Unknown territory for Alan Manor man

ALAN MANOR –  Ama Dablam is known as one of the most impressive mountains in the world, not for its altitude, but for its beauty. What made this climb unusual is the fact Gerhard is blind.

“Thirteen years ago I climbed Kilimanjaro and invited my brother-in-law, David Condra, who lives in America and this year he thought he’d return the favour and invited me to climb Ama Dablam with him,” laughed Gerhard.

David flew from the USA to Doha, with 10 friends and Gerhard joined them there. They then flew to Katmandu and on to Lukla.

“Once we arrived I think what got me most, apart from the amazing scenery, was the lack of vehicles. Pathways are very narrow and to think all the building materials which were used to build houses, etc, had been carried in on the people’s backs and by Dzokyo’s, which are an animal crossed between a yak and a cow.

“We walked for four days and I had to rely on a guide to steer me in the right direction, as well as to tell me when to lift my feet when the going became rocky. It was quite an experience. We slept in a lodge in little village on the fourth night and after the fifth day of climbing reached base camp of Ama Dablam.

“One of the men had brought his daughter’s ashes to scatter and when we reached the halfway point we came upon a shrine and Buddist monks held a very moving ceremony.

“I have to say, going up was much easier than climbing down and I was on the elbow of a guide all the way. It was very frightening at times as the pathway was extremely rocky and with me not being able to see, my guide was constantly telling me to carefully step down.

“We were very fortunate and had beautiful weather for most of the up and down climb but at night temperatures dropped rapidly,” said Gerhard.

David flew back to the USA and Gerhard home to South Africa. “David’s wife, my sister Estelle, who is also blind had come over to SA while I was climbing and it was great having some time together on my return.”

Estelle’s story

Both Estelle and Gerhard were born with very poor eyesight which gradually deteriorated. Estelle may not have climbed mountains but she has led an extremely interesting life.

She trained as a dramatic artist in South Africa before going to London, UK for a year. “I’ve spent most of my life in the theatre and had my own drama school for four years in SA. By the time I was 40 years old my sight was getting worse and at 52 I was completely blind,” she said.  She has written a successful children’s book and still writes.

“Being blind hasn’t stopped either of us from leading a full and exciting life,” they agreed, “and we still plan on doing much more.”