Long way to the top for Everest Base Camp climber Lee Nuttall

Lee Nuttall was staring down 50, and decided to lose 50kg and take on a 130km 12-day trek to Everest Base Camp. It was a life-changing journey.

Lee Nuttall at Everest Base Camp.

Sitting on his co-worker’s desk was a magnificent photo from her recent trek to Mt Everest Base Camp, and it was that image that inspired Lee Nuttall to lace up his hiking boots.

But it was a hard slog for the 50-year-old from Scarborough who, at the start of his 18-month journey, weighed 117kg.

“I said to myself, I want to see Mt Everest with my own eyes,” he says.

“It was my 50th birthday coming – I wanted to do something amazing. Something extraordinary, something I can say: ‘I did that’. I have three grown-up sons and I want them to be proud of their dad.”

Lee says he knew he would never make it to Everest Base Camp without a serious fitness overhaul.

“I put myself on a strict diet and walked a minimum of 20,000 steps a day. And then as the weight came off, I started running.

“By September 2018, I had lost 50kg in total. My dream of seeing Mt Everest and trekking to Everest Base Camp was now a real possibility.”

He then started hiking up the Glasshouse Mountains, doing long-distance running, stair climbs and 500 sit-ups every day.

“I had amazing support from my wife who encouraged my fitness plan and inspired me when I needed a boost.

“I also had the support of my co-worker Liana who taught me how to trek by taking me on practice mountain climbs.”

A sign to Mt Everest Base Camp.

On April 12, Lee embarked on the journey of a lifetime to complete his mission to ascend Mt Everest. But it almost ended in calamity.

A small propeller plane journey to Lukla airport (the most dangerous airport in the world) ended with a dramatic landing in the small village of Phablo.

“There was no curtain or wall separating the passengers from the pilot. I was sitting behind the co-pilot and I could see the pilot wrestle with the plane as the shaking got worse. Suddenly a mechanical voice boomed from the cockpit: “Terrain – pull up, terrain – pull up” and then a loud alarm sounded, as the plane suddenly rolled left and dropped altitude abruptly. I thought the plane was going down … then the wheels smacked ground, and the plane lurched to a stop.”

The following day they continued on to Lukla Airport and when he disembarked Lee says he saw the wreckage of a plane still on the tarmac.

Now his 130km 12-day trek would begin in earnest, and his extensive training would be put to the test.

“It was tough; physically and mentally. This high-altitude climb is dangerous, as many people get attitude sickness and need to come back down.

“It was long days of trekking 12 hours in subzero temperatures.

“It was -12C the day I walked in to Everest Base Camp. It had been a 18-month journey to get there and I did it. It was very emotional for me and exciting that I made it.”

Lee Nuttall on his way to Everest Base camp.

Mt Everest Base Camp is 5380m above sea level, twice as high as Mt Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest mountain.

Lee says it was the “adventure of a lifetime”.

“The Himalayas have a special magic to them and being among these massive mountains is truly a life-changing experience,” he says.

“I have also inspired many people around me, which I didn’t expect.”

Lee is now back in training to conquer another mountain. This time he is heading to Africa to take on Mt Kilimanjaro.

“This is another high-altitude climb that is also very challenging and dangerous.

“People ask why another big climb, and I say ‘why not’.”

Lee says taking on Everest requires both physical and mental toughness, “but with the right training it is achievable”.

“If anyone thinks that it’s too hard to lose weight and get fit or it’s too late – look at me. At age 50 I am living proof that dreams really do come true.

“You literally need to just take that first step and the rest is all down hill.”