Local knitwear worker Jim Amos was due to return to Hawick yesterday (Thursday) after completing a lung-busting climb up one of the world’s highest mountains.
Jim, 59, who is a Shima worker at Shorts of Hawick, reached the Island Peak base camp in the Himalayas last Wednesday and after a gruelling climb scaled the 6189m summit of Island Peak just seven miles from Mount Everest.
Describing the moment he reached the peak, Jim said: “It was a dream come true. I used one last burst of energy, one last push to the summit, I stood on top for about 20 minutes, taking in the view and I was shaking with what I had achieved.”
The former Drumlanrig Primary School pupil became interested in hill walking in 1990 and has completed a mammoth 182 Munros in the process. The father of two said: “I went to Glen Coe in 1990 with my brother Tam, and the climbing part came around 1996. I needed to learn to climb as I wanted to do the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye.”
He was inspired to attempt the Island Peak after taking some advice from another local adventurer Wullie Torrie who had reached Everest Base Camp last year.
Jim, who lives at Green Terrace with his partner Kerry McCutcheon said: “I spotted the Himalayan treks through a company called Spiritual Excursions and saw that they did excursions up two mountains Mera Peak and Island Peak and my mind was made up.
“I thought I was okay fitness wise but when Mark Huggan invited me down to the gym to test my core fitness I realised I needed to train for the trek. This included swimming, five-weeks of core training and doing the Munros and I’m glad I did, I can’t thank him enough.”
Jim flew out to Nepal on October 4 and reached the Island Peak base camp on October 16. Describing the climb Jim said: “I had a Sherpa and climbing guide from Chhukhung with me for the ascent, part of the training included learning to use a Jumar (ascending device). Our climb began at 1am, complete with head torches at minus-16c which made for good walking conditions.
“We set off at a trot up the valley floor. The terrain was a bit like Cuillin Ridge, which included a bit scrambling and hands on stuff. When we reached the crampon point, the helmets and harness were on and the ice axe was out.”
Jim continued: We moved together with a 20-metre rope over huge blocks of ice, then on to a long snow field which took a good 20 minutes to cross before we reached the wall itself and started ascending. By this time my calves and thighs were burning as were my lungs and I honestly thought, I’m not going to make this, but my mentality changed, and I was like, come on Jim, do this.
“One last burst of energy and I was thrilled to have reached the summit.”
The hill walker admits he has not targeted any further peaks adding: “I certainly have no immediate future plans, and my partner Kerry may not even let me.”
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