Ealing Councillor Gary Malcolm Scales Himalayan Peak
Leader of opposition scales Kang Yatse II after 14-hour ascent
Cllr Gary Malcolm (left) reaches the summit
August 26, 2025
Councillor Gary Malcolm, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Ealing, has successfully reached the summit of Kang Yatse II, a 6,250-metre peak in the Indian Himalayas. The climb, completed on Thursday 21 August, involved a demanding 14-hour ascent that began at midnight and tested both physical and mental endurance.
Kang Yatse is located in the Ladakh region of northern India, rising at the eastern end of the Markha Valley within Hemis National Park. The mountain has two principal summits: Kang Yatse I, the higher and more technically challenging peak, and Kang Yatse II, which is more accessible to experienced trekkers but still requires significant preparation and stamina. The climb typically begins from a base camp at around 5,000 metres, with summit attempts starting in the early hours to take advantage of stable weather conditions.
Cllr Malcolm described the experience as his most difficult climb to date. “This was an amazing experience and shows that with grit and determination we can all rise and achieve a positive result,” he said. “This was my toughest climb ever, physically and mentally.”
The ascent involved navigating slopes angled at up to 70%, steeper than many sections of Mount Everest. To prepare for the altitude and reduced oxygen levels—only half the oxygen is available at 6,000 metres— the Leader of the Opposition on Ealing Council undertook a two-week acclimatisation regime, logging over 243,000 steps, equivalent to approximately 115 miles.
The slopes were steeper than many sections of Mount Everest
He credited the sherpas and support team for their essential role in the climb, emphasising that such expeditions are never solo efforts.
This achievement adds to his growing record of high-altitude climbs. In 2019, he summited Mount Damavand in Iran, the highest volcano in Asia at 5,610 metres, despite battling sulphur burns and high winds. He has also climbed Mount Touchal (3,950 metres) and Ben Nevis via the challenging Observatory Ridge route in winter conditions, raising funds for charities including Breast Cancer Haven and Forget Me Not Buddies.
Cllr Malcolm, who has served as a councillor for Southfield ward since 2002, linked the personal challenge of mountaineering to his political work. “I look forward to the coming year in which the local elections will be taking place in May 2026,” he said, “when the Lib Dems hope to engage even more residents in challenging Ealing Labour’s complacent 15-year reign.”
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