At an age when many of us are slowing down, Dave McClung of Olathe, Kansas, is heading in the opposite direction. In fact, last October this active octogenarian set an unofficial record as the oldest climber ever to reach South Base Camp on Nepal’s Mount Everest.
Just to make it clear, this was no walk in the park. McClung and his son Dennis had to climb to an elevation of 17,598 feet. That’s like climbing Mount Rainier – and then deciding to go up roughly 3,000 feet more.
This week on the Blog, we’re featuring Dave’s story for two reasons. First, he’s an example to all of us of a person who refuses to accept self-imposed limitations regarding aging. Second, Dave has a past tie to Rajiv Nagaich and will be a guest on this week’s AgingOptions radio program.
The background of this story comes from this article from the Kansas City Star, written last October by reporter Kendrick Calfee.
Making History on One of the World’s Toughest Hikes
Calfee begins, “An 82-year-old Olathe man who set out on an eight-day trek last week made history Sunday after he finished one of the world’s most difficult hikes.” Local resident Dave McClung had just reached the South Base Camp, high on the shoulder of towering Mount Everest in Nepal.
In reaching the camp, along with his son Dennis, McClung “set an unofficial record as the oldest person known to reach the South Base Camp of Mount Everest,” Calfee writes. This camp is known as the starting point for “those who dare to climb the tallest mountain of the world.”
Climbers Endured a Grueling Hike in the Thin Atmosphere
As Calfee describes the climb, it becomes clear that this journey was an ordeal. “Getting to Base Camp required McClung to hike for eight days,” he writes, “battling strenuous conditions including rocky terrain, steep inclines, high altitude and rarefied air.”
McClung was able to document the record-setting hike using a Garmin GPS tracker. He also posted the duo’s progress frequently on a Facebook page, keeping in touch with friends and family who cheered him on from afar.
“Accompanied by his son Dennis McClung, 55, the two men hiked to 17,598 feet to reach their ambitious goal,” says Calfee. This typically represents a vertical rise from the start of the hike of nearly 9,400 feet.
“One Foot in Front of the Other” for Eight Tough Days
McClung is an experienced hiker, but this trek was his toughest yet.
“I’ve done these hikes a lot of times, but I’ve never done one where I was quite as exhausted,” McClung told Calfee in a phone call from Kathmandu, Nepal after the climb. “The air up at that altitude is very thin, so I was just touching one foot in front of the other.”
Despite the exhaustion, McClung refused to quit. “I never did turn back,” he said. “A lot of people did.”
Grueling Hike Begins with a High-Altitude Helo Flight
According to the newspaper article, the father and son trek began with a helicopter flight from Kathmandu, Nepal, to a remote location in the Himalayas. The climbers followed paths formed by trekkers who had gone before, and also by local residents and their animals.
McClung noted that the helicopter pilots ferrying climbers to and from the trailhead have to fly at extreme altitudes to clear neighboring peaks. This presents unique hazards.
“In one of his Facebook posts,” Calfee writes, “Dave McClung said he saw the helicopter pilots using supplemental oxygen while flying.”
Duo Traveled with a Group of Hopeful Hikers
Dave McClung and his son Dennis did not make the trek alone, Calfee reports.
The two men “hiked alongside a number of others who set out with the same goal, but did not make it to South Base Camp before turning back,” says Calfee. They also were accompanied by local guides who led the two men along the climbing path.
It was important to limit the ascent to no more than 3,000 feet per day, McClung told Calfee. “Any more than that, and you risk the potential to develop severe illnesses with around a 50 percent mortality rate,” the 82-year-old climber said.
The Longest 80 Miles in the World?
In terms of miles traveled, the distance was relatively short, the news article states – around 80 miles round-trip. However, the elevation gain was grueling. What’s more, the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere at Base Camp is roughly half what it is at sea level.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the dangers to the human body at that altitude are extreme. Fluid can quickly accumulate in the lungs or brain, a condition known as high altitude pulmonary or cerebral edema. Acute mountain sickness can cause headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. The lack of oxygen – hypoxia – impairs judgment and causes disorientation. There’s no room for mistakes.
Months of Training and Planning Preceded the Climb
Knowing what they would face, the men prepared for the ascent with months of training and planning.
“My father’s the best hiker I know,” Dennis McClung told reporter Calfee. “And you know, he happens to be 82, but he also works out every day, and he’s hiked all over the world. I thought he was a very good partner to take on this, and we had a great time.”
Ironically, the father-son duo weren’t motivated by the desire to set a record, Calfee writes. They had already planned to do the hike “before they found out Dave McClung might be the oldest person to do it,” son Dennis said.
Weather Conditions and Political Upheaval Put Plans at Risk
According to the Kansas City Star article, political upheaval almost upended the McClungs’ plans.
“The two had also planned the trip before Nepal’s government was overthrown in September following a week of deadly protests,” says Calfee. “Nepal’s turmoil, coupled with a severe blizzard right before they arrived, caused heightened nerves ahead of their journey.”
But son Dennis said the two stayed focused on the task ahead of them. Fortunately, both the weather and the political tension leveled out by the time their hike began.
Documenting the Feat in the Guinness Book of World Records
What’s next for the climbing octogenarian? Calfee reports that McClung’s daughter LeEtta Felter is helping gather all the documentation so that the climb can be registered with the Guinness Book of World Records, along with other similar agencies.
No matter what else, daughter Felter knows her dad plans to keep at it. “I believe he has a next challenge already planned, but he hasn’t announced what it is yet,” Felter told Calfee. “My dad’s an adventurer.”
As for the plain-spoken record-setting climber, his tone is self-effacing. “My son and I made it without any major problems,” Dave McClung tells Calfee. “It’s an enjoyable accomplishment.”
Rajiv Nagaich – Your Retirement Planning Coach and Guide
Rajiv Nagaich’s newest program on PBS, called Designing Your Ideal Future, is bringing Rajiv’s powerful message to Americans from coast to coast. This engaging and challenging PBS show is prompting thousands to take a fresh look at the type of planning that will help them succeed in retirement.
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And remember, Age On, everyone!
Additional reading about Dave’s adventure can be found at:
• https://www.himalayanglacier.com/82-year-old-reaches-everest-base-camp/
• https://johnsoncountypost.com/2025/10/30/johnson-county-good-news-272824/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/OlatheConnect/posts/25155273020775434/
• https://www.instagram.com/p/DRKTKu4ljbf/
• https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/outdoor/82-year-old-uses-inreach-trek-to-mount-everest-base-camp/
• https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/kansas-man-82-may-be-oldest-person-to-climb-to-mt-everest-base-camp/
The post At Age 82, He’s the Oldest Ever to Climb to Base Camp on Mt. Everest appeared first on Home.
