Jersey Air Traffic Controller due to ascend to 18,000 feet on foot

Sunday 30 October 2022

A Jersey Air Traffic Controller has challenged himself to a 19-day trek to the base camp at Mount Everest.

Marc Hill is making the journey with a friend, Ian, as part of an organised tour of four trekkers plus a guide.

They are also making a trip to Kala Patthar, which provides the most accessible close-up view of Everest, where they aim to watch the sunrise or sunset. 

Marc is raising money for the charities Every Child Our Future (ECOF) and Helping Wings. He chose the charities because Ports of Jersey will match any amount raised for ECOF, while Helping Wings is a charity his whole family is involved with.

“My sister started volunteering at Helping Wings seven years ago and it has now become a family event with both our parents helping out,” he said. “It’s a great charity, which aims to share the excitement of flying in a light aircraft with local disadvantaged children and teenagers who would not otherwise get the chance.

“Since 2008 - with the support of members, partners, and pilots – more than 1,000 guests have enjoyed a day out at the Aero Club. And parents say this experience can be life-changing.

“The charity is also using funding from Ports of Jersey to provide pilot-training and flight experience for physically disabled Islanders of all ages. I’m really pleased that the daughters of two of my friends were awarded flying bursaries and I was in the Air Traffic Control Tower when one of them did her first flight.”

Pictured: Helping Wings, which gives flying lessons to islanders who may not normally have the opportunity, is one of the charities Marc will be raising money for.

The trek has been scheduled to last 19 days, although Day 2 includes a flight to Lukla, where delays can be caused by changeable mountain weather. 

Marc has already completed a trek to Annapurna base camp, he walks regularly in Jersey, and has been in training for this expedition for six months.

He said: “I’ve just finished the 12 Parish boundary walks, and as we get closer to departure date, I’ll be doing some walks of 25-30 km. I also do 20 km on an exercise bike 3-4 times a week, and I use the stairs when I’m working in the Air Traffic Control Tower.

The pair are travelling with a company called Jagged Globe, who provide a guide for the four people on the trek. As they only have half a day to go to Kala Patthar, they have hired another guide to give them a better opportunity to take this once in a lifetime opportunity. 

Marc added: “I’m looking forward to getting away from the hustle and bustle of life and being up in the mountains.”