A Cumbrian climbing icon has vowed to fulfil a promise made by a friend in the Himalayas.
Sir Chris Bonington, Britain's most renowned mountaineer, will rally behind a project his friend Doug Scott started before his death.
This initiative aims to preserve and celebrate Himalayan traditions.
With a climbing career that began in the 1950s and a major role in the outdoor industry, Mr Bonington turned 90 years old on Tuesday, August 6.
Although no longer able to climb, he plans to support the restoration of the Sherpa Heritage House, which was severely damaged in a 2015 earthquake.
Chris at his high point on Everest in 1975 (Image: Chris Bonington Picture Library)
This house is a historical site in Khumjung, Nepal, where Mr Scott himself promised to raise funds to rebuild it.
Mr Bonington has also been an ambassador for Berghaus.
Reflecting on his climbing days, he said: "I can’t climb like I did any more, but that doesn’t mean that my spirit of adventure has diminished.
"My dear friend Doug made a promise to our great friend Pertemba, and I intend to see that it is kept."
Chris Bonington aged 15 on his first ever climb (Image: Chris Bonington Picture Library)
Mr Bonington plans to continue his support for the necessary work, hoping to turn the house into a museum.
Centred on his bond with the Sherpa culture, he added: "We must never let the pivotal role that the Sherpa community plays in Himalayan expeditions go unseen.
"The house is a physical demonstration of that and a crucial part of sustaining the relationship between visiting climbers and local Sherpas, which plays such a fundamental role in the Nepalese economy."
Sir Chris Bonington at 90, at home in the Lake District (Image: Supplied)
Mr Bonington, who was at one time close friends with legendary summiteer Pertemba Sherpa, now has a new goal.
He wants to fulfil Mr Scott's ambition to honour and restore the Sherpa Heritage House.
The project is backed by Community Action Nepal (CAN), founded by Mr Scott, which aims to uplift and support Himalayan communities.
Mr Bonington said: "Community Action Nepal has been doing wonderful work for 30 years, and the restoration of the Sherpa Heritage House is of critical importance.
"I was so fortunate to be immersed in the traditional Nepalese and Sherpa culture during my expeditions to the Himalayas, and it is vital to preserve that during a modern era where so much about climbing has changed.
"We must never let the pivotal role that the Sherpa community plays in Himalayan expeditions go unseen.
"The house is a physical demonstration of that and a crucial part of sustaining the relationship between visiting climbers and local Sherpas, which plays such a fundamental role in the Nepalese economy."
Sir Chris Bonington and his son Rupert in the Lake District (Image: Supplied)
In his reflections on reaching the milestone age of 90, Mr Bonington felt grateful for the experiences in his life and shared joy in having his family join him for a Lakeland walk.
He said: "I’m grateful that I’ve had such a full, and fulfilling life, and have been able to spend so much of it indulging in my love of climbing and the outdoors.
"Through that, I have met so many great people and organisations and formed some deep friendships.
"Having reached the age of 90, I have seen a huge amount of national and political change, and I think that gives me a balanced view of the challenges that we all face today."
Funding is needed for them to complete the second phase which targets the transformation of the house into a museum and teahouse, aiming to raise the income of the community.
Donations can be made by visiting canepal.org.uk/support-us.
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