The Pennines may not boast the highest mountains in the UK, let alone the world, but intrepid Yorkshire mountaineers are still planning a local climb of 29,000 ft on May 29 to mark the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest.

Twenty nine mountaineers and support walkers will mount a charity expedition, on May 29 - which also happens to be Ascension Day - each climbing the 1000ft from Hebden Bridge to Stoodley Pike to make a total of 29,000 feet, equivalent to the height of Everest.

The event is being coordinated by Calderdale Mountaineering Club, to raise money for the Sir Edmund Hillary Himalayan Trust UK and the Cash for Cargo Fund, a local charity sending good outdoor clothing to Sherpa communities in Nepal.

On the way, the walkers will stop for a drink - a 'Khumbu Icefall' - and once at the summit will perform a ' Hillary two-step'. At 8.30pm, at the summit, a message will be read out from George Lowe, from the original Everest expedition, who opened up the route up to the South Col for Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. In addition to endorsing the event, George Lowe has signed some commemorative Everest 'perpetual' calendars, which will be up for sale on the day.

The group is meeting at 6pm for a 7pm start in the car park near the Tourist Information Centre in Hebden Bridge. All are welcome to come along and support the event by taking part or donating to the charities.

For more information, contact:

Abigail Chard, Calderdale Mountaineering Club 07960 448 532
Paul Taylor, Calderdale Mountaineering Club: 01422 846 499 or 07899 048 843

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