On 14th June I will be starting a 4 day ascent up Mount Toubkal in the Atlas mountains, North Africa's highest mountain.

I have done this before by a similar route (not the one in the picture). The route is not technical, but it is hard work, partly because we ascend 8,000 feet at speed to the top on the second day, which gives no time for acclimatisation to an atmosphere with only has 2/3rds of the oxygen available at sea level. We took longer last time.

No doubt there will be stories to tell. For example, last time, whilst sleeping outside my tent I was woken at 3am by a toad the size of a boxing glove snoring 2 inches from my nose. Quite memorable. Carole will enjoy the snakes.

I have set a very challenging sponsorship target, but this excellent cause championed by these two amazing ladies is worth the effort, so I am hoping for about £100 from private sponsors and at least £500 from corporate sponsors if I am to get there. Please contribute online.

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Many thanks for your support.