Frost-bite victim heads to Arctic

Frost-bite victim heads to Arctic

Mr Vardy spent months recovering in hospital after his accident

A Derbyshire climber who lost parts of his fingers and toes to frostbite in Alaska is travelling to the Canadian Arctic for his next challenge.

Nigel Vardy from Belper was injured in 1999 when he was stranded on Mount McKinley during a blizzard.

He lost part of his hands and feet to frostbite and spent months recovering in hospital in North America and England.

He also had part of his nose removed and had to undergo extensive physiotherapy.

Glacier skiing

The 33-year-old mountain climber said he was joining a mountain skiing trip in Baffin Island, a remote region of the Canadian Arctic.

"We will be skiing on glaciers with 200-pound sledges towed behind," he said.

Determined climber

I have always loved cold, magnificent white places

Nigel Vardy

"I am dying to see this magnificent island - the mountains and the views are absolutely stunning."

The highest mountain in the area is about 7,000-ft high.

In 2002, he returned to high altitude climbing and completed a trip to the Himalayas.

Temperatures are expected to drop to about -15C during the four-week trek.

"I have always loved cold, magnificent white places and I cannot get enough of them."

He will climb several mountains in the region, pulling his supplies on a sledge during most of the trip.