Thanks for taking the time to visit this page...

In 2013 I aim to summit Mount Aconcagua which is the tallest mountain in the world outside of the Himalayas.   It happens to be the tallest mountain in the southern hemisphere and is the tallest mountain in the world which requires no technical climbs (e.g. rope climbing)

Mount Aconcagua, put simply is a beast.  Its name in native American is “sentinel of stone” or ”white sentinel”.  It rests at 6962amsl (above mean sea level) and requires 21 days in which to climb it. There are no guarantees that I will make it as the weather is very unpredictable and can change within a few minutes.  Another stepping stone is altitude sickness, which I have firsthand experience of.  This ranges from the mild symptoms which include sickness and headaches, to the most extreme being a full cerebral oedema (a stroke).  Throw this in with the constant risk of injury and illness and this really will be a challenge of a lifetime!  I have every intention of making it to the top and hope to fulfil my dream; however this is by no means easy!

I have chosen a very experienced team to help me complete this challenge. They are Inka Expediciones who have a first rate history on the mountain.  To the left are three photos which they have very kindly let me use (full credits must go to them!)

Now... to talk about my chosen charities...

 A number of years ago I completed a 100mile walk in aid of Marwell Wildlife.  I managed to raise £1250 for a new Sand Cat project which was being completed at the park.  I have always been fascinated by our environment and truly believe that we need to protect it.  During my travels I have seen first hand how close we have come to loosing some amazing creatures.  In 2006 I was privileged to visit the Amazon Rainforest and during my stay I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a Giant River Otter.  This mammal is on the endangered list and at the worst, there were only 5000 left in the wild.  Fortunately, due to conservation this number has increased and I have been lucky enough to see a small family in the Manu River Basin.  I believe that I have Marwell Wildlife to thank for my love of wildlife and the environment.  Marwell are currently leading various conservation projects across Africa with some real challenges ahead of them.  Marwell Wildlife is currently trying to preserve Grevys Zebra in Northern Kenya and also reintroduce the Scimitar Horned Oryx back to the wild. At this time the Scimitar Horned Oryx is extinct in the wild and the only populations are held in captivity. This is an amazing feat and will be a tough challenge.  I have been impressed to read that Marwell were in the forefront of protecting this vulnerable species from all out extinction. Marwell also lead other projects in both the UK and in Zimbabwe to support endangered and threatened species.

 I feel proud to support such a noble and worthwhile cause that will not just benefit the UK, but communities around the world for the future.

My second charity (these are in no particular order) is St Michaels Hospice.  Before 2006, I was very much unaware of the existence of the hospice.  I was always aware that the hospice was located in Basingstoke; however I always believed that they received full Government support and was a part of the NHS.  In 2006 I visited a very close family friend who was admitted to St Michaels Hospice.  I was amazed at the care that the dedicated staff provided. Unfortunately several days later Phyllis Ferguson passed away.  To this day I have felt that I owed a debt of gratitude to the Hospice for the exceptional work that they provided to her.

Following the funeral I made a promise to Phyllis Fergusons family that I would look to raise money in honour of the work that St Michael’s Hospice completed and in Phyllis’s name. To date I have not raised money for St Michaels Hospice due to commitments in my own life. In January 2010 I travelled to Northern Tanzania for a trip of a lifetime attempting to summit the tallest Freestanding Mountain in the world, Kilimanjaro (5895m). On 30^th January 2010 at 0807 I successfully summited it.  At 3am on the final climb up the steep edge of the mountain I began to see faces on each side of my shoulders.  Some may think I was going mad (and sometimes I think I was too!) but to this day I believe that I was seeing Phyllis pushing me on to the summit.  St Michael’s Hospice is a charity that many do not want to have to use, however they play such an important role in our community and without them many families will have to go through a difficult time on their own.  For this I am truly thankful.

Aconcagua is likely to be the tallest mountain I will ever climb. At just short of 7000m it will not be an easy challenge, but quite the contrary. I am looking to raise £20,000 for each charity by using various different methods.  This challenge will draw on not just my physical strength, but my mental strength too.  I will be camping each night in freezing temperatures and surviving on basic meals which we will need to carry with us. I will be missing all of the comforts of home for the full 21 days and will need to train for the next 3 years to ensure I am both physically and mentally prepared. Please support me for this challenge as this is for two very worthy charities.

Photos of Aconcagua generously supplied by Inka Expediciones. (http://www.inka.com.ar/)