Everest Conquered - Twice in one Day !
The
local climbing community turned out in force on 20 November 2005 at
RGU: SPORT for the CLIMB EVEREST event, raising funds for Transition’s
Extreme Sports Centre.
8
teams of climbers (circa 60 climbers in total) took part – each team
trying to climb the equivalent of Ben Nevis (1,344m) – which in total
would exceed Everest (8,848m). |
Photo Courtesy of
Aberdeen Journals/Press & Journal |
Tension was mounting as the 10.00 o’clock start approached and the
adrenalin began to surge through the athletic physiques of the hardcore
North East climbing community. A handful of team members were clearly
rueing the 3 rd bottle of red wine on the Saturday night – or the 2
bacon rolls consumed at 9.45 a.m. from the RGU: SPORT café!
Neil Morrison gave the signal and John Milne of Northsound Radio
sounded the start – and turned up the volume on the outside broadcast !
"First to climb equivalent height of Ben Nevis - Last of the Summer Wine Team"
Photo Courtesy of Aberdeen Journals/Press & Journal |
View gallery pictures of climbing everest
As
it turned out – we had clearly underestimated the level of fitness and
determination of the teams ……….. with Everest being scaled by 12.30pm .
Seeing how much everyone was enjoying themselves, Neil Morrison took an
executive decision - and duly issued the instruction to “climb
another”!!
Over 300 spectators turned out throughout the day to cheer on their
teams, friends and relatives, take part in the raffle and generally
soak up the atmosphere . See the highlights below.
Sponsorship monies are still coming in – so we await the final total of
funds raised. Indications are that we will have raised a FANTASTIC
£10-12k for the centre.
As importantly – we succeeded in raising the profile of climbing in the
North East, of the Transition project and hopefully, all had a great
day.
Feedback has been good – with many people asking “What about next year”, “ how can we top that” ……..and “where’s my bloody raffle prize”?!
Messrs Morrison, Ogden, Hewitt and Stevenson are thinking creatively about options for next year ……….so watch this space.
THANKS TO EVERONE WHO TOOK PART, HELPED ORGANISE AND ATTENDED – FOR MAKING IT SUCH A GREAT DAY.