2 men,

50 days,

500 miles,

150 000 feet of ascent.

(5 times the height of Everest)

Across the entire Pyrenees, from the Atlantic,

to the Mediterranean .

Unsupported.

Why are we doing it?

Stewart's brother in law, Huw was diagnosed with cancer this year. He is only 39, married with a young family. Watching Huw go through his chemotherapy and how it affected everyone around him was the catalyst for us wanting to do something. We became more aware of people around us, at work, colleagues who had someone die or were seriously ill in their family through this disease. Huw is still undergoing treatment.

Why Cancer Research Wales?

It was Huw's idea that the funds raised should go to research. Cancer Research Wales was the obvious choice as Huw and ourselves all live in Wales. Incidentally, Derrick is English and Stewart is Scottish!

Why the Pyrenees?

Stewart has always had a soft spot for France and after tackling a short section in 2004 with Derrick it seemed the obvious choice. It offers an enormous challenge, and we will cover all sorts of different terrain, from grassy upland pasture, boulder strewn scree slopes, ice, snow and forest.

What do we mean by unsupported?

We will be on our own! Other than the mountain huts dotted throughout the Pyrenees where we will be able to find the odd meal we will be wild camping. That means that whenever we get the chance to re-supply with food, we will have to take it, as some sections will involve three or four days where none will be available. In short, if we don't carry it, we won't have it. Water too can be a problem and can be scarce depending on the snowfall during winter. Due to the route we will be attempting, we will have to navigate, as there are no recognised paths for most of the trip. We can also be further hampered by the weather which is extremely unpredictable in the Pyrenees, with thunderstorms and fog being the norm, along with extremely high temperatures in the high 30's centigrade. In 2004 it even snowed in July!

So how much will we have to carry?

We are hoping to keep weight to the minimum, with water and food being a priority. We hope to get away with around 40lbs each, which may not sound much, but I can assure you it feels a lot heavier, after a ten-hour day scrambling up a mountain!

How long will it take us?

We have set ourselves the target of 50 days. I know it sound easy, only ten miles a day, but we will be climbing on average 3000 feet a day, every day for seven weeks, carrying 40lbs in weight. We both think it is achievable, and we won't be giving up lightly.

To find out more and to keep up to date, visit www.transpyrenees2007.blogspot.com

Thanks for your support

Derrick and Stewart

 If you support only one charity event in 2007, make it ours. Help us to help Cancer Research Wales.