Gifford returns to Nepal

KATHMANDU, JUL 05 - The founder of Everest Skydive, Nigel Gifford OBE, is returning to Nepal with a view to launching a new skydive operation.

OBE and the Captive Adventure Everest Skydive team have signed an understanding with Himalaya Expeditions here to work together.

“I’m coming back to Nepal to run the Everest Skydive operation on behalf of Captive Minds. The Captive Adventure operation sets out to run a professional skydiving experience that meets the highest possible safety standards,” OBE said.

“Himalaya Expeditions are pleased to be assisting Captive Adventure and Nigel Gifford OBE with their Skydive ground requirements in Nepal.

I’m certain that, with our combined credentials in adventure, Everest Skydive will be a resounding success,” said Bikrum Pandey president of Himalaya Expeditions.

I reached the South Col (26,200ft) myself in 1976, carrying oxygen and equipment for successful summiteers,” said OBE, the first person to be granted the license for the Everest Skydive.

Captive Minds has been at the forefront of adventure since 2003 when the company’s office in London was the expedition HQ for Bear Grylls’ ‘Facing The Frozen Ocean’ crossing of the North Atlantic.

It has worked on adventure-related projects with brands as diverse as Toshiba, Champagne Mumm, CMC Markets and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Captive Minds has worked extensively with explorer David Hempleman-Adams, and has recently been engaged in providing support to the Walking With The Wounded expedition with Prince Harry.

Captive Adventure was set up after the phenomenal success of ‘The Nokia Maps Everest Test’ in 2009--the world’s highest game of cricket.

The Everest Test demonstrated the capability of people to ‘do the extraordinary’ when given the opportunity.