Slurs are the height of nonsense, says climber

Jun 26 2005 Exclusive By Sarah Robertson, Sunday Sun

Mountaineer Alan Hinkes has spoken out for the first time over claims he has not climbed one of the 14 highest mountains in the world . . . the feat that put him in the record books.

The North hero said he was "sick and tired" of bogus theories on websites alleging he never made it to the summit of Cho Oyu, in the Himalayas, in 1990.

He was part of a team of climbers who met bad fog and cloud on a plateau just short of the peak.

While the rest turned back, Alan continued for an hour during which time he says he reached the summit, although he has no photographic proof.

He said: "I've never responded before because I am not interested in it or acknowledging these websites.

"I do not know how they can say I have not done it? It is their word against mine. Anyone can go around claiming someone hasn't or has done something.

"Where's their proof? It's just rubbish. In 1990 I had not even decided to climb all 14 summits so why would I lie about it?

"To be honest it is just tittle tattle from people who, in my opinion, have nothing better to do.

"I am happy and confident of myself and my achievement and back then it was accepted that I had climbed the mountain, so why have they suddenly decided that now I haven't?"

When he conquered Kangchenjunga in Nepal last month, Alan became the first Brit, and only the 13th person ever, to scale the world's 14 highest summits, all over 8000 metres.

Alan, 51, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, flies back to the UK today from Nepal, and he revealed he may even climb Cho Oyu again and Mount Everest . . . for fun.

He added: "I'm a climber and I do this, not because of the challenge, but because I like to climb.

"I thought I was going to die on the top of that mountain. It was only when I got back down to base camp that it sunk in what I had done and I got a sense of satisfaction.

"I climb for myself and my integrity and I would not be able to live with myself if I had lied about Cho Oyu.

"Ironically, it's the easiest of all the 14 mountains, so if I couldn't climb that, how could I climb any of the others?

"In fact, I am thinking about climbing it and Everest again because it's something I want to do, not because I haven't done it before."

Honour a true peak performer

The Sunday Sun has called on the people of the North to help make Alan a knight of the realm as a reward for his exploits.

We even received backing from Prime Minister Tony Blair's office which urged our readers to make nominations to the Honours Committee.

"Anyone can make a nomination of any individual who they believe deserved to be credited," a spokesman said.

"The nomination then goes to a committee which draws up a shortlist which is then passed to the Prime Minister for approval before he hands it to the Queen."

You can nominate Alan for the award by visiting the cabinet website on http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ceremonial/nominations/how_to_nom.asp and downloading the nomination form.

Or you can request an nomination form by writing to the Ceremonial Secretariat, Cabinet Office, 35 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BQ.