Rain Cancels Play!

Today's plan was to get back down to Darlston Country Park and get some hours logged climbing in a spot called "Subliminal". Continue to practice good rope techniques, climbing skills and build confidence for my trip to Chamonix.
Weather reports were showing progressive rain all day which got worse at lunch time... this resulted in us cancelling.
A strength session in the gym and a lazy afternoon is on the cards. I'll research alpine climbing and may even do an hours run later, see how the day pans out.
Its 13 days till we depart for Chamonix. Hopefully we will be blessed with good weather for the next 2 weekends and I can get some valuable climbing in.

Craggy Island - 4hrs indoor climbing

Linked up with Tommy for a session on the indoor wall. Plenty of top rope routes and then on to the bouldering wall, where if I'm honest I was pretty useless!!. We played a game called "add on" and I never made it past move 3. The game consists of creating a move and hold, then the next person does your move plus their own new move and so on...... I was no competition to Tommy and his mate.

Talking about getting out onto some natural rock on Bank Holiday Monday. More preparations and training for that first trip to Chamonix..... Excited is an understatement.

Chamonix Confirmed (13th - 15th June)

Flights, accommodation has been organised for a 3 day trip to Chamonix. It looking likely we will climb Cosmiques Arete and or do the Midi Plan Traverse.
Tommy and I will have a few more sessions indoor at Craggy's and plan to get out on some natural rock before we depart.

I cant wait for this trip, the start of something big.....

La Sportiva Olympus Mons Evo Boots

The kit list for a attempt at any mountain peak over 8,000m is extensive.
The Olympus mons have assisted many to the summit of Everest. Let's hope they do me proud.

Arrival of Summit Suit

The North Face Himalayan Suit.

This will be the down suit that will see me nice and toasty to the top of Mt Everest... 

Reports today of expedition members returning from the summit with frost bite to the fingers and toes makes me want to seriously research and study clothing layering systems to another level. 

Craggy Island - Indoor Climbing

Tommy and I meet up again last night for a indoor climbing session at Craggy Island, Guildford. I managed 10 routes on the top rope and then moved on to the bouldering wall. I managed a few routes but the forearms, fingers where fatiguing and grip was failing as a result.
Again i got allot out of spending time with Tommy, his help and advise is very valuable.

Plans are going to be made for a 3 day trip to Chamonix in June where I will be exposed to the mountains. I believe we are looking at two possible routes Cosmiques Arete and Midi Plan Traverse. I am really looking forward to getting these plans in place and getting out in the elements.

This trip is linked to a possible sponsorship for the climb, so fingers crossed!

Durlston Country Park - first time rock climbing!

A early start and meet Tommy in Swanage at 9am. Tommy is a guy that wants to live his life vertically. He eats, drinks and sleeps climbing. We will be planning a trip to the Alps in the June  to expose me to some of the elements I may face on my quest at Everest. 2,000ft drops and just a path of less than a meter. makes my palms sweaty just thinking about it.

Tommy organised a days climbing in Durlston Country Park in Swanage. We where joined by two of his friends Will and Scott and I thank them all for there help, advise and guidance.

It was a great day I managed to climb with no dramas and felt I got allot out of it.
I climbed 5 routes from Cattle Troughs : Inspiration (Severe), Consolation (Severe),  Chockney (VDiff), Old Lags Corner (Very Severe) and Bunneys Wall (Very Severe).

I cant wait to get out again, think Craggy Island for some indoor climbing is on the cards on Tuesday.

Big Thanks to Tommy, Will and Scott for your help and hopefully get out climbing again soon.

A Chance

I was called by a potential sponsor and asked,

"Paul, are you serious about Everest" I replied, "yes"
"you ever run a Marathon?" I replied "no"
"you know summit day is like running a marathon with flu" I'm thinking!!!!

"ok, I'm gonna put you in touch with my friend Tommy, hes a big mountaineer... hell take you to Chamonix, if its a success, ill help you out" I'm thinking perfect.

Tommy and I had a chat and we arranged to meet in Swanage for a day rock climbing. Knowing I would have to perform I got down to craggy island in Guildford with my cousin Luke and got some private tuition. 2 2 hour sessions I was feeling a little more confident to be exposed to a natural rock face.

Sponsorship Success

In resent weeks I have had a few company's invest into my challenge. Its really encouraging people getting behind me for this challenge and supporting the opportunity to raise money for two great charities.

Scape, Student Living
360 Interiors

I have also received a private, personal donation towards this trip.

I would like to thank you all for you donations, i promise to do you proud.