MINEHEAD Barbarians president Terry Mote is back on home ground after completing a trek to the Mount Everest base camp in the Himalayas. Despite coping with the varying threat of leopards and terrorists Terry is hoping to have raised at least £3,000 from the challenge that anyone half his 65 years would have found daunting. The sponsored initiative was part of an expedition organised by the Rugby Football Union and Terry's decision to take part reflected his involvement with Minehead Barbarians, which stretches back 50 years. He was one of a 22-strong group who took part in the trek and when the walkers reached their goal they celebrated with a game of tag rugby to mark their achievement. They are now hoping the game will be accepted by the Guinness Book of Records as the highest ever played - at 17,575 feet above sea level. Terry, who was the oldest member of the group admits to finding the experience extremely hard and one of the toughest things he has ever done. "Most of it was enjoyable and I am glad that I did it," he told the Free Press this week. "But the last day in particular was incredibly tough. We were walking for 12 hours and although reaching base camp was very exhilarating by the time we got back to our camp, I was utterly exhausted. "I couldn't even unpack my bag - I just lay down and went to sleep for an hour or so." Terry has returned from the 17-day expedition at least half a stone lighter but with memories that will last him a lifetime. Armed guards toting guns were an everyday sight and prowling leopards were never far away. Terry and his fellow trekkers flew into Lukla for the start of the trek in planes carrying a maximum of 12 passengers. "After the noise and bustle of Kathmandu it was very quiet and for the next 12 days we saw no cars, in fact nothing with an engine or wheel. "Everything had to be carried on the back of a yak." The first leg proved a hot and dusty experience as there had been no rain for several months but the temperature was to drop dramatically when the group finally reached the base camp. The money raised will be split between two good causes - SPIRE, the RU's charity to help players with spinal injuries, and the soccer-led organisation Show Racism the Red Card. Terry, who lives in Blue Anchor, was the only representative from the South West and is preparing to contact his many friends and supporters to collect their sponsorship pledges. Minehead Barbarians chairman Graham Symes said: "We are all tremendously proud of what Terry has done. "He has set a great example raising money for these good causes. Last season our players raised over £1,500 for Cancer Research. "Both Terry and the players have done Minehead proud."