Des, who lives at The Brambles, joined 14 other British people to take part in the Nanda Devi Alpine Challenge last month.
At 7,816 metres, Nanda Devi is the highest mountain in the Indian Himalayas, not far from the Tibetan border.
Des, who has worked with the Operation Mercy charitable organisation since 1972, lived in the Indian subcontinent for a total of nine years in the 1970s and '80s.
The recent hike, trekking up to 3,640 metres as part of a sponsorship challenge to raise £55,000 for a new Dalit Education Centre in Northern India, gave the former Belfast High School pupil an opportunity to reacquaint himself with the country he once called home.
"I felt a sense of exhilaration at familiar sounds, smells and colourful sights - and amazement at evidence of economic progress in stylish new urban architecture and a new plethora of private cars," said Des.
"Yet there was dismay at the seemingly endless squalor, slums and overcrowding."
Only one aspect of the week-long trek proved a little disappointing for the group - the weather. "It was much wetter than we had hoped, so we didn't get to see all the Himalayan vistas," explained Des.
The Newtownabbey man currently works with Operation Mercy in Northern Ireland and this year the charity's UK arm partnered an organisation called Trailblazers to support Dalit education in India through the Nanda Devi Challenge.
"India has 250 million 'untouchables' who have also been called 'Dalit' - broken people," said Des.
"In India's ancient caste system, the Dalits are viewed as being lower than Hindus and by many as lower than animals.
"Recently, many Dalits have been seeking freedom from the severe oppression of the ancient Hindu caste system."
At an historic meeting with representatives of the Christian community, Dalit leaders requested one thing - education for their children.
"This year, Operation Mercy India is on track to see 80 Dalit Education Centres out of a promised 100 - and we're glad to report that the trekking team is well on the way to reaching its fund-raising target," added Des.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the project or find out more about Operation Mercy is invited to contact Des on 07816 969352, email: harperdes@hotmail.com
Des took the opportunity to spend two weeks before the trek meeting old Indian friends and colleagues.
"I was impressed at their ongoing Christian service in seeking to see lives and communities positively transformed, despite the tragic current climate of violence," he reflected.