In April 2015 Hayes was on a double expedition to attempt Makalu, the world's 5th highest mountain, followed by Lhotse, the world's 4th highest. The expeditions were aborted due to the Nepal Earthquake of 25 April 2015. Hayes, a Nepalese speaker and former registered Paramedic subsequently embarked on providing medical aide in the hills and mountains of the country, which led to the setting up of MIRA Himalaya (Medicine in Remote Areas, Himalaya), a project supported by Nepalese sponsors to provide an annual medical camp in the country.