The parents of a two-year-old toddler who climbed Mount Everest quit their jobs, rented out their house and took their son on a year-long trip around the world.
Ross Dallas, 35, and his wife Jade, 31, took their son Carter on a whirlwind adventure, including a visit to Everest base camp, trips to India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The municipal employee and sales manager have quit their jobs for their son’s world trip, with Cambodia next on the list.
The Glasgow pair said doctors were ‘surprised’ he did not suffer from altitude sickness when they took Carter to the south face of the world’s tallest mountain in Nepal, carried on his father’s back.
The spontaneous ascent, after arriving in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, was part of the world tour.
Young Carter is considered a medical miracle because of his endurance. His parents admitted that he performed even better than them on tests and checks.
The family who are now in Cambodia revealed how they are planning many more adventures for the youngster, while at the same time insisting on his health.
Carter Dallas (photo, left) ‘climbed’ to the southern site in Nepal – located 5,000 meters above sea level – on October 25
The Dallas family has traveled throughout Asia, including to Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka
Ross and Carter have fun on a beach in the Maldives after a visit to India
Ross and Jade Dallas are seen on one quad bike, left, with their son Carter joined by Ross’ dad Craig on the other side as they ride through Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands
Carter reached the Everest base camp at 17,598 feet above sea level on October 25, breaking a record previously held by a four-year-old from the Czech Republic.
His father, former senior sales manager Ross, praised how Carter ‘coped better’ than both he and Jade as they suffered from ‘mild altitude sickness’.
Mr Dallas also described how two medics in nearby villages carried out blood tests ‘to check he was okay’, adding: ‘His results were much better than ours – they were amazed.
‘We bought food jackets and two sleeping bags for the trek – we actually did it on a whim. We started the trek within 24 hours of arriving in Kathmandu.”
Mr Dallas believes they were well prepared for the trip as they regularly practice ‘breathing techniques’ and all do cold ice bath dives – including Carter.
The couple dressed in everyday sneakers, with Carter strapped to his father’s back.
Experienced climber and instructor Tim Mosedale, from Keswick in Cumbria – only the tenth Briton to climb Everest from both sides – said: ‘Some people will say that’s brilliant, others will say that’s completely irresponsible.’
Ross and Jade, a former housing officer, rented out their home in Scotland and bought three one-way tickets last August for a year of travel.
They flew to India before visiting Sri Lanka and the Maldives, with trips back to India in between – then headed to Nepal before heading to Malaysia for a wedding.
They later headed to Singapore, where they spent Carter’s birthday at Universal Studios, followed by Christmas in Penang before crossing the border into Thailand and ringing in the New Year on the Thai island of Koh Lanta.
Carter Dallas and his parents Ross and Jade have embarked on a year-long journey through Asia, setting off from their home in Glasgow for the first time last August, with more countries in store to explore
He completed the journey on the back of dad Ross, with mum Jade, 31, beside him
Ross, 35, says he believes they were well prepared for the trip as they regularly practice ‘breathing techniques’ and all do cold ice bath dives
Carter Dallas, two, in a sleeping bag during his family’s trek through Southeast Asia
Ross, Jade and Carter Dallas in Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal
They recently entered the jungle at a Thai nature reserve in Khao Sok before reaching the capital Bangkok – and are now in Cambodia.
Carter’s father also says he loved learning about all the different cultures, adding, “He says ‘sawadika’ and ‘namaste’ – he picks up the lingo.”
‘We love that he has been exposed to different cultures and played with all the children in small villages, it really opens his mind.
“The one thing he loved most is hearing the Islamic call to prayer.”
Carter has also developed a taste for exotic foods and has enjoyed eating fish curries in the Maldives and chicken feet in Malaysia – and even crocodiles – although his favorite dish is Pad Thai.
According to the family, highlights include visiting an elephant orphanage and bathing with the animals, seeing the Taj Mahal and swimming with sharks in the Maldives.
Mr Carter said: ‘We hope we can inspire other people to get out and see the real world. It’s much better than just going to Tenerife.’
Still, climbing Everest posed potential dangers, with doctors warning that altitude sickness poses a risk to young children, who may find it harder to adapt to the change in atmosphere and lack of oxygen.
London-based physician Dr. Ann Nainan, known as ‘The Traveling Doctor’outlined potential travel risks for young people, such as altitude sickness, nausea, dehydration and switching between sunburnt heat during the day and freezing chills at night.
She told MailOnline: ‘I would be concerned, especially because young children can’t verbalize their complaints – they can’t say ‘I’m cold’ or ‘I feel dizzy’ or ‘I feel out of breath’. “.’
More than 100 doctors and pediatricians working in the French Alps were asked for advice for parents wanting to travel to extreme altitudes with their children – and According to the researchers, children under the age of two should not be at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters a survey last October.
Ross, Carter and Jade at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka during his year-long tour of the continent
The Dallas family at the Nine Arches Bridge in Sri Lanka
Ross, Carter and Jade on the Everest trail – doctors checked little Carter and reported he was coping well with the altitude
Ross and Carter Dallas in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal
The Dallas family at Jatayu Earth’s Center in India – Ross says Carter has learned about all the different cultures and absolutely loves them
Doctors recommend not having children under two higher than 2,000 meters, while similar restrictions were applied for long-term stays at high altitude.
This makes locations like La Paz in Bolivia (3,500 metres), Santa Fe in New Mexico (2,100 metres) and Machu Picchu (2,400 metres) theoretically off-limits – let alone Everest base camp at 5,364 metres.
But many parents believe that exposing their children to new experiences and environments at an early age is a good thing and can increase their interest in the world around them.