Yet more training.

Hi Everyone,

The training continues, two hours of dragging a tyre around the streets of Harrogate most days gets boring. So a big thanks to those who stop me for a chat, such as the lady by the traffic lights at Oakland Drive/Hookstone Road and the 'not so young' lady who gave me the thumbs up and wished me good luck.
All the hard physical work seems to be paying off, I'm not quite so knackered when I un-clip from the skis. This 'reward' will be short lived, as I will be adding a loaded ruck sack to my back next week. Both the weight in the sack and the drag of the tyre are more than we will have to carry and put in Antarctica, (I hope!).

Mount Vinson was only discovered in 1957 by American navy pilots. It took a further nine years before it was first summitted by members of the American Alpine Club. Named after a Congressman, Carl Vinson, who lobbied the US government to support Antarctic exploration. At 4,897 m this mountain is not particularly high in comparison to the giants in Tibet, but it is probably one of the most inaccessible and inhospitable. Denali in Alaska has the reputation of being the coldest mountain on Earth, however Vinson can be bitterly cold, adding to the the sense of adventure.

Some of you would have heard me on Stray FM this morning chatting about the trip and Henshaw's, so if you do see me out and about, do give Chris Bell a call or text for a dedication. 01423 522972.

all best

Tim

Some of you in Harrogate may recently have seen a peculiar site whilst driving or stationary in the may traffic jambs. A bloke in a bright orange tee shirt on short skis fitted with wheels and dragging a tractor tyre. He was probably leaking perspiration. This activity is part of my training. Although it looks crazy, it is very effective as it uses the same muscle groups that are needed to haul sleds on ice and snow (and there will be plenty of that in Antarctica).

I would like to thank all those who have stopped me in the street, firstly for giving me an opportunity to turn my lungs back from being in-side-out and secondly for your interest in Henshaw's and the expedition. For those shouts of encouragement that have pushed me just that little bit further.

As with all training you have good and bad days, yesterday was not good. The Prince of Wales roundabout was particularly busy, so I decided to pick up the tyre and carry it over the road rather than drag it. The weight completely took me off balance and it took several attempts to get up. So hope I provided some entertainment for you, how I wish the ground would open up. Not content with one embarrassment, the ski pole later went down a very small manhole key hole, bending the pole alarmingly and bringing me to a dead stop before grounding me and drawing red stuff from my elbow. But, today was good!

Please do visit the Just Giving site

regards Tim

Welcome

Hi there, and welcome to my blog page.
I am currently preparing to climb Mount Vinson in Antarctica, to raise money for Henshaws Yorkshire, a charity which supports visually impaired and disabled people.

When I reach the 4,897m summit, I will have scaled the highest mountains on six of the seven continents - known as the Seven Continental Summits - with just Mount Everest left to conquer.

I started working for Henshaws Yorkshire community housing earlier this year and have been so impressed by the charity I have chosen Henshaws to benefit from this expedition.

I aim to raise as much money as possible for Henshaws Yorkshire, and therefore ask you to sponsor me at

www.justgiving.com/henshaws2antarctica

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Henshaws Society for Blind People gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.