Dear All,

 

As some of you may already know, I have taken it upon myself to climb the worlds highest active volcano Mt. Cotopaxi 5,897m all in the name of charity.

 

As an amputee losing my arm in a motorcycle accident 5 years ago this is a charity that is close to myself and feel it will be inspirational to the younger readers of the magazine for me to complete the challenge.

I am primarily climbing the mountain for Reach although there sister charity steps will also receive funds

Challenge Web Site:

http://www.charitychallenge.com/expedition_details.php?id=2137&trip=532

Charity Web Sites:

http://www.reach.org.uk/

http://www.steps-charity.org.uk/home.php  

                                Mt. Cotopaxi (5,897m)    

 

“Climb the World’s Highest Active Volcano”  

While being one of the smallest in area and population, Ecuador is also one of the richest in terms of geographical wonders, flora and fauna. Centre stage is the masterpiece of Ecuador's varied geography - the dramatic, beautiful and seemingly endless Andes, which bisect not only Ecuador from north to south but also the entire South American continent. These legendary mountains are the location for your challenging mountain trek - the ‘Avenue of the Volcanoes’. Beginning in the laid-back, multi-ethnic city of Quito - one of the highest capitals in the world - you will visit the equator and a fascinating Ethnographic museum before heading for the nearby volcanoes to start your trek in the beautiful Andes, gradually acclimatizing to the thin air at an altitude of 10,000ft. Your challenge begins with trekking for several days from the Pichincha active volcano, across the Andean highlands, past rarely visited peaks such as the Corazon volcano, culminating in the magical mountain of Cotopaxi. The varied but always beautiful landscape will entrance even the most seasoned traveller during this tough but exceptional trek. Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world, standing a few meters higher than Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, is first seen on the horizon as a near perfect snow-capped cone rising out of the lush Andean cloud forest. The climb to its snow-capped summit is optional to those of our group who are exceptionally fit and prepared for the tough summit bid. Much of the final Cotopaxi summit climb is on its glacier, and you will leave the refuge to start your climb at about midnight when the ice is hard and easier to trek on. It’s only as the sun slowly starts to rise, that you realise how high up you really are, as the clouds that for days have been so far up, are now way down below you. Through gaps in the cloud, there are spectacular views of the Andes in every direction, and if the day is clear, you will be able to see the four other volcanoes that you have trekked on or reached the summit of. Having descended to the refuge triumphant, you will return to Quito for a final celebration before leaving Ecuador for home.

I am now committed to raising £2750 for Reach & Steps Charity’s for completing the challenge which will be featured in the Reach charity quarterly magazine.  Any donations would be a tremendous help.

All sponsorship money has to be to into the charities by: Monday 20th November 2006

I am also now committed to getting fit!  oh dear. 

Regards

Craig Parks

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Steps Charity Worldwide will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.