County Durham man could be cystic fibrosis first

Nick Talbot's climbing Mount Everest and could be the first person with cystic fibrosis to reach the summit.

Published 11th May 2016

A County Durham man with cystic fibrosis is continuing his trek up Mount Everest, a year on from his brush with an avalanche.

Nick Tablot has cystic fibrosis and could become the first person with the condition to reach the summit.

It's the 39-year-old's third attempt at taking on the highest mountain in the world, after last year's climb ended in disaster.

Nick's team was caught up in an avalanche triggered by last April's Nepal earthquake.

He suffered broken ribs and hypothermia and was brought back to the UK.

Nick isn't letting the experience affect his confidence and spoke to us from his camp.

He said:

"It's one of those life-changing moments when the earth starts to move around you and you're faced with a 300 metre high wall of snow and ice.

"I'm hoping to be in suitable physical condition because each time you go up it takes a certain amount out of you.

"We're looking to build our experience and get a weather window which will allow us to do a round trip to the summit.

"We need the wind to ease a bit at the top because at the moment it would blow us off.

"We'd expect the winds to die down in a week to 10 days and will hopefully give us that opportunity.

"Hopefully this year we'll be natural disaster free."

Nick's already raised over £78,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, but is hoping to hit the £100,000 target.

You can donate at www.virginmoneygiving.com/CFvs.Everest