One summit reached!

A big day today. My old shipmates on Endeavour got together and pushed my collection way beyond the target. I've been blown away by people's generosity.

Training like an animal

Well, ok, I'm not quite in this guy's league but based on the fact that I'm only competing against myself......I've murdered da bum!

I've put a lot more focus on jogging and as much as I hate it I have to admit it's improving my fitness dramatically. A few weeks ago I struggled to run down the street. Two days ago I did 5km. The gains in my fitness are tangible. My heart rate watch tells me I'm now at 38 on fitness (top end of moderate). When I started this venture I was 28 (low) and 34 pounds heavier.

So forgive me if I'm feeling a bit smug. It doesn't mean I'm underestimating the mountain but I tell you what. The mountain shouldn't underestimate me either.

Gary Dillon

One of our group, Gary, has a very personal reason for doing this climb.

Gary comes from Whitesville, West Virginia, which is the town near to the site of the huge mine explosion in which 29 miners died. Some of those miners were his friends. Gary has been given two flags to take up to the summit to remember them by, a West Virginia flag and a Stars and Stripes which flew over the Capitol. He also plans to read each name out every evening.

That's a very strong incentive to drive him to the summit. I've attached a link to the news article.

I don't have the slightest doubt that he will make it, and I intend to be there to see it.