Young adventurer returning to Himalayas against all odds

A young adventurer from Chester is to return to the worlds’ highest mountain range, despite being caught up in an avalanche on Mount Everest just last year.

Alex Staniforth, 21, was caught up in a devastating avalanche in 2015 that claimed 22 lives during his second expedition to reach the summit.

Alex is no stranger to obstacles though, he has Epilepsy and has suffered with anxiety and depression throughout his life. He was also bullied during school for his confidence -sapping stammer. However, he decided to fight back by throwing himself into outdoor challenges.

The adventurer, who is also now a motivational speaker, departs for a seven-week expedition to climb the sixth highest peak in the world, Cho Oyu, on the 28th August. The peak is an impressive 8,201 metres (26,906ft) high and his gruelling training regime has included a recent 24-hour solo bike ride to Devon where he covered over 268 miles.

For his Cho Oyu exhibition he will be supporting mental health charity Young Minds, the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. Driven by their experiences they campaign, research and influence policy and practice.

Talking about his latest challenge, Alex said: “Cho Oyu will be an exciting opportunity to return to the high mountains and explore somewhere new. It’s been good to get focused on training again.”

“Such challenges have a strange calling and the passion does not go away easily. As a sufferer of mental health problems myself, I am especially proud to be bringing such an important cause on the journey with me – there is simply not enough help available out there to meet a growing demand”.

Alex also released a book titled Icefall: The True Story of a Teenager on a Mission to the Top of the World in March 2016 where he describes his determination to succeed that lead him to facing Mount Everest at just 18 years old.

The 21-year-old is supported by The Westgrove Group in Warrington as their young ambassador. He was also behind ‘Walk4Nepal’ which saw 120 people climb Snowdon marking the one-year anniversary of the disaster. The walk managed to raise over £20,000 for the earthquake victims.

The young adventurer believes that overcoming adversity is what drives him to make a difference to others. On his website, he describes himself as passionate about living to give something back, not to simply exist. He said: “I want to fulfil my potential in a conventional world when young people are expected to follow the beaten path, and I feel obliged to make as much difference as I can in the process.”

Alex’s other achievements include raising over £29,000 for various charities since pursuing his Everest ambitions and also had the honour of being a London 2012 Olympic torchbearer through his home town of Chester. In 2013, he was also awarded the Diana Award for ‘Courageous Citizen’.

Follow Alex’s journey via his website here. You can donate to his charity page here.