Rest In Peace Deepen

I should pay tribute to Deepen Rai who was sadly killed on Friday in a plane crash in Nepal. This is the same crash that has been covered in all of the British press. Deepen was leading a group to Everest Base Camp.

Deepen was our guide last year on the trip to trek up Stok Kangri. He was an amazing guy. He taught us about the local Ladakh culture, about Buddhism, about how to look after ourselves on the trip. He also cared for us 24/7. The guy was up at 1am knocking snow off our tent so that we didn't get wet!

He also gave us some awesome coaching to give us the spirit and determination to get up the 6,150m peak. When we were looking at the peak one evening he said, 'It's tough, but not impossible.' To give us the right walking speed he would say, 'Slowly, slowly, catch the monkey.' He also affectionately nicknamed me 'Mr Pee' as I couldn't hold my bladder!

Rest In Peace Deepen Rai - your facebook page already has a flurry of touching tributes. You have made, I'm sure, a lasting impact with the hundreds of trekkers who have been lucky to have had you as a guide.

He leaves behind a wife and two sons and I pray for them to be comforted in this most difficult time.

Rest In Peace Deepen Rai xxx