Andrew Bentham
Andrew's Mera Peak 2021 Challenge
Fundraising for Gurkha Welfare Trust
Story
INTRODUCTION
Andrew here. I've been fell walking since 1976. 'It's not the distance, speed or the time; it's the journey'. I have stood on the summit of some of the most beautiful mountains in England, Scotland and Wales. I enjoy the physical, emotional and psychological challenges trekking offers and thoroughly embrace it.
My pinnacle so far; Everest Base Camp (EBC) 5386masl, October / November 2018. I was part of a 4 man team, privileged to trek to EBC. On 4th November 2018, we arrived at the foot of the Khumbu Glacier.
October 2021 will be a tiny bit more challenging (he says tongue in cheek).
THE CHALLENGE
Mera Peak, highest trekking peak in Nepal; 6476masl. I leave for Kathmandu (KTM) on 2 October 2021, returning to UK on 21 October 2021. The trekking company I am using is the same company we used for EBC; Mountain Ram Adventures, operating out of KTM. The challenges on my trek are numerous; altitude, fitness and mental strength to name a few.
CHOSEN CHARITY (MY ID # 345963)
The Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) ensures Gurkha veterans, their widows and their wider communities, are able to live with dignity in Nepal, through the provision of financial, medical and community aid. I am a veteran of HM Forces; RAF 1979 to 1994. There are obvious charities associated with the RAF, however, I have chosen to support GWT. By doing this, I am giving something back to my hosts.
THE BRIGADE OF GURKHAS
These incredibly trustworthy, loyal and brave soldiers have been part of the British Army for over 200 years. Gurkhas have served the British Crown with distinction, excellence and sacrifice, in conflict and war worldwide. Their history is incredible and our nation owes these brave soldiers a huge debt. Please visit this link for an in-depth understanding of their history and culture; https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/brigade-of-gurkhas.
COVID 19
Everything is carried forward to 2021. This page is extended until 3 April 2022, enabling outstanding donations enough time to appear.
FUNDRAISING
All donations go directly to GWT; my Challenge is self funded. The target stands at £2501. For any reason something prevents me from achieving the Challenge e.g. injury, sickness, pandemics, acts of God, etc, a full explanation will be updated here. It goes without saying, your generosity is gratefully received.
TRAINING
The 6 P's:
Proper Preparation Prevents Pretty Poor Performance.
WINTER SKILLS COURSE
Due to C19 travel restrictions, this became online theory training, with Snowdonia Adventures.Completed. Practical training will be carried out in Nepal during the trek.
PROJECT WAINWRIGHT
There are 214 Wainwrights in The Lake District. My target is 107 before I leave on 2/10/21. I am walking the routes contained in Stuart Marshall's book 'Walking The Wainwrights'. Also Google Wainwrights in 36 walks for all the information.
- 12/9/2020 - Route 12. Silver How, Blea Rigg, Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle, Loft Crag, Pike O Stickle, Thunacar Knott, Sergeant Man, Tarn Crag. COMPLETED.
- 11/10/2020 - Route 6. Great Mell Fell, Little Mell Fell, Gowbarrow Fell. COMPLETED.
- 12/10/2020 - Route 7. Bonscale Pike, Arthur's Pike, Loadpot Hill, Ether Hill, Steal Knotts,High Raise, Kidsty Pike, Rampsgill Head, The Knott, Rest Dodd, The Nab. COMPLETED.
- 14/10/2020 - Rest Day. Hallin Fell. COMPLETED.
- 15/10/2020 - Route 8. Beda Fell, Angletarn Pikes, Brock Crags, Place Fell. COMPLETED.
- 16/10/2020 - Route 5. Hartsop Above How + The Priest's Cave, Hartsop Dodd, Caudale Moor, Red Screes, Middle Dodd, Little Hart Crag, High Hartsop Dodd. COMPLETED.
- 30/5/21 - Route 9. Selside Pike, Branstree, Tarn Crag, Grey Crag. COMPLETED.
- 31/5/21 - Route 10. Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick, Thornthwaighte Crag, Gran Crag, High Street, Mardale Ill Bell, Harter Fell, Kentmere Pike, Shipman Knotts. COMPLETED.
- 1/6/21 - Route 11. Sour Howes, Swallows, Troutbeck Tongue, Wansfell. COMPLETED.
- 3/6/21 - Route 4. Clough Head, Great Dodd, Watson's Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd, High Rigg. COMPLETED.
- 4/6/21 Route 29. Whieside, Hopegill Head, Grasmoor 29/5/21. Wandhope, Whiteless Pike, Rannerdale Knotts. COMPLETED.
- 5/6/21 - Route 26. Grisedale Pike, Crag Hill (Eel Crag), Sail, Outerside, Barrow. COMPLETED.
- 7/8/21 - Route 19. Wetherlam, Swirl How, Great Carrs, Grey Friar, Brim Fell, Coniston Old Man, Dow Crag. COMPLETED.
- 18/9/21 - Route 27. Catbells, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head, Hindscarth, Robinson, Knott Rigg, Ard Crags, Scar Crags, Causey Pike. COMPLETED.
Total Wainwrights to date: 108
WAINWRIGHTS target exceeded.
CHALLENGE WALKS.
- Simonside Challenge (Navigate Northumberland) 24/4/2021. BOOKED. COMPLETED.
- Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge (Navigate Northumberland)15/5/2021. BOOKED. COMPLETED.
- College Valley Challenge (Navigate Northumberland) 26/6/2021. BOOKED. HALF COMPLETED . Leader called "TIME" due to weather.
- Ingram Valley Challenge (Navigate Northumberland) 24/7/2021. BOOKED. COMPLETED
- Hadrian's Wall Challenge (Navigate Northumberland) 21/8/2021. BOOKED. COMPLETED
GENTLE JAUNTS
- 50 miles in 20 hours: 20/2/2021 reached 43 miles - equipment failure; head torch u/s
- 50 miles in 20 hours: 27/2/2021. COMPLETED IN 18 HOURS.
- WHT 100 prep: Sec 1 - home to The Well (pub) Bulkington. 15 miles via Westbury White Horse. 13/3/2021 COMPLETED.
- WHT 100 prep: Sec 2 - The Well to Devizes White Horse. 8 miles. 21/3/2021. COMPLETED.
- WHT 100 prep: Sec 3 - Devizes White Horse to Alton Barnes White Horse. 12 miles. 24/3/2021. COMPLETED.
- WHT 100 prep: Sec 4 - Alton Barnes White Horse to Cherhill White Horse. 9.6 miles. 25/3/2021. COMPLETED.
- WHT 100 prep. Sec 4 Alton Barnes White Horse to Cherhill White Horse via Avebury. Mileage and route check. 26/3/2021. COMPLETED.
- WHT 100 prep: Sec 5 - Cherhill White Horse to Broad Town White Horse. 7.8 miles. 30/3/202. COMPLETED.
- WHT 100 prep: Sec 6 - Broad Town White Horse to Hackpen Hill White Horse. 6.3 miles. 30/3/202. COMPLETED.
- WHT 100 prep: Sec 7 - Hackpen Hill White Horse to Marlborough White Horse. 6.5 miles. 31.3.2021. COMPLETED.
- WHT 100 prep: Sec 8 - Marlborough White Horse to Pewsey White Horse. 11.3 miles. 31/3/2021. COMPLETED.
- WHT 100 prep: Sec 9 - Pewsey White Horse to Redhorn Hill. 10 miles. 1/4/2021. COMPLETED.
- WHT 100 prep: Sec 10 - Redhorn Hill to Westbury White Horse. 14 miles. 1/4/2021. COMPLETED.
- WHITE HORSE TRAIL 100 (WHT 100): 100 miles in 48 hours - 9,10,11/4/2021. DIFFERENT OUTCOME. Saved for a later date. 58.8 miles completed in 23 hours 20 minutes.
- SNOWDON HORSESHOE VIA CRIB GOCH. 19/6/21. COMPLETED.
- WHITE HORSE RAMBLE. Devizes White Horse to Alton Barnes White Horse. 12 miles. 4/7/21. COMPLETED.
- COLD KITCHEN HILL. Last official GENTLE JAUNT. 10 stretch out. COMPLETED.
GURKHA WELFARE TRUST UPDATE
"Last year, on top of much more, we paid a monthly pension to over 4,400 Gurkha veterans and widows, treated 84,000 medical cases, and brought clean water to over 37,500 people.
- £21.50 could support a veteran or widow through the toughest of times- like after a landslide, a flood, or fire.
- £17.85 could provide a grant for a disabled child of a veteran- to help by life’s essentials for a week.
- £45.00 could provide a pension for two weeks- a lifeline for many Gurkha veterans, their widows, and families
- · £90.00 could provide a pension for a whole month- a lifeline for many Gurkha veterans, their widows, and families.
- £122.00 could pay for nine specially insulated flasks- to help our pensioners keep warm throughout the harsh Nepali winters."
Thank you for all donations received so far. The update above gives us an idea, where the funds are helping. We have all contributed to changing the lives of so many people. I am honoured and privileged to be supported by such wonderful people.
Thank you.
Andrew.