An MP is set to embark on an extraordinary challenge to climb Mount Everest and return to London within just seven days, aiming to raise awareness and vital funds for veteran welfare.
Alistair Carns, Minister for Veterans and People, will undertake the mission in May alongside three special forces veterans, with the ambitious goal of raising £1 million for armed forces and veterans’ charities.
The former Royal Marines colonel and his team plan to reach Everest Base Camp in just a day and a half, scale the 8,848-metre-high summit within three days, and then descend, recover, and fly back to the UK—all within the span of a single week.
A mission for the military community
Speaking ahead of the expedition, Mr Carns, 44, highlighted the significance of the challenge, saying:
“Our objective is to unify the military community, especially the veterans who have served King and country, and to raise funds for their charities, particularly those supporting the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms.”
Carns, who joined the Royal Marines at the age of 19, served multiple combat tours in Afghanistan during his 24-year military career. Recognised for his exceptional operational service, he was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours. He later transitioned into politics, winning the Birmingham Selly Oak parliamentary seat in July 2024.
A high-risk, high-speed expedition
The challenge will be led by Major Garth Miller, 51, an experienced high-altitude mountaineer with a history of climbing Everest and other 8,000-metre peaks.
Unlike traditional Everest expeditions, which take weeks or even months due to the acclimatisation process, the team will be relying on a combination of cutting-edge technology and extreme physical conditioning to complete the ascent in record time.
The team has been undergoing rigorous training, including spending hundreds of hours sleeping in specially adapted hypoxic tents that mimic the oxygen levels found at high altitudes. This pre-acclimatisation method is designed to reduce the risk of altitude sickness, which remains one of the greatest dangers for climbers attempting such a rapid ascent.
Additionally, the climbers will use state-of-the-art altitude training masks and simulated high-altitude exercises to prepare their bodies for the severe conditions they will face on Everest.
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The challenge of speed climbing Everest
Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak, presents extreme challenges even for the most experienced climbers. The dangers include sub-zero temperatures, hurricane-force winds, and the notorious “Death Zone” above 8,000 metres, where the air is so thin that the human body begins to deteriorate.
Traditional climbers spend weeks acclimatising at various camps along the route, but Mr Carns and his team plan to cut that time down significantly, using pre-acclimatisation techniques and a meticulously planned high-speed route.
Experts have warned that such an approach carries substantial risks, but the team remains confident in their training and strategy.
Aiming for a £1 million fundraising goal
The expedition seeks to raise £1 million for charities supporting veterans and their families, with donations going to organisations that provide mental health support, rehabilitation services, and financial aid to former military personnel.
Carns and his team hope that their extreme challenge will inspire people to contribute and help improve the lives of veterans who have served their country.
As the expedition date approaches, the team will continue their intensive preparations, with their eyes set on not just reaching the summit of the world’s highest mountain, but also making a lasting impact for the military community.
