Tony on top of the world

For Hedland resident Tony Hore, sheer cliff drops, freezing temperatures and a flight into one of the most dangerous airports in the world were part of conquering a dream.

Last month, after training for a year and a half, Mr Hore found himself literally on top of the world at Mt Everest base camp.

Over 15 days, the 43-year-old trekked 120km, battling frustration from the continual need to acclimatise and days of altitude sickness, to reach 5600m above sea level.

“It was amazing, it was very tough, ” he said. “The first four to five days I was just smashing it.

“But the higher you get, the colder it gets; the more altitude, the less oxygen; and I think on about day eight (altitude sickness) got me.

“They reckon about 15 per cent of people on the same trek path as we did don’t make it past (that stage).”

Having suffered severe headaches, back pain and nausea in the three days prior, Mr Hore found arriving at base camp a moving experience.

“I was very emotional, the guide put his arm around me and said ‘we’ve made it’, ” he said.

Not only was Mr Hore in awe of the ever-changing scenery, he found the Nepalese guides and porters inspirational.

“The weather was beautiful, every morning we woke up it was sunny so we were really fortunate, ” he said. “(Our guide) had done base camp over 30 times and the porter about five times.

“I was really impressed with those guys, they’re carrying 30kg.

“Our porter was the guide’s younger brother, he was only 17 and still at school, and he couldn’t speak much English at all but I’d make his day each day by buying him a Mars Bar.”

Happy to be back in the heat of the Pilbara, Mr Hore is yet to decide where his next adventure will take him.