Cricket star sets off for biggest challenge

Adam Parore on the south ridge of Mt Haidinger, with Mt Cook in the background. Photo / Supplied

Former Black Caps player Adam Parore is gearing up to take on his biggest rival yet - Mt Everest.

The 40-year-old former top wicket keeper and batsman will climb the world's tallest mountain in May and is helping children's charity Make A Wish Foundation along the way.

Parore has spent most of the past year training for what he says is one of his greatest challenges.

In December, he scaled Mt Cook and Mt Haidinger, near Nelson, and spent two weeks in the Southern Alps learning snowcraft and rock climbing skills.

"It's something I've wanted to do for years," he says.

"I spent a lot of time in India, playing cricket. I was just sort of fascinated with [Mt Everest] and I thought, 'That's something I'm going to do one day'."

Parore will fly to Nepal on Tuesday. He will spend a month living at the Mt Everest base camp, adjusting to the conditions, before starting the trek with up to 70 others in May and the beginning of June.

He said the challenge itself, the adrenalin he got from being "on top of the world" and the breathtaking sights all motivated him to do the climb.

"It's quite different being up [at that height]. The altitude is quite different to anything else I've ever felt or done before," he said.

"I could be feeling just exhausted; but it'll only take me a minute or so to get my breath back and then I could do another few steps. It can be like that for six hours. It's just amazing."

Parore says he hopes to raise up to $100,000 for the charity which helps to make wishes come true for children with life-threatening illnesses.

"I wanted to do something for charity and so when this came around I thought it was the perfect chance," he said.

To donate to the cause, either visit the Make A Wish Foundation website or go to www.everest8848.co.nz and click the Support the Climb Here tab on the bottom left corner.