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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

It is humbling that so many people have encouraged and helped me with this book. There are far too many to name check individually so let me begin with a big thank you to you unsung heroes.

To the many people with whom I have shared the hills and climbed routes, often experiencing epics along the way, ‘Cheers’ for the great mountain days. To my many sponsors over the years who made it all possible: your help is greatly appreciated, thank you.

My Grandma deserves a mention – she put up with her grandson risking his life for months on end in the last years of hers – as does Fiona, my daughter, whose Dad disappeared for long periods of time while she was growing up. I kept in touch on early expeditions by hiring mail runners and persuading passing trekkers to deliver letters, progressing to satellite phones and hefty bills on later ones.

Captain Peter Jackson sorted me out when I suffered a prolapsed disc on Nanga Parbat. Keith Wickham got me cycle training after my leg wound on Makalu. David Thomasson made some great documentaries along with Graham Marples, who also nudged me to get writing. Keith and Joan Cook were there to share and enjoy my success along with Pasang Gelu.

Les Simm was a great help in Kathmandu on my final expeditions and Bikrum Pandey has been there for me for most of them. Thanks also to Paul Havery and Dave Picken for IT support and encouragement, Ian Mulingani for letting me wash up and Lloyd Murray for his enthusiasm.

Joe Cornish’s superlative landscape photographs are an inspiration to me and Joe and Jenny took an enthusiastic interest in my own mountain images.

A special thanks has to go to Mike and Marian Parsons for their hospitality and genuine enthusiasm for the book; without them I do not know what would have become of this book, or me; my simple thanks are not enough. Thanks also to my publisher, Jonathan Williams at Cicerone, for his patience over the years.

Finally to my grandchildren, Jay and Mia, for spreading sunshine and happiness in the way that only grandchildren can.

ALAN HINKES