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In May I will be part of a team of Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, Royal Marine and civilian personnel who will be attempting to reach the summit of Denali, also known as Mt McKinley, North Americas highest mountain.

This expedition, “Staffordshire Fire & Ice 2008”, is being undertaken in order to raise money for the FSNBF.

“Deadly Denali” is located in Denali National Park close to the Arctic Circle in Alaska and is one of the coldest mountains in the world. The air temperature at the time of year we will be on the mountain can fall below -35 degrees C and which experiences extremely strong winds. This windchill can reduce the temperatures even further.

The mountain stands at a height of 20,320ft, but due its proximity so close to the Arctic Circle, makes it  more difficult to climb than other mountains of a comparable height. The latitude in conjunction with the air pressure and lack of oxygen, means that climbing Denali is the equivalent of climbing a mountain of 23,000ft in any other part of the world.

During the 3 week expedition, 6th-27th May, team members will be carrying rucksacks weighing up to 80lbs while also pulling heavy sleds containing all the food, supplies and tents required for the trip. We will cross crevasse fields, avalanche zones and live in tents or snow holes on the mountain. This will be a real challenge of mental and physical strength and endurance and technical ability in surviving and working in such hostile weather conditions.

The expedition has been in the planning for over a year and there is a team of people working hard in assisting with the organising and raising the sponsorship.

Rigorous training has been taking place throughout this time by all team members. This has included mountain training throughout the UK and we have recently been to  Norway to carry out cold weather and technical training. We are now in the final stages of preparation.

To find out more about the expedition you can visit our websites

http://sfrsdenali.wordpress.com
www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk

Please sponsor us in this extremely challenging expedition and in doing so help us raise money for the FSNBF, to enable them to continue the vital work they do in assisting and providing support to Fire Fighters and their families.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Fire Services National Benevolent Fund 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!

We will let you all now how much we have raised on completion.

Many thanks for your support.

Fire & Ice Team