South Shields adventurer flies into Nepal to finally complete mountain mission

Globe-trotting Steve Berry has clocked up more air miles in a fresh bid to conquer the formidable Ama Dablam – a year after extreme weather forced him to abandon his bid to scale the Nepalese peak.

The 60-year-old set off from South Shields on Friday and arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday to start preparations for the energy-sapping expedition.

Mr. Berry, from Central Avenue, in South Shields, is joined again on the journey by trusted climbing partner Ray Smith.

The duos are determined to complete some unfinished business after their trek last October was tinged with tragedy.

Freak blizzards and a massive avalanche brought their plans to a halt – and a fellow climber was killed in an accident while Steven and Ray were moving up the daunting 6,800 meter -high peak.

Their second shot at scaling new heights has already got off to a better start – with the duo fully equipped for the challenges that lie in wait.

Last year, they faced a major setback ahead of their bid to scale Nepal’s Ama Dablam when vital climbing kit failed to make the journey with them – only to be gratefully recovered a couple of days later.

Mr. Berry said; “We have arrived in Kathmandu –along with all of our kit – which was a relief compared to last year.”

The pair has been busily buying supplies for the expedition and will complete a nine-day trek to Island Peak in the region before tackling Ama Dablam.