see end for update

An all too familiar story ... Dave was a colleague and friend of 20 years, fit as a fiddle and taken away far too early .

Sponsored events have not been my style previously - probably the last one was back at school ( a LONG time ago !) . But, after a few other fundraising events have fallen through this year ( yep - ... the pandemic ) i thought i should set myself a "challenge". By definition it needs to be difficult and , if it's going to raise any money it needs to be something that people can relate to . Hence , this simple-sounding challenge to make as many ascents of Snowdon in 24 hours . Initial charitable causes were "medical" related but I'm so glad that Philippa suggested the Wales Air Ambulance Trust - i'm a long term supporter of this worthy charity and Dave would very much approve !

I was undecided  "ethically" whether to do this but figured that i would only have the same impact as a group of kids walking up the hill ! I spend a lot of time on the mountains in North Wales  and i know that there will be some that don't agree with this event . I don't want criticism but instead a bit of support and most importantly donations for Wales Air Ambulance.  What i am  certain of is that Dave would have loved observing the physical and mental suffering and , knowing him , he'd have been there for the whole damn thing ! 

For those looking for stats here we go : the ascent of Snowdon via the PYG track is the shortest and starts from Pen Y Pass car park ( of recent parking "fame") . Its 3.5 miles and 650m climb to the top plus a tiny bit of wiggling and upping and downing along the way . So a full circuit is roughly 7 miles . I'll aim to plough through the 24 hours ( notice the use of the word "aim" & "plough" .... we'll see how that pans out !) and so it's possible to get in 10 ascents ....maybe more , maybe less . But that would be a distance of 70 miles and about 7000m ascent in 24 hours - all on hard rocky mountain tracks . I will go solo but it'd be great to see some familiar faces out there .... and not just in daylight hours !

Thanks for reading , supporting & donating !!

Chris

UPDATE ( 16/10/20) : SIABOD is the plan due to ongoing COVID restrictions .... I will start at 4am on Sunday 18th October and attempt to complete an ascent of Everest ( 8848m height ) in under 24 hours . This  is 13 ascents of the mountain from Plas Y Brenin . I will update FB straight after the attempt . 

FINAL UPDATE :  What a day . Perfect conditions for most of the day and a great turnout on the hill from runners and supporters alike . Chugging quickly through the first 6 ascents it really didn't seem too bad but , as predicted , each ascent got that bit tougher during the afternoon and evening . With darkness came blanket hill fog on the summit section which made some entertaining navigation with headtorch light reflecting off the fog ! But, at 01:25 on Monday i completed my 13th hill rep and had achieved my "Everest" . Feeling tired but well in-control i thought i'd head home to sleep .But,  I lasted about 10 minutes before i needed to stop and recharge the batteries with a power nap  , finally getting home just before 5am . 

HUGE THANKS to all of the people wo have so kindly donated to this worthwhile cause .So glad i got his done before the weather broke and we got locked up/down again !