HM the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, National Security Advisor and Royal Guard Commander, Major-General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has directed to form a team from the Royal Guard to train in the Himalayas Mountains in Nepal, and deliver relief aid to the “Sherpa” community there to help them overcome the current difficult situation resulting from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
“The Royal Guard is keen to ensure the best training opportunities for its affiliates at various countries, as well as deliver food supplies to the Himalaya people, amid the current difficult circumstances they are going through.”, said HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
The Royal Guard’s expedition is being held in coordination with the Republic of Nepal and the “Seven Summits Treks” Company, one of the leading climbing expedition operators in the region.
HH Shaikh Nasser indicated that the Royal Guard team will undergo strenuous training to enhance their physical fitness, as the ultimate goal is to reach the summit of Mt Everest, the highest mountain in the world.
The Royal Guard expedition programme includes two additional climbs to the Lobuche East mountain (6119 m above sea level) and Mount Manaslu (8,156 m above sea level) over the next eight months to gain experience and be well-prepared for the final climb of Mount Everest in May 2021.
Unfortunately, the Royal Guard team’s plans have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The team has been in daily communication with Seven Summits Treks so that that they are kept well updated about the situation in Nepal.
Although Nepal has had a few COVID-19 cases, it was obliged to impose a lockdown, suspending commercial flights to the country until further notice.