Ascent for Active Week – Martin’s Himalayan Challenge

Ascent for Active Week – Martin’s Himalayan Challenge

Adventuring in the Himalayas has always been a goal of mine and in October I will be travelling to Nepal to embark on a trek to Everest Base Camp!

My little boy, Dillon (who is 6) has taken an interest in my journey - asking questions about the mountains and the Nepalese region, accompanying me on some of my training hikes and now even has some of his own kit like walking boots and a sleeping bag!

I was initially driven to undertake this journey to challenge myself and fulfil a lifelong personal dream. But I have seen how it is has inspired my son to be more active, encouraged his burgeoning curiosity about other cultures and how much synergy there is with the GROW values at his school, Norris Bank Primary.

GROW is an acronym to describe Norris Bank Primary School's values - Grow, Respect, Ownership and Working Together. Each GROW value is personified by an animal who help encourage the children to achieve the school’s vision of learning and growing together. https://norrisbank.stockport.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/NBPS-G.R.O.W-Values.pdf

More about these animals later!

To help facilitate this vision, I am working with the PTA to raise money to fund activities in support of these values and sports equipment for their dedicated Active Week.

My journey will see me from the bustling markets of Kathmandu to the town of Lukla, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. I will ascend from there through blue pine forests, via Sherpa villages, across glaciers and over mountain passes to reach my goal.

Over the 15 days climb I will need to overcome adverse weather conditions (temperatures can reach -20C with sudden snow and ice storms), daily ascents over rocky and glacial terrain and strenuous climbs with reduced oxygen levels at altitudes of over 17,500 feet (5300m).

I won’t be travelling alone though – the GROW animals Goldie the Golden Eagle, Robyn the Rabbit, Owen the Owl and Wendell the Wolf will be my companions for the whole journey!  Goldie loves to challenge himself and never gives up, Robyn is always kind to others, Owen tries new ideas and loves to learn and Wendell loves to ask questions, share ideas and is a great team player. I will need all these characteristics to succeed!

I will be taking pictures of our journey; including Goldie, Robyn, Owen and Wendell’s experience of the mountains and the variety of fun activities they get up to on the way! These will be posted on the PTA’s Instagram account, https://www.instagram.com/norrisbankpta/ so you can follow along! Each donation will also be entered into a draw for a prize!

I have grown as an individual and overcome many personal obstacles since I first dreamt of the Himalayas as a child. I am under no illusion that the journey will be challenging and that I will learn some hard lessons along the way.

The GROW animals will be helping me and I humbly ask that you help them continue to inspire and encourage the children of Norris Bank Primary School by sponsoring me through this fundraiser.

Maybe you will even be inspired and encouraged yourself, after all isn’t that what we’re all doing in life - Learning and Growing Together.