Rochdale man to take on gruelling Nepal trek

A Rochdale man is set to carry out an epic 22-day trek in the Annapurna range of mountains in Nepal during the holy month of Ramadan.

Jamshed Miah, 48, has lived in Wardleworth in Rochdale all his life and is a youth worker with Rochdale Council.

Jamshed also volunteers with the charity Global Relief Trust (GRT). He recently returned from Pakistan after delivering much needed aid to victims of the devastating floods in 2022.

Continuing his efforts, Jamshed has teamed up with GRT to try and raise much-needed funds for worthwhile causes.

The Annapurna range of mountains are in the North West mountain ranges of the Himalayas. It is a gruelling 22-day trek. The average altitude is 2,800 metres and the maximum altitude is 5,400 metres above sea level through Thorong La in Muktinath, Nepal. The trek will begin a week after Ramadan starts.

The trek will start in Kathmandu. During the first few days of Ramadan Jamshed will observe his fasts, but as the trek gets higher however, fasting will be more difficult as there is the likelihood of developing altitude sickness if water consumption is low.

As a keen hiker, he delivers the Duke of Edinburgh’s award to young people he comes into contact with through his  job. He said: “We used to hear about the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in high-school but never got an opportunity to do it. Back then it was seen as a white middle-class activity. Only certain people could access opportunities like that. We heard of it but never got to do it.

“My friends and I would visit local hills for bike rides and walks in the Pennine moors. We started to visit the Lake District when we were 16-years-old. We would spend days in the Lake District, and enjoy the countryside and being in the mountains.

“We taught ourselves how to set up tents, cook outside, and basic map reading skills after getting lost many times.

“We created many memories and opportunities for ourselves.

He added: “That part of my life grew in parallel to my formal education until I started to take qualifications with the Mountain Training Association.

“I brought my interests into my work as a youth worker with Rochdale Borough Council and used them to engage young people in productive activities including the Duke of Edinburgh’s award.

“This is the background to my interest in trekking, these are things that motivate and inspire me,” he stated.

“I also work as a freelance guide for Peak Adventures and Muslim Hikers group. I recently led a group of more than 120 participants from across the country on a residential weekend organised by the Muslim Hikers group.”

The youth worker continued: “In preparation for the trek, I am doing my reading, and spending a lot of time trekking and improving my fitness, strength and stamina.

“If we can raise any sum of money it will benefit someone out there, so I am happy as God will reward us accordingly. Every little bit counts, and donations will bring us closer to making a positive impact on the world.

“Funds will be used to provide food, shelter and medical aid in the countries that GRT works in including Syria and Lebanon.

“The trek starts off nice and easy – it will be seven to eight hours of trekking every day - depending on the route and pace. The total length of the route varies between 160km to 230km. The trek crosses two different valleys and encircles Annapurna massif.

“My father passed away in 2021 and my mother passed in 2022; this trek will be in memory of them.”