First week in July I’m heading to Chamonix to climb the Dent du Géant (“giant’s tooth”), a monolithic outcrop at 13,166 ft on the Rochfort arete between Italy and France. I’m climbing it for Brain Tumour Research because it’s a cause I am passionate about, following my Mum losing her battle to this illness.

Weather permitting, the day before my 50th birthday, I’ll be heading to a high mountain hut in the Italian alps for a final acclimatisation climb. Then, with a super early alpine start (0400), Wednesday 10 July, I’ll be attempting the classic South-West Face on the Dent du Géant.

This juggernaut of a mountain requires a delicate footing on the summit where its narrow and outrageously exposed. The descent is a 500 ft abseil into thin air so not for the faint hearted.

Every donation makes a huge difference in helping Brain Tumour Research.