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A nine-year-old British boy has completed the adventure of a lifetime, conquering a demanding 12-day trek to Mount Everest Base Camp alongside his father.
Koushik Roy / Unsplash
According to reports by BBC Derby, Rio, from Spondon in Derby, reached the famed altitude of 5,364m (17,598ft) on 15 November, earning cheers and congratulations from trekkers from around the world as he stepped onto the plateau beneath the world’s highest peak.
For his dad, Jake, the moment was deeply emotional. “I cried happy tears,” he said. “You dream of experiences like this, but living it with your child makes it unforgettable.”
A trek that tested even the adults
The pair climbed for at least six hours every day, navigating thinning air and steep ascents as they moved deeper into the Himalayas. Jake, 34, said the altitude posed the biggest challenge. “Breathing became so tough the higher we went. The first big climb up to Namche Bazaar was brutal, we gained more than 1,000 metres in a single day.”
Fuelled by what they affectionately called “munch bags” — a mix of flapjacks, raisins, biscuits, chocolates and trail snacks — their daily routine was simple but relentless.
“We were up at 06:00, grabbed breakfast and climbed until dinner,” Jake explained. “It felt like doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks every day, or climbing Ben Nevis, up and down, again and again.”
An unexpected start
Their adventure began with a twist. A scheduled flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, one of the world’s most notoriously challenging airports, was cancelled due to weather. Instead, father and son were whisked to the start of the route by helicopter.
“We weren’t expecting it, so it made the start of the trek even more exciting,” Jake said.
At the highest point they recorded, the oxygen levels dropped to 76%, yet Rio pushed through confidently.
A young trekker with big ambition
Despite his age, Rio brought plenty of experience to the trail. He had already summited Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge.
Jake admitted he expected to carry his son’s pack at some point but never needed to. The nine-year-old insisted on carrying his own five-kilogram day pack, filled with water, snacks, gloves and waterproofs.
“He wanted to show he was self-sufficient. I was so proud of him,” Jake said. “We had so many laughs and a few tough moments, but the best part was sharing the adventure together.”
With Everest Base Camp now checked off, Rio is already dreaming up his next challenge. “It was epic,” he said and the future looks full of further adventures.
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