Former NRL player and Taree local Danny Buderus has returned from the trip of a lifetime.
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Danny was part of an expedition to Mount Everest base camp, which included former Newcastle Knights team-mates Paul Harragon, Matthew Johns, Mark Hughes and brothers Matthew and Kurt Gidley.
Former Sea Eagle, Steve Menzies and competition winners also joined them on the journey.
Danny was mesmerised by the landscape of Nepal.
"I'm not a real spiritual person as such but when you get up and around those mountains and the start of the Himalayas, it is an amazing part of the world and I do believe you get a little bit spiritual at times and its proably something I've taken away from it,” he said.
The trip was organised as a fundraiser for the Mark Hughes Foundation and raised about $500,000.
Danny said it doubled as a way to reconnect with former team-mates.
"Matty Johns told stories for two weeks and did not repeat one story,” he said.
During the NRL’s Beanies for Brain Cancer round, auctions were set up to join the trip.
These included a doctor who paid $31,000 and another person who paid $51,000.
"We had some great guys that came along who paid their own way.
"They were just sensational guys.
"We all really got connected and it was pretty easy to in the Himalayas.”
Altitude sickness was rife through the camp, an issue that Danny was happy to avoid.
Danny noted his sadness of the news that former Channel Nine NRL boss Matt Callander died of brain cancer on their return to Australia.
"He's someone that was really instrumental in round 11 Beanies for Brain Cancer round,” Danny said.
"It was a really special moment for the rugby league community where they all got together and raised awareness for brain cancer.”
Buderus backs Cordner appointment
Danny had high praise for fellow Manning product Boyd Cordner, who is Australian vice-captain for their Rugby League World Cup campaign.
He said the 25-year-old second rower, who also was NSW skipper, still has more to look forward to in relation to representative honours.
"He's just about to come into a good period for NSW and he'll be at the forefront of that.
"He's also been earmarked for the national job.”
Danny is a former Australian international and captain and said he had enjoyed the passion shown in the Rugby League World Cup so far.
"I love the passion of all the countries and not the heavyweights of the competition.
"A lot of these guys want to play for their home roots now which is great, they are very passionate about pulling on the jersey.
"It makes for a really good mix and a recipe for a very successful World Cup.”