In Spring 2015, Im set to climb Mount Everest (8850m) via the South Col route in Nepal. But to get there (again) Im keeping the momentum, fundraising and inspiration from Everest 2014 burning. Starting in July 2014 I will undertake seven ultra-endurance events with a twist, all involving cycling and/or mountains.
These will prepare me physically and mentally for Everest. I plan to announce them as I spread them across the year- avoiding the honeypot challenges and with most of them being solo, cheap-budget and/or completed in a weekend. I will continue to learn about myself and inspire others through the peaks and the troughs of overcoming adversity. I began the challenge with the Fred Whitton Challenge Sportive- a 113 mile cycle through the Lake District, UK, with over 12,000ft of ascent up the high passes of Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott and Wrynose, starting and finishing at Grasmere. Fred Whitton is known as the UKs toughest single cycle sportive but is also the easiest of EPIC7 so will act as a warm up to get the ball rolling in one of my favourite places in the world! Next I take on the Welsh 3000's solo- a common event used by the military for training.
But without a support team. Then I'm cycling unsupported to Chamonix from Chester in 7 days, about 850/900 miles. And the rest? You'll have to follow the blog to find out! www.alexstaniforth.com/blog.html @alex_staniforth"