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Belper adventurer to return to Alaskan mountain he almost died on

Nigel Vardy Nigel VardyNigel Vardy
A documentary is going to be filmed, 25 years on

A mountaineer who almost died while climbing is to return to the Alaskan peak a quarter of a century on.

Nigel Vardy, from Belper in Derbyshire, lost parts of his fingers, toes and nose to frostbite in 1999.

He went on to become the first Briton to scale the highest mountains on the world's seven largest islands.

Now, the adventurer is starting his journey from Derbyshire back to Mount Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America.

He told BBC Radio Derby: "Myself and the two guys with me got stuck in a mountain storm at about 20,000ft and we basically almost froze to death.

Nigel Vardy Man in hospital with frostbiteNigel Vardy
Mr Vardy suffered serious frostbite on the mountain

"The air temperature got to -60C (-76F) and we spent overnight up there in horrific weather and were very, very lucky to be rescued over the coming two days.

"We were in a snow hole, physically under the ice. We beat a hole out of the side of one of the peaks to get out of the wind. When you're so cold you don't think straight.

"I lost all my toes, the ball on my left foot, both my heels, all my fingertips, all my nose, and a chunk fell off my left cheek.

"I'm still Nigel, the Nigel that came from Belper, but my outlook on life has changed massively. Every day is a bonus, every day is a joy. I embrace life by the scruff of the neck, I really do."

Nigel Vardy MountaineerNigel Vardy
A brush with death inspired 25 years of adventures

After recovering, Mr Vardy went on to climb the highest mountains on the world's seven largest islands.

He is the president of the Buxton Mountain Rescue and as a motivational speaker visits schools to share his story.

Mr Vardy said he wanted to inspire young people to do something positive with their lives.

Nigel Vardy Medics and frostbite patientNigel Vardy
People who helped to save Mr Vardy's life are taking part

His latest adventure will see him meeting a film crew in Anchorage, Alaska, to film a new documentary.

It will include flying over the peak and landing on a glacier to allow Mr Vardy to revisit the mountain.

Mr Vardy will meet some of the teams who rescued him back in 1999 and medical staff who helped save his life.

He said: "I'd like to say thank you, not only for what they did at the time, but the fact it's allowed me to live my life as I have for the last 25 years."

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