I’m one of those, who had the privilege to know Kev personally. I regard him as my teacher, my mentor, my Guru. If I am to name one person who had the biggest influence on my professional career in recent 10 years, definitely Kev would be the one. And as for him, for me too my profession is my passion.
I know he had reviewed my Ladakh guidebook manuscript and without his good words Cicerone would probably never publish it. From then on I received mountains of advices and suggestions from him.
I had a great honour to work with him on the new edition of his Everest guidebook – the journey that started at Min’s and Kev’s home in Kent, where I was warmly welcomed, privileged to be their guest. Once the Everest book had been finished, Kev invited me to contribute to the “Fifty Years of Adventure” and I still feel humble to be a part of that work. His suggestions were always kind, full of appreciation of my own work and patient to my far-from-perfect English. We shared some family mattes too. He used to ask about my family always, and I felt he was really interested, and he was really joining me in the happiness when my daughter was born. Although living away and contacting rarely, he was often on my mind in recent years, and I’m sure he will be there forever.
As Jonathan said, trekkers would keep on asking “What does Kev say”. And I will keep on asking myself “What would Kev say” not only in the mountains but in many situations related to writing. I regret, I’d never asked some of those, foolishly thinking I still had time.
I also feel his respect of the local communities of Nepal (and perhaps of other places too) should be also mentioned, as well as his support for the Nepalese. I’m sure his promotion of Nepal will be still active in many years to come: for the benefit of local communities and those, who – inspired by Kev – will visit the country.
Thank you, Kev.