THE ADVENTURER RETURNS

After 3 years of fundraising to a total of £4000, training in all weathers which induced 2 hospital admissions, and recurrent equipment failures, Jonathan Small has completed his charity trek in aid of the Raynaud’s & Scleroderma Association (ww.raynauds.org.uk). His mother, Pat Small, suffered from these painful and debilitating conditions for many years, resulting in a decade of kidney dialysis up to her death in 1995 at the age of 55.

The trek Jonathan completed in September was called the “Avenue of the Volcanoes”, culminating in an ice-climb of one of the world’s highest active volcanoes – Cotopaxi in Ecuador. The expedition is rated as one of the most challenging charity treks, far more difficult than Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp according to those who are seasoned “trekkers”.

At the age of 42, Jonathan says it was the most difficult, exhausting challenge he has ever faced. Over one week, he completed two acclimitisation hikes to 4200m, before first attempting the summit of Illinazas Norte at 5126m, then Cotopaxi at 5897m. For both of these volcanoes, he started walking hours before dawn by torchlight only. Illinazas was very physically- & mentally-challenging for Jonathan due to the shortness of breath at altitude, but he pushed on knowing that his mother had suffered more every day through her illness than he endured on the mountain. He was surprised at how emotional he was, fighting back the tears as he scrambled his way over rocks and ice to reach the summit at over 16000 feet high. The views were breathtaking, including Jonathan’s first sight of the behemoth that he was to take on next – Cotopaxi.

Just 2 days later, at midnight and suffering from lack of sleep, Jonathan and his local guide set off from a mountain refuge hut partway up the volcano. After 2 hours and 1500 feet of uphill scree, they reached the edge of an ancient glacier so donned their crampons and ice axes for the long hard slog to the summit. Jonathan found the lack of sunlight demoralising and, whilst he had learnt to cope with the high altitude breathing, the lactic acid build-up in his legs didn’t dissipate quickly and this proved to be incredibly tiring. It nearly jeaopardised Jonathan’s attempt to climb higher than he had ever done in his life. After 7 hours of constant uphill struggle, climbing ice walls and traversing deep crevasses, he reached the summit where he promptly collapsed from the exertion of it all. Once recovered, he was able to take on board the momentous achievement and enjoy the spectacular views afforded by standing at 19347 feet high. It was as if he was on the roof of the world, looking into the silent crater of this active volcano which was decades overdue for another eruption. The climb down was just as treacherous, with tired legs frequently giving way, but the immensity of the glacier underfoot could not go unnoticed as the rising sun made the irregular surface glisten and sparkle.

Once the trek was completed, Jonathan felt satisfied that all the hard work had been worth it, and that he’d completed a fitting tribute to honour the 15 anniversary of his mother’s death. He also said he didn’t want to see another mountain again for a very long time!

Jonathan would like to thank all his sponsors and anyone who donated to the Raynaud’s & Scleroderma Association (ww.raynauds.org.uk) who are on a 2-year mission to raise a ‘cool million’ pounds. Further donations for Jonathan’s trek are still welcome at www.justgiving.com/FootmanJ.