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On the 15th October 2011 five of my colleagues and I set out on the Everest trail heading for Island Peak, a 20,355ft mountain that requires ropes, crampons, ice axes and a good deal of nerve to reach its summit. It is a 'full on' Himalayan Giant, no less than 5,000ft higher than Mont Blanc that towers over Chimoux on the french/Italian border. 

Once at Base Camp, we will prepare our gear, rehearse some of the basic mountain drills that enable us to move safely together on ropes, and then very early one morning, set off for the summit. It is a three week adventure that will test us all to the limit. I have never been to this altitude before, so have no idea how I will cope. It will be a major step into the unknown. Our main guide Kenton Cool and the Sherpas, who have considerably more experience at these altitudes, will guide us and keep an eye on us. But they can’t climb the mountain for us. The final summit ridge is a thin blade of snow that extends steeply into the sky for around 300 metres, with a jaw dropping abyss either side. Not a place to trip over crampons as the concentration fades!

Our team’s mission is also to “recce” the route for the St. James’s Place Everest 2012 Expedition that takes place in April and May 2012, where 25 trekkers head for Base Camp and one of our employees attempts to the summit of Everest itself.

I hope to raise money for the St. James’s Place Foundation that supports worthy causes, particularly children with special needs, both in the UK and overseas.I would emphasise that every penny of sponsorship goes to the Foundation. All climbers are paying all of their own costs for this expedition. 

 

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You can visit the St. James's Place Foundation website at: http://www.sjp.co.uk/portal/internet/stjamessplacefoundation