A war veteran who lost both his legs after being blown up in Afghanistan has conquered the highest mountain in North Africa.
James Rose, from Middlesbrough, who is a double amputee veteran, climbed the 4,167m to the summit of Mount Toubkal in Morocco.
The former soldier has raised about £20,000 for military charities Blesma, which works with limbless veterans, and Launchpad, which has a base in Newcastle and helps homeless veterans get back on their feet.
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James, who served with the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, formerly the Green Howards, said: “It was hard. We had a day to acclimatise and that was about 11km, then we had a day to get to base camp which was about the same.
“We camped at the bottom of the mountain and set off at 2am so it was pitch black. Though to be honest I found it better in the dark because I couldn’t see what was in front of us. In total it took us 14 hours.
“It was amazing. When I climbed Kilimanjaro I couldn’t really be bothered because I was so tired. This time I was exhilarated. I could have stayed up all day. The views were amazing.”
James, who lost both his legs after standing on an IED after being deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, added: “The reason I do these things is to inspire others and just to prove I can do stuff. I hope if people see me doing it maybe they can think they can try and do something to challenge them.”
The 34-year-old, who is a resource manager for security company SGS, was walking with fellow veteran John Gilpin, Ray Priest and Gerry Garvey.
He was meant to do the walk in 2020 but the trip was postponed.
He has previously climbed Kilimanjaro in 2019 – becoming the first double amputee to do so and is already thinking about his next challenge.
He said: “There has been talk about doing Mont Blanc but it’s early days now. We’ll have a think about it. Mount Kenya is another idea.
“I’ll do something but I don’t know what now. I have to challenge myself every year. It keeps my mental health good and I love to get out walking. I like to really challenge myself because it makes me a stronger person.
“Five or six years ago I was struggling mentally but getting out into the hills made a difference. Just getting out into the fresh air does wonders. It can be killing me, but when you finish there’s a massive sense of achievement.”
James, who competed for Team GB at the Invictus Games in 2018, winning silver and bronze medals in wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball, will be carrying the Commonwealth baton through Middlesbrough next Thursday.
He will be carrying the baton along Albert Road from the train station to the town hall.
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He added: “I’m more nervous about doing that then climbing a mountain. It will be all eyes on me so I don’t want to be falling over.
“It’s quite surreal to be carrying the baton and its quite an honour to be representing the North East and Middlesbrough.”
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