The leader of Ealing’s Liberal Democrats, Councillor Gary Malcolm, has scaled new heights this summer – literally.
Last Thursday (21 August 2025), Councillor Malcolm successfully reached the summit of Kang Yatse 2, a remote 6,250-metre peak in the Indian Himalayas, after what he described as a 14-hour “slog” beginning at midnight.
The conditions were ideal, but the climb itself was punishing. With slopes angled as steeply as 70% – sharper than many parts of Everest – the route demanded stamina and teamwork.
He said: “You cannot do this type of climb alone, it needs a team,” as he paid tribute to the sherpas and fellow climbers who supported the expedition.
In preparation, Councillor Malcolm clocked an extraordinary 243,000 steps – the equivalent of around 115 miles – over two weeks to adapt to the thin air. At 6,000 metres, only half the oxygen available at sea level can be breathed in, making even simple tasks difficult. Climbers typically follow a regimen of “climb high, sleep low,” ascending to higher altitudes by day but returning to lower camps at night to allow their bodies to adjust.
Reflecting on the achievement, Malcolm said: “This was an amazing experience and shows that with grit and determination we can all rise and achieve a positive result. This was my toughest climb ever, physically and mentally.”
Turning his attention back to politics, he added: “I look forward to the coming year in which the local elections will be taking place in May 2026 when the Lib Dems hope to engage even more residents in challenging Ealing Labour’s complacent 15-year reign.”
