Adrian Hayes, Regional Sales Director of Airbus fulfils a life-long dream on 1 April, when he embarks on a two-month journey that will take him to the peak of Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. If he succeeds, Hayes will be one of only two people from the region to have accomplished this feat.
Hayes joins seven other experienced mountaineers from the US, UK, Australia and India on a carefully selected team put together by Ice 8000, a UK-based company that organises climbs to the Himalayas. “I first seriously thought about climbing Mt. Everest seven years back when I gazed at it from the top of a 6400 metre peak in Nepal” said Hayes. “I’ve been in through all sorts of rigorous physical adventures in all my life, and climbing Everest was a natural ultimate goal. After 3 years of serious planning I now have the opportunity to realise that dream.”
With the generous support of main sponsors Al Tayer Motors/Land Rover and co-sponsors Shell and Rolls Royce Aerospace, Hayes has been able to plan meticulously and train intensively for the climb, including hiking in the mountains of Ras Al Khaymah or Hatta every week with a heavy backpack, rock climbing - he is an active member of UAE Rock Climbing Group - and competing in triathlons, adventure races, road races, and fitness competitions, among others. He has been scaling mountains since his 20s, and has climbed in many areas around the world, including three Himalayan Expeditions in the past 5 years.
“We are delighted to support Adrian on his expedition. The toughness and determination to succeed shown by him are something that we at Al Tayer Motors and Land Rover resonate clearly as a company and as a brand. We wish him a safe and rewarding journey,” said Ashok Khanna, General Manager at Al Tayer Motors.
Many have tried in the past, but only a few have had the opportunity of reaching the top. “It’s fair to say I’ve been training like a bit of a nutter for this,” quipped Hayes, who is very upbeat about the whole project despite the difficulties involved in such a trip.
Being fluent in Nepalese (along with Arabic and Malay), from his former life as a Gurkha Officer and special forces soldier in the British Army Hayes will be able converse freely with the villagers and Sherpas during the journey. “It will be a homecoming of sorts for me, and I’m looking forward to a rewarding experience being able to interact with the natives,” added Hayes.
His family, colleagues at Airbus, and sponsors from Al Tayer Motors/Land Rover, Shell and Rolls Royce Aerospace will be able to monitor Hayes’ progress through a special link on www.ice8000.com .
Although Hayes has been climbing since he was 20 years old, Mt. Everest presents its unique challenges that require mental, physical and emotional toughness, in addition to highly specialised equipment to make sure Hayes is safe throughout the challenging journey. Fortunately, Hayes comes into this trip with a wealth of experience, having climbed different mountain environments in the European Alps, Scotland, North America, Kenya, New Zealand, Norway, Japan, and the Himalayas.
Back in 1984, Hayes led a canoeing expedition to Canada’s North West Territories, navigating the Mackenzie River from Inuvic to the Arctic Coast. An all-round sportsman, Hayes has excelled in rugby, soccer, fitness competitions, and triathlons, making him more than physically capable of taking on the greatest challenge of his life. But while all the physical training will be of good use, in such a journey sharp instincts and mental endurance, as well as sheer determination will be of greater help.
Working to Hayes advantage is his Gurkha experience, having served for eight years as a Gurkha Officer in the British Army, together with three years service in a Special Forces Regiment contributing to his physical and mental toughness.
