On September 4th 2008 I will be joining an expedition to climb Cho Oyu, which at 8,201m (approx 27,000 feet) is the worlds 6th highest mountain.  The purpose of the expedition is twofold:-

i) to achieve a personal ambition

ii) to raise significant funds for Richard House Childrens Hospice

For further details on Richard House please visit  www.richardhouse.org.uk  The charity will not be funding any of the cost of the expedition, all funds raised through this website will go to charity.

Please give all the help you can in raising funds for a very worthy cause.  I will also be organising a number of training and fundraising events over the coming months - all of which I will encourage you to join me on.  Further details to follow.

THE CHALLENGE: CHO OYU

The challenges that I will face on the expedition are immense, including exposure to the most extreme weather conditions on the planet, altitude related conditions, avalanches as well as the obvious technical and physical demands of climbing a mountain that is over 8 times the size of England's highest summit.

Chances of success are low, not many people have the physical capability to climb so high, particularly without the aid of supplementary oxygen.  The physiological problem of climbing at altitude is that the amount of oxygen in the air decreases linearly with ascent and is roughly one third at the summit of Cho Oyu.  It is important to appreciate that the partial pressure of oxygen at the summit of Cho Oyu is very close to the limits at which humans can survive at all, even for a short time.  Symptoms of high altitude sickness range from headaches, vomiting and insomnia to mental blackouts and cerebral edemas.

Deterioration becomes increasingly apparent above 7000m.  The feeling of tioredness increases and more importantly, appetite falls; even foods that were popular at lower altitudes appear tasteless and unpaletable.  Weight loss is profound and lethargy sets in, adding to the difficulties of cooking, which usually takes hours even in ideal circumstances.  Sleep becomes intermittent due to the lack of oxygen, the cold is felt more even in the warmest of sleeping bags.  Climbing even an easy slope becomes a painstaking, breathless achievement.  Finally in the "death zone" above 7,600m no human body can acclimatise.  Staying for longer than necessary will result in deterioration of bodily functions, loss of consciousness and ultimately, death.

Once underway, regular dispatches tracking the progress of the expedition will be listed on the following site  http://www.fieldtouring.com/dispatches/cho_oyu_2008.php

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Richard House Trust 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.