Adrian Hayes was climbing Makalu when a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck causing a gigantic avalanche

Adrian Hayes had been on his way to the summit of Makalu - just 12 miles from Mount Everest, when a 7.9 magnitude quake struck.

The earthquake triggered avalanches on Everest which has left more than 200 climbers stranded and wiped out many villages.

The dad-of-two from Woodlands continued climbing to Advance Base Camp where he is currently waiting along with 34 other climbers to see if they can carry on towards the summit. Adrian said that decision will be made by the Sherpas who are leading them.

Adrian said: “We were on our first rotation and it was a complete white-out.

“There was a massive, thunderous roar. I thought it was the mother of avalanches. The difference was it was all around us.

“We continued walking down. It was only when we got down to the base camp we realised the severity.

“Everyone is fine. We're quite safe and we have supplies and food. I think we're lucky to be here.

“Whether this climb goes ahead or not, we will see. We have to respect nature and if nature decides it's not going to happen this year it won't.

“It's very sad indeed. Nepal is dear to my heart so my thoughts are with everyone in the country.”

The climb was part of the professional adventurer and former Gurkha officer's challenge to climb five of the world's highest mountains.

He had planned to climb 8,156 metre-high Lhotse, which shares a base camp with Everest after reaching the 8,481-metre high summit of Makalu.

Adrian last year scaled K2 - the world's second highest mountain at 8,611 metres.