'I think it’s good to be afraid': Meet the man attempting to become the youngest Welshman to scale Mount Everest

Captain Gethin Davies is no stranger to physical challenges.

He has already climbed the world’s eighth highest peak and now, he has set his sights on Mount Everest.

If Gethin reaches the summit, he will become the youngest Welshman and first Welsh army officer to do so. The 28-year-old is climbing with a team of others but will be without a guide.

Gethin is preparing for the different obstacles he will face on the climb.

The soldier from Port Talbot admits to being nervous about the challenge, but thinks it all helps with the climb.

“I think it’s good to be afraid. I’m nervous, nervous balanced with excitement and apprehension, but also raring to go and really get the message across that it is achievable for someone from South Wales to sort of go forward and climb the mountain.”

Mount Everest is named after Welsh army officer Colonel George Everest and Gethin hopes to continue the Welsh link by making it to the peak. He is even taking a Welsh flag with him - an essential part of his climbing kit, he says.

“Really the number of Welsh people on top is still under ten and so to be part of that club would be pretty special”.

Gethin and his team are hoping to begin their final ascent in May or June this year.

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