- Hiscox UK Chief Operating Officer, Alan Millard sheds the suit and attempts to climb Everest -
London, UK (15 March, 2011): This March Alan Millard takes a break from his day job as Chief Operating Officer at specialist insurer Hiscox UK, to attempt his long term dream of climbing Mount Everest. The gruelling expedition will take two and a half months, culminating in a summit attempt at the end of May.
Alan comments: “As an insurance company we specialise in understanding risks and advising on strategies to mitigate them. Climbing Everest will be the riskiest activity I have ever attempted so I have worked hard to make sure that I am prepared for all circumstances.”
Alan and his expedition will take a helicopter ride from Katmandu to Lukla airport, and trek up the Khumbu valley for 11 days to reach Everest Base Camp. They then spend up to two months at base camp doing practice climbs, preparing the higher camps, and generally getting used to the altitude.
“As part of my intense training programme, I became the 11th British person to successfully climb Manaslu at 8156m. But it isn’t just about the physical preparation, it’s also understanding how much stress you can take mentally. Once you attempt the summit you have to stay focused or there can be horrific consequences.”
“Apart from the general threat of exposure and altitude sickness, the biggest risk in climbing Everest is probably the Khumbu ice fall between Base Camp and Camp 1. This is a constantly moving glacier which is heavily broken up into crevasses and ice walls with a high risk of avalanche from the hanging seracs above.”
“From my twenties I have found climbing rewarding, stretching myself physically and mentally. It is a change from the office and kept things at work in perspective as well as giving me invaluable skills. Reaching a peak like this takes motivation, endurance and belief that you can make it.”
To follow Alan’s progress visit his blog where he will be updating regularly on his experiences: http://everestexpedition2011.co.uk/about/
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For further information please contact:
Hiscox Ltd
| Johanna Boland | Group Communications | +44 (0) 207 448 6494 | [email protected] |
About Hiscox
Hiscox, the international specialist insurer, is headquartered in Bermuda and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:HSX). There are three main underwriting parts of the Group - Hiscox London Market, Hiscox UK and Europe and Hiscox International. Hiscox London Market underwrites internationally traded business in the London Market - generally large or complex business which needs to be shared with other insurers or needs the international licences of Lloyd's. Hiscox UK and Hiscox Europe offer a range of specialist insurance for professionals and business customers, as well as high net worth individuals. Hiscox International includes operations in Bermuda, Guernsey and USA. Hiscox Insurance Company Limited, Hiscox Underwriting Limited, Hiscox Europe Underwriting Limited and Hiscox Syndicates Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
For further information, visit www.hiscox.com
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