Everest in the Alps
Charity fundraiser in support of The Brain Tumour Charity
A team of 14 people will be ski-touring the height of Mount Everest (8848m) over four days in Verbier to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity.
This four-day ski-touring event is the first of its kind and is being run by high altitude adventure company Secret Compass, known for its world-first expeditions and adventure travel to the world’s wildest places and most extreme environments.
The inspiration for the Everest in the Alps challenge came from Hampshire-based Rob Ritchie, whose youngest son Toby is battling a brain tumour.
With up to four ski-touring ascents per day totaling around 28 hours – and just two hours of downhill skiing – team members will burn 10,000 calories per day: the equivalent of running three marathons back to back.
The Details:
This gruelling four-day event in March 2015 will begin in La Tzoumaz and end in Verbier, in the canton of Valais in the Swiss Alps. Each day, the ambitious Everest in the Alps team will make three or four exhausting ski tour ascents (followed by well-earned descents) before attempting to grab some overnight rest in basic, high altitude mountain huts. With daily total climbs ranging from 1,915m to 2,521m, the team aims to match the 8,848m height of Everest on their 13th ski tour ascent.
Day One
Not for the faint-hearted, the first (and steep!) ascent begins in La Tzoumaz with two more arduous ski tours taking in peaks at Savoleyres and Fontanet. Positive height gain: 1,959m. Distance covered: 8.7km.
Day Two
One of the three major ascents today approaches 3,500m – the danger zone above which altitude sickness can kick in. From La Chaux, the team will pioneer a route up to Les Attelas and Mont Fort, overnighting in a second high-altitude mountain hut. Positive height gain: 2,521m. Distance covered: 10.6km.
Day Three
With thousands of metres to go, day three begins in Tortin with a high-altitude effort to summit the Col de Gentiane. Greppon Blanc and Plan du Four ascents then bring the team one sleep away from success. The group will spend their final night at altitude in the basic conditions of a remote mountain refuge. Positive height gain: 2,102m. Distance covered: 11.2km.
Day Four
With the end in psychological sight, the final monumental push begins in Prarion with an ascent to the imposing Dent de Nendaz. Chaussoure and Savoleyres are ticked off next – during which the massive 8,848m height of Everest will finally be exceeded. The team will then descend to the welcoming warmth of Verbier. Positive height gain: 2,321m. Distance covered: 10.4km.
Total positive gain: 8,903m. Total distance covered: 41km
Click on the website link to find out more about the challenge and to support the charity.
