Having been working in the Maxillofacial Surgery department at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, I have come to realise that, despite living in an increasingly competitive world, it is still possible to be successful and a gentleman.

As a result, I wish to raise some money for a very inspiring charity set up by a group of talented surgeons who dedicate their precious time to deal with facial dysfigurement: Facing the World.

At the end of April 2013, I was a member of a group who embarked on a daring, thrilling and dangerous challenge: a seven day 180km high altitude traverse through both spectacular and life threatening terrain. The traverse is a classic route from the Chamonix Valley in France, home of Mont Blanc (4,810m) to Zermatt in Switzerland, home of the Matterhorn (4,478m).

The first day was the most arduous; 10 hours of continuous splitboarding across an avalanche prone glacial paradise under a relentless sunshine to reach our nightime shelter at 3,170m. This came at a price as we lost a member of the team who had to turn back. His body hadn't acclimatised. Having overcome the most difficult hurdle, the following days were a relative breeze and saw the now well gelled team cross through Verbier and reach Arolla. This is where our journey ended- Avalanche risk 4, time to turn back, the risk was too great. 

A journey that had ended painfully prematurely due to adverse weather conditions was replaced with a new challenge- a two day splitboarding and mountaineering ascent to the Gran Paradiso Peak (4,061m) in Italy.  Having reached the mountain hut of Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II at 2,732m we set off the next day at 4,30am to reach the summit after a 5 hour ascent. Now came the reward; a freeride snowboard descent down untouched powder from the summit down to the valley at circa 1,500m.

A failed Haute route traverse had turned into a successful summit ascent of the highest peak in Italy.

The aborted Haute Route attempt had left grit in between our teeth but there's always next year.... I'm training for it already, bring on 2014 and please dig deep into your pockets.. 

http://hr1911.blogspot.co.uk/?view=magazine

http://www.facingtheworld.net

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So please dig deep and donate now.

David