Our Journey.
We started our journey at the end of 2019 hoping to take part in the ultimate endurance ski touring challenge, Everest in the Alps, uphill skiing the height of Mount Everest, the equivalent of running 12 marathons in 4 days.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the event from happening. We had covered hundreds of kilometres and as a team we were undeterred and persevered with our training, hoping to conquer a similar challenge. With travel restricted, we decided to walk the height of Everest on Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales.
The goal is to climb the height of Everest, which is 8,848m, on Snowdon, which means that we need to summit the tallest mountain in Wales at least 9 times over 3 days.
We will need to cover the distance of a marathon each day, but uphill!
Our story so far… By Harry Jack
Text book stuff. Hit 40. Feel a bit wobbly. Need to prove yourself. Want to challenge yourself. Raise money in the process to mask the obvious mid-life crisis. Yup, that’s me. As I take on the extraordinary challenge of climbing the equivalent height of Everest, I am asking you to dig deep to raise funds for two very worthy charities; Parkinson’s UK and The Brain Tumour Charity.
We aim to raise £100,000 and could do with a little help! This is our charity sponsorship page.
Earlier this year, three friends Dom Ward, Rob Sugden, Ru Elwes and I had planned to climb (on skis) the height of Everest in the Alps. We called ourselves Team Sáhasa, meaning laughter in Sanskrit (another midlife crisis red flag).
The lengthy training and change in plans has indeed been comic. Throughout recent lockdowns, training included running two ultra-marathons, one marathon and at least 15 half marathons. All looked promising but Covid had other ideas. Travel restrictions meant Switzerland was off limits. Frustrated but undeterred, we relocated our endurance challenge to wonderful Wales.
On 9th June 2021, the four of us will trek to the equivalent summit of Everest (8,848 metres) on Mount Snowdon. Over three days, we will climb Mount Snowdon ten times. Each day, as we hike for 12-16 hours, cover the distance of a marathon, climb 3,000 metres and will burn around 10,000 calories. It’s going to be pretty tough.
During this gruelling three day challenge, we will be pushed to our limits, physically and mentally. But, nothing compared to the daily challenges for those with Parkinson’s disease or brain tumours. Over the past year, with worldwide events cancelled, all charities have suffered from reduced donations. This has been a huge motivator for us to complete what we started.
Parkinson’s UK
Fifteen years ago, my father-in-law David was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Symptoms, which vary from person to person and change over time, include rigid muscles, shaking, body freezing, swallowing problems, anxiety and dementia.
Five years ago David had Deep Brain Stimulation, a life-changing brain surgery which prolonged his quality of life in ways we could never have imagined. Parkinson’s disease is sadly a one way ticket and it is heart-breaking to watch him suffer.
Currently there is no cure, so drugs, surgery and therapy only slow down this debilitating disease. Funding research to improve the outcomes of these treatments is essential, but the charity’s main goal to find a cure remains at the forefront of their research ambitions.
The Brain Tumour Charity
One of my team mates friends’ son, Alfie, died aged seven, two years ago from a brain tumour. For over three years he had endured over 90 general anaesthetics, 60 sessions of radiation treatment and more than 30 hours of surgery. Sadly, none of this was enough to save him.
Brain tumours are the single biggest cancer killer of children and young adults, with 500 children diagnosed every year in the UK alone. There is no cure. Yet just 2% of cancer research funding goes to this area and very little is known about the causes, while treatment remains inadequate.
The Brain Tumour Charity, is the world’s leading brain tumour charity and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. They are set on finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and driving urgent change.
THE CHALLENGE
The goal is to climb the height of Everest: 8,848m
Snowdon is 1,085m, so we need to make 10 ascents
Walking uphill (and down) for 3 days
Equivalent to running 3 marathons per day…
Climbing for more than 12 hours per day
Burning more than 10,000 calories per day
THE TEAM:
Rupert Elwes
Work: Head of Private Clients at Waverton Investment Management
Play: Golf, cycling, running, not ski touring
Harry Jack
Work: Head of Pan European Equity Research at Schroders
Play: Running, cycling, tennis, gardening
Robert Sugden
Work: Founder, Director at Acumen Intelligent Consulting
Play: Boxing, rugby, kite surfing
Dominic Ward
Work: CEO at Verne Global
Play: Cycling, rowing, swimming, cars
FUNDRAISING
Our training, travel, event costs, equipment, guides, is all self- funded so 100% of the money we raise will go directly to charity.
It would be amazing, and we would be so grateful, if you can donate to aid vital research for Parkinson’s UK and The Brain Tumour Charity – https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TeamSahasa
Thank you for reading about our personal Everest challenge.
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