2 Veterans Were the First Amputees to Attempt ‘World’s Toughest’ Trek
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The Snowman Trek in Bhutan spans 220 miles and reaches heights of more than 16,000 feet. Every year, only a handful of adventurers do the trek, with less than half completing it due to altitude sickness and severe snowfall. However, Rich Potter, 40, and Rich Davies, 37, have made history as the first amputees to attempt the “world’s toughest” trek.
Potter, a former British Army captain, and Davies, a former Royal Air Force corporal, took on this challenge to push the boundaries of what people with limb loss and limb differences can achieve. In an interview with BFBS Forces News, Potter expressed their desire to challenge misconceptions and shift the narrative on how society views the capabilities of people with disabilities.
He said that individuals with disabilities can do amazing things and “they are some of the most resilient people” he has encountered.
He continued that people with disabilities have much to contribute. He hopes that “society will sit up, listen, and pay attention.”
Both veterans with below-knee limb loss due to accidents also took on the challenge to raise funds for two charities. Davies set a goal to raise £50,000 for the Royal British Legion, a charity supporting serving and former British armed forces members and their families. Potter also aimed to raise the same amount for Blesma, a charity dedicated to supporting veterans who have lost limbs. However, both face difficulties in reaching their fundraising targets.
The trek
The pair set off for Bhutan in early October 2024 alongside a team of eight, as well as 10 horses and two yaks that helped carry their equipment, spare prosthetic legs, and 35 lbs of snacks. The trek route is in a fairly nomadic part of Bhutan, with no electricity and a limited phone signal. Additionally, due to the rugged terrain, 90% of the route is only reachable by helicopter.
Potter completed the trek in 28 days and returned to his home in Norwich, England, on November 11. Meanwhile, Davies covered about 85 miles over 12 days before having to stop due to swelling in his residual limb.
In a BBC interview, Potter described the trek as the most challenging experience of his life, particularly with the daily snowfall. The snow was knee-deep and pulled their prosthetic legs into the ground, which drained their energy.
Potter also grappled with fears of falling and facing serious injuries, a concern that was not unwarranted considering that there have been deaths on the Snowman Trek in recent years. The mental strain of trying to avoid falling was significant, as each step demanded careful attention.
Potter told the BBC that he is not eager to repeat the trek soon. It is notoriously difficult, even for those without disabilities.
“We are the first disabled people to attempt it.”
The aftermath
Before Davies’ residual limb swelled up, he walked eight hours each day. Over the course of his 12-day trek, he shed 7 lbs. In contrast, Potter trekked for 28 days and lost 22 lbs.
Davies said that he had been walking without significant problems until his residual limb ballooned up. He was unable to put on any prosthetic legs.
Meanwhile, Potter was bleeding through dressings and had to be on antibiotics by the time he finished his trek.
‘Same drive’
Before going on the Snowman Trek, the two met in 2023 while competing at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany. Both won gold medals, and more importantly, they discovered they had the same purpose.
Their shared determination to change the narrative surrounding individuals with disabilities has drawn them closer since then.
Now that they have attempted the Snowman Trek, Davies hopes they have shown disabled and non-disabled people what could be achieved.
At the end of it all, Davies and Potter are two fathers in their middle years looking to prove to themselves that they can still accomplish great things.
