Basia McMillan
Seven-year-old Frankie to set new record climbing 3,000m Mount Olympus for Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team
Fundraising for Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team
Story
Hi, we’re Frankie and Basia. Welcome to our JustGiving page.
At the beginning of September 2023, we are climbing Mount Olympus in Greece, historically the Mountain of the Gods. It’s one of the highest mountains in Europe, standing at a towering 2,918 metres / 9,573 feet.
And we’re not just climbing a mountain. We’re also breaking a record! Because, according to the Hellenic Mountain Guides Association, at just seven years old, Frankie will be the youngest Briton ever to climb to the famous 2,918m summit of Olympus.
Usually children his age aren’t allowed to climb Olympus, not to mention the highest of its summits, Mytikas, given its three days of trekking and technical climbs - around a kilometre of vertical ascents and descents with ropes, and grade 3 scrambles... but Frankie is granted special dispensation to climb it, given his proficiency in his climbing lessons and his experience in our lovely Lakeland fells – both unusual for a boy his age.
But we know that, for all his enthusiasm and experience, a climb on this scale will be a real test of strength and determination for him. And keeping that motivation high is just one of the reasons why Frankie wants to use his huge adventure to raise funds for Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, who have the same passion and thirst for challenge that Frankie has at even his tender age.
If you can help us support our local mountain heroes, just as Frankie takes on a few mountain heroics of his own, we’d so appreciate you. Even the smallest donation will make a difference. Every penny will count towards saving lives and helping those who find themselves in an emergency while walking the Lakeland fells we all love.
Thank you!
Mountains of thanks and love from Frankie and Basia xx
ABOUT FRANKIE:
When he was very small, my son, Frankie, would ask me when he could come with me on one of my day mountain trips. And so one day, when he was just three years old, he and I set off to tackle Catbells. Really I didn’t expect he would manage it, but I figured we would have a great time together regardless of how far and how high he got.
Was I wrong! He plodded his way right to the top, and was entirely unfazed by the scramble that must have been ten times his height!
More importantly, he loved it. And in that moment, at a trig point 451 metres high, our hiking partnership was born.
Frankie is now seven years old and at this moment, when I am writing this, he has already bagged more than 260 mountains including 180 Wainwrights. He’s also determined that one day he’ll climb Everest, the mountain he sees on his bedside wallpaper.
ABOUT WASDALE MOUNTAIN RESCUE:
Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team has been assisting people in the western fells of the Lake District for over 50 years. They cover England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, and respond to over one hundred calls for help each year. The team consists of approximately forty ‘professional volunteers’ who give their time to help those in need, whatever the weather, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
P.S. why not follow us on Facebook to see our training unfold and check on our progress? You can find more of Frankie’s mountain adventures there too.