Former soldier who conquered Mount Everest to give inspirational talk

Intrepid Les Binns was thwarted on his first two attempts to reach the “roof of the world” but achieved his ultimate goal last year, before telling of his “immense joy” and toasting his achievement with a can of beer.

Fresh from another gruelling trek, this time back in the UK, Leslie will be putting on his talk “Bastion to Base Camp” at Bolton on Dearne Club on March 3.

“I have done talks to repay some of my sponsors and I wanted to do a talk for the local village, to come down and tell them the story as a lot of people here have helped me out,” he said.

The talk traces through from Les’ upbringing in Bolton to his work as a joiner and then his time in the army, when he was seriously injured, before moving on to his three attempts — the last one successful — to reach the peak of mountaineering achievements.

Les aborted his his first attempt to conquer Everest to save a fellow climber and was defeated by the weather second time around, but made it to the top with fellow climber Susan Thapa Magar on May 13 last year.

He said he had managed to put his previous disappointments to the back of his mind and push on to the summit, adding: “It was only when I got down and saw all the messages of support and congratulations that the realisation that I’d made it finally hit me and I broke down in tears of joy.”

Army veteran Les was blinded in one eye by shrapnel from an improvised explosive device in 2009 and was supported on his Everest mission by Blesma, which helps wounded veterans.

He now helps out with the charity Climb to Recovery and regularly takes on challenging treks to keep himself fit and focused, most recently the 160-mile Spine Challenger North Race in January.

Les also continues to work in construction as well and volunteer with the rugby club Dearne Valley Bulldogs.

Asked if he would ever try to conquest Everest again, he said: “I have given so much just for that single mounting, nearly killing myself in the process.

“It’s just a bit too much to be putting back on my family and friends.

“But I can say I’ve stood on the top and I’ve got those memories.

“At the end of the day you’re doing it for yourself and it became something of an obsession.

“A lot of people who’re on social media are doing these extreme challenges and telling them how to live their lives. I don’t believe in that but if people want my help I’m happy to give it.

“And if people look at my story and take something positive from it, then that’s brilliant.”

The talk begins at 7.30pm on March 3 at Bolton on Dearne Club. Admission is £15 and tickets are available from the club or at https://tinyurl.com/LesBinnsBoltontalk.