Two weeks to Everest

Ahmed, a former Olympic swimmer, trains in the sea for his trek to Mount Everest in Nepal.

Many thanks to Shaari, who took this photo of Ahmed a few days ago and only asked for a bottle of passionfruit juice as payment.

We're using the photo to seek sponsors for this adventure, which we will be filming on high definition. In two weeks, we'll be heading off to Trivandrum from where we catch a train to the Nepali border. Once in Kathmandu and acclimatised, we'll fly to a mountain airstrip in the village of Lukla from where our 3 week trek will start. We intend to climb up to 5.600 metres and cross a snowy mountain pass during the trek.

We can tie flags emblazoned with sponsor logos at the highest point of the trek, where they'll flutter in the shadow of Mount Eversest!

Currently in our last stages of the physical training, we've taken to climbing up and down stairs and walking several kilometres carrying loads of 10kg.

More updates to follow.

Hulhumale walk this Saturday

Fancy a modest physical challenge this weekend? Join me and swimmer Ahmed (Narcu is away) this Saturday afternoon on Hulhumale as we take up our second challenge for our planned November trek in the Himalaya. The Saturday challenge for us involves three legs round Hulhumale carrying 8kg in our backpacks. But others who just want to give us some company for all or part of the walk needn't carry any weight except water.

We start the walk at 4pm outside Hulhumale ferry terminal and will be walking counter-clockwise on the main road round the island, expecting to finish around 7pm.

Please wear good shoes and bring at least 2 litres of water in a backpack if you plan to do the full walk, preferably mixed with ORS. Also, some dried fruit during the walk will fuel the exercise.

We might also go somewhere to gorge a meal after the walk!