Epic mountaineering auction for Nepal charity

Famous faces, big name brands and world-renowned mountaineers, including Chris Bonington and Doug Scott, are donating their time and expertise, as well as many personal treasures, to help raise funds for the earthquake relief effort in Nepal. They will be part of two on-line auctions led by the British Mountaineering Council (BMC), with support from the Alpine Club and eBay.

More than 70 lots will be up for grabs in the auctions, which launch this Sunday (June 28, 2015). The public will be able to bid for such lots as:

Afternoon tea with TV presenter Michael Palin CBE
Walk/climb and dinner with record-breaking British mountain guide Kenton Cool
Climbing session with Shauna Coxsey, Hazel Findlay and Steve McClure or alpine legend Mick Fowler.
A Lakeland fell walk with mountaineers Sir Chris Bonington and Doug Scott CBE
A signed photo of Ab Fab star and Gurkha campaigner Joanna Lumley
The crampons of mountaineer Stephen Venables
Pete Boardman’s boots that were worn on Everest expeditions
Books, artwork and memorabilia.

The Alpine Club, whose members have shaped climbing in Nepal since it was first opened to Westerners 66 years ago, is supporting the venture and its members have donated some valuable items:

1953 Everest expedition team member Mike Westmacott’s collection of moths and butterflies
Everest 1953 silver engraved cigarette box
Himalayan paintings by James Hart-Dyke and Julian Cooper

The auction will be held on eBay’s dedicated charity section and will go live on Sunday. See some of the highlights of the lots.

Bid for crampons owned by Stephen Venables.

Bid for a climbing session with Steve McClure. Pic credit: Tina Gardner

Signed photo of Joanna Lumley.

Pete Boardman Boots

Help the people of Nepal

Proceeds from the auction will go to Community Action Nepal (CAN), which provides long-term support to the mountain people of Nepal. CAN is a UK-based charity and was founded by Doug Scott CBE, who in 1975 made the first British ascent of Everest. Many of the mountain communities in which CAN’s 40-plus projects are based have been devastated or displaced by the earthquake.

Proceeds from selected items, including top of the range gear from Sherpa Adventure Gear, will go to help the Paldorje Sherpa Education Fund to provide immediate relief on the ground.

BMC patrons and former Alpine Club presidents, Chris Bonington and Doug Scott, who recently took part in a 24-hour ice climb for CAN, said: “We’re calling for everyone to get behind this auction. It’s your chance to bid for some very unique items – including us. Dig deep, bid high!”