A Birkenhead man says he wants to traverse Mount Everest’s west ridge using 1920s equipment and having ridden his 1954 Enfield from Birkenhead to Nepal

Dec 29 2010 by Matt Hurst, Heswall News

A DECORATOR is aiming to become the first Briton to ascend Everest’s west ridge – using 1920s equipment – after riding his motorcycle all the way from Birkenhead.

Paul Parkinson, 46 says it’s “good fun trying to do the impossible” and is now on the lookout for sponsors to make his dream for 2011 come true.

Not satisfied with riding his 1954 Royal Enfield motorcycle through some of the most inhospitable terrain on the planet, Paul says his arrival in Nepal will be just the beginning of the mission.

He intends to climb the world’s tallest mountain, not on the traditional routes favoured by even the most experienced climbers, but via the notorious west ridge.

So imposing is the ridge, the first man to traverse it, American Tom Hornbein, lost nine of his toes during the 1963 expedition.

His path has never been successfully followed by any Briton.

But now Paul Parkinson says he is determined to do so and, not satisfied with that achievement, the father-of-two intends to use equipment contemporary to fellow Everest – and Wirral – heroes George Mallory and Sandy Irving.

Paul said: “I’m getting all the old cloth customised and made, it will all be hand-knitted.”

1920s style balaclavas, gabardines, jumpers and jackets are being made fromŠShetland wool and Harris tweed, with shirts and underwear woven from tussah silk.

But if it all sounds unlikely, Paul has got form.

In 2007, he rode another vintage motorcycle round the world, setting off from Birkenhead, crossing the European landmass up to Russia and through Siberia before shipping his bike to Seattle and riding across North America to New York.

On arrival, four months after leaving Wirral behind, Paul could have put his feet up, but completed the New York marathon instead.

Paul said: “I love my family, they’re great but deep down they maybe think I won’t do it.

“But they said that when I went round the world on my bike, and I did it.

“I think they think it’s a bridge too far but it’s good fun trying to do the impossible.”

Paul aims to complete the mission in 2011 and thinks he will need around £70,000 to £80,000 behind him.

He added: “I just get up and live my life.

“I know there is a risk but I’m not going to waste precious energy worrying about things that might never happen.”

Paul is looking for business sponsors, email westridge@gmx.com