Everest 2008- Training

I'm often asked what training I am doing for going to Everest. Well, from what I have learned from my little experience on climbing 8000 metre peaks is that it is not all about physical fitness but that said you do have to be in good shape.

So to prepare, I do as much running as I can, lots of 10K's, half marathons and run the 2 miler at work at lunch time, always chasing my times. I'm also at the gym as often as I can, doing resistance training and get a game of football in once a week.

The most important thing though, in my opinion, is to be hill fit and getting out on the hills with a heavy pack ( I usually carry the ropes!) is the thing I strive to do as much as possible. Most weekends I try and get a Munro or two in or a couple of winter graded routes. On the big mountains, summit day usually involves climbing through the night and so to feel comfortable with that environment, this year I have also done a few Munro's at night. The weather is not always the best at this time of year but the training still needs to be done and so Sunday saw my friend Colin and I having a bit of a gnarly day in Stob Coire nan Lochan. A cold wet and extremally windy day saw us opt to tackle the sheltered NC Gully (II). With no-one else ahead of us we boosted up the route in 3 quick pitches and then got absoultely slammed by what felt like 80mph gusts as we topped out of the gully. We actually got lifted of our feet at some points as we negotiated our way along the ridge and then dropped in to the sheltered Broad Gully (I) which we down climbed and made a quick retreat to the car.

Unfortunately the camera wasn't working so here's a pic of the last pitch on NC Gully on a better day.

Sponser Announced

I have great pleasure in announcing EnergySolutions as the Major Sponsor of my Everest 2008 Expedition.

EnergySolutions is a full-service nuclear fuel cycle company that is committed to environmental protection, energy independence and a safe and growing industry. With their dedication to environmental friendliness, EnergySolutions is solving the problems of global warming and energy dependence in addition to cleaning up the environmental consequences of the cold war.

Climbing big mountains involves incredible preparation, dedication and teamwork. No amount of determination is able to get these big scale expeditions off the ground without the proper funding. I sincerely thank EnergySolutions for their vision, support and belief in my project.

http://www.energysolutions.com/

Going South!

I have decided on the route I will attempt Everest. It will be the route that brought the first summits in 1953, for Hillary and Tenzing Norgay- the South East Ridge route ( this assumes Mallory and Irvine were unsuccesful !!). I have attached a picture of the route. Also, by double clicking on the picture on my first post, you can see the route, for real, from the summit of Cho Oyu in 2006.

Change of Focus!

At approximately 8.30 am on the 1st of October 2006, I stood on the summit of Cho Oyu (26906ft, 8201m), the 6th highest mountain in the World. We had climbed through the night from Camp 2 as we were unable to get a Camp 3 in, due to some unseasonal weather that year.

One of my ambitions was always to summit an 8000 meter peak, but standing on Cho's summit and looking East another 8000 meter peak stood front and centre, Everest. I knew there and then that my ambitions had changed.

(Double click on picture to enlarge)

For more Photos of my Cho Oyu Expedition click the link below

http://www.flickr.com/photos/90437807@N00/sets/72157606545110279/