In 2007 Ian Arnold reaches the highest point on the African Continent, the Tanzanian Volcano of Kilimanjaro at just over 19,000 feet
Time now to break the 20,000 foot barrier!
My challenge
During October 2011 I shall be attempting my greatest ever physical challenge. I will be trekking to Nepal and to the heart of the Himalayas to Mount Everest. Once there, I will attempt to climb a 6000+metre mountain. After travelling to Kathmandu I will fly out to the remote mountain airstrip of Lukla, from where my 100Km, 20 day, trek begins.
The preliminary goal is the 45km walk to Everest Base Camp, the location from which all of the Everest, Southern route summit attempts are launched.
Then follows the (attempted) scaling of two separate Himalayan Peaks that stand in the shadow of Mount Everest and the adjoining Mount Lhotse, the 4th highest peak in the world.
Lying on the boarder of Tibet and directly at the foot of Mt. Everest is Kala Pattar that summits at 18,000ft. This first climb is all part of the vital acclimatization to altitude required to reach the peak of my ultimate destination of "Imja Tse".
The summit of Imja Tse tops out at a whopping 20,305 feet/6189 meters, and, although not the grandest by Himalayan standards, is still 6 times the height of Snowden, and almost a mile higher than the highest Alpine peak of Mt Blanc. Everest itself, I regret to admit, it is a couple of steps beyond me…………..yet!?
At this altitude the Oxygen content is only 40% of that at sea level and blood/oxygen saturation levels fall to 75%, Temperatures can be -25°C with a wind chill factor of –30°C. Everything works in slow motion and Hypoxia, or AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), is a constant threat.
My target
My target is to reach 20,300ft without artificial Oxygen, and, with your help, raise £5000.00
I am no "mountaineer", so hopefully the description of what I am attempting will have sparked your interest and by way of showing your support you can contribute to the worthy charitable causes I have selected.
This "mini-expedition", including all of travelling expenses, flights, accommodation, food, equipment, guides, Sherpa’s, (I’ll need several of these guys to help me!), Visas and Nepalese climbing Passes will be entirely self-funded. This is not a sponsored group trip that I will be joining.
I will also ensure that any administration costs are covered so you can be sure that all funds pledged will be 100% donated evenly to the Charities I am supporting.
My request to You
I am asking for your individual pledges of just 10p per kilometre.
If I make it all the way, your total donation would only be £10.00, plus, you have a few months to save up! If you feel you could pledge a little more, then that would be fantastic.
To donate, please click on the buttons to the right. To help each of these good causes simply split your donation 50/50 between each charity.
Your support, however great or small, would be enormously welcome.
Thank you for your generous support.
Ian Arnold
ian.arnold@michell.com
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The charities I am supporting |
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MENCAP continues to need support in providing the voice and representation for people of all ages with learning disabilities. Mencap’s hugely valuable work is extensive and tireless in supporting individuals and families cope with the complex world that surrounds them. I am particular grateful for Mencap’s existence as my own daughter Lucy, who has a Speech and Language disorder, will continue to need MENCAP’s guidance.
www.mencap.org.uk
Registered charity No. 222377 |
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Inspired by my great passion for Aviation, I have also chosen to assist fly2help. Through the medium of flight fly2help lifts the horizons of people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures. They provide “airsmiles” for those with lifelimiting and chronic illnesses; families who have suffered some form of tragedy and those who are working to recover a sense of self-worth and need a life-boost. This includes those struggling to live with bereavement and disability, isolation or poverty and people who have suffered extreme neglect and abuse.
www.fly2help.org
Registered charity No. 1119846 |
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