Aint no mountain high enough – Results!

By the Beresfords Marketing Team - 11th June 2013

Beresfords’ own Mike Sayers has recently returned from completing a charity climb of Ben Nevis in support of Cherry Lodge Cancer Care, and has previously completed a similar charity climb of Snowdon. Ben Nevis is the UK’s largest mountain at 1,344m high and located in the Scottish Highlands. This climb being no easy feat, Mike Sayers shares his inspirational journey.

Ben Nevis is the UK’s largest mountain at 1,344m high and located in the Scottish Highlands. This climb being no easy feat, Mike Sayers shares his inspirational journey.

“I climbed Snowdon for Cherry Lodge Cancer Care last year and they are a brilliant charity which is very close to my heart. They help improve the quality of life of people living with cancer and their families, and I was inspired by the work they’ve done to raise more money for their cause.

“Ben Nevis is about 30% higher than Snowdon and generally much rougher terrain. Snowdon has pathways that are more easily manoeuvred, versus having to watch every step on Ben Nevis, so it was a much bigger challenge for me.”

“The staff and directors at Beresfords have all been very supportive and contributed to our fundraising endeavours. There was a group of 21 of us who participated in the climb and the team here gave us moral and financial support all along the way.”

“Last year we raised about £4,000 and this year we’re on track to exceed that, though we are still waiting for the final figures to come in – I’m hoping it will be in the region of £5,000.”

“We started at 9am and reached the bottom of the mountain by around 4pm, so it was seven hours of hiking which was hard work. Surprisingly the descent was more difficult than the assent because it works different muscles on your legs and they are shattered by that point!”

“The weather conditions were very poor which made it hard to keep going at times. At the peak there were swirling winds which swept up the snow and created blizzard-like conditions, limiting the visibility to about 100 yards. Our guide almost cancelled the ascent before we reached the summit because the conditions were so bad, and once we reached the peak we had to turn right around and begin our descent, so there was no time to even take in views or scenery.”

“Getting to the top is the real motivation, and that’s about all you need. In the back of your mind there is also all the people who have sponsored you and the people you are helping, so they really spur you on.”

“Make sure you train properly! It definitely helps to have a lot of stamina and endurance but also you need to be prepared and to think about the health and the safety of your team when you’re on the mountain.”

“There are no plans at the moment, but I’m sure this time next year something will come up. We try to do something each year and once we reached the bottom of the mountain we were already discussing ideas for next year – it’s quite addictive!”