Lord Forsyth will be supported on the Mount Vinson climb by David Hamilton (right) one of the world's leading high-altitude mountain guides. A professional expedition leader since 1987, he has led more than 100 climbing, trekking and skiing projects in the world's great mountain ranges.
David has guided 20 separate expeditions to Himalayan peaks higher than 7,500m; 12 of them to peaks over 8,000m. Included in this total are five trips to Mount Everest in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2009 and David is one of the few people who has climbed to the summit of Everest from both the Nepalese and Tibetan sides. In 2003 he led the expedition that enabled Sibusiso Vilane to become the first black African to summit Mount Everest. In 2005 his clients included veteran British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
His expeditions over the years have visited most of the world's major mountain ranges, from the Himalayas to the European Alps, the Russian Caucasus and the Andes of South America, and to the mountains of East Africa and the frozen wastes Antarctica. He has organised and led expeditions in Nepal, Pakistan, China, Greenland, Norway, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Russia, Mongolia, Turkey, Iran, Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, USA and Antarctica.
He has climbed each of the continental ‘Seven Summits’ more than once: Everest (four times), Aconcagua (three times), Denali (twice), Kilimanjaro (four times), Elbrus (three times), Vinson (12 times) and Carstensz (twice).
David has worked as guide in Antarctica for six seasons, leading a variety of mountaineering and ski projects for Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE), including four ‘Last Degree’ to the South Pole ski expeditions and 12 ascents of Mount Vinson. For much of the year he runs his own guiding business High Adventure and he works in Antarctica for ALE.
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