RJ7 Managing Director Rhys Jones led the climb, and said this of Josephat’s efforts: “I’ll admit that when I first met Josephat I was concerned, not only because of his beanpole legs but also because he openly admitted to having never walked up a hill in his life. Despite this, he remains the most determined person I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, and he completed the climb with an infectious enthusiasm and fantastic sense of humour. Seeing him deliver his speech into the camera on the summit was one of the most memorable and moving events of my life”. The film was screened on BBC2 on Tuesday 27th November. Watch it on BBC iPlayer over the next week as it’s UK title “ Albino Witchcraft Murders”. A massive congratulations to Josephat, Harry, Martin and everyone who worked on the film for their great achievement.

RJ7 ON TOP OF THE WORLD!

RJ7 Expeditions flag on top of Everest!

We’ve been working with Jakob and Mille for about six months, preparing them for their dream to climb the world’s highest mountain. Rarely have I met anybody who has the same drive and determination as these two. As relative newbies to climbing last winter, we had some very frank discussions about the feasibility of them climbing the mountain. Seemingly unfazed, instead of taking the easy option and deciding it would to be too difficult/ dangerous/ time consuming, they decided to go for it....

Since that first meeting, I’ve been helping them along the way. We put together a great training programme that saw them climbing around the world. One month after our second meeting I flew to Ecuador with the two of them with some ambitious plans to fast-track their high altitude experience and technical ability. We spent Christmas Day around the volcanoes of Ecuador and despite so much terrible weather, they summited Cotopaxi. 

A few weeks later, they were back to South America, further South, where they climbed Aconcagua, the highest peak on the continent. On that occasion, Mille reached the top and Jakob was so close. In fact he turned back at the same point where I’d retreated on my first attempt, at around 6,700m.

Then after barely touching down in the UK, I was bumping in to them in Arusha, Tanzania, after their successful (and extraordinarily fast!) climb of Kilimanjaro. By now they were looking fitter, tougher, but of course Mille as glamorous as ever and Jakob modelling outdoor gear that made even me jealous. 

The last time we got together was in Jakob’s garden, setting up ladders across trees to simulate the famous crevasse crossings in the Khumbu Icefall. Everest was just around the corner and starting to feel very real for them. 

And then, they send this picture. Jakob and the RJ7 flag on top of Everest. Phenomenal.

It hadn’t been an easy climb for them (it never is). Once again they had some bad luck with weather, and were ready to leave Camp 4 at almost 8,000m for the top, when it was aborted due to storm force winds. They descended to Camp 2, and Mille to Base Camp. To make a 2nd attempt is a huge task, but Jakob rested just a few days at 6,400m before heading back up to Camp 4, from where he reached summit and descended to Camp 2 the same day. There are some fantastic accounts from Mille watching it all from Base Camp, which are all on their website. 

Now, Jakob and Mille are back together, safe and enjoying the luxuries of life at sea level. In a couple of days they’ll be home with their children and loved ones who will have been nervously watching from the sidelines. 

Guys, if you’re reading this, know how proud I am of you both for making good decisions and for climbing higher than most people will ever dream of. Enjoy the celebrations, the summer and basking in the experience as you look back. 

I’m proud to have helped, and I hope that the experiences I have shared from my climbs helped you on yours. Well done. See you in the UK.

Jakob and Mille are hoping to raise £50,000 for UNICEF through their climbing efforts around the world - please donate to their "50/50 Challenge" by visiting their donations page here!

- Rhys