© Alex Staniforth
Epic 7 Challenger Heads to Everest Via Chamonix
Young mountaineer & cyclist Alex Staniforth is back with a new mission
Some of you may remember a couple of years ago when 16 year old Alex Staniforth, an Olympic torch-bearer, summited Mont Blanc to raise money for charity.. well he's back with an even bigger and bolder challenge!
Now aged 19, Alex has just cycled unsupported from Chester in the UK all the way to Chamonix, covering on average 100 miles per day. A total of 870 miles or 1,400 kilometres, which he managed in just 8 days.
The following week he headed to Switzerland to climb the Dom, a 4,545m peak which presented him with a different set of challenges. Alex said ‘’The cycle was the toughest thing I’ve ever attempted, the mental stress for consecutive days was debilitating whilst forcing through the physical exhaustion and anxieties. Getting to Chamonix was utter elation. Climbing the Dom was different but getting to the summit made the suffering worth it - a truly invigorating and unforgettable experience. Overcoming the various difficulties encountered just added to the adventure - like crashing twice on the final day and a muscle injury on the Dom. I’m learning just how far I can push out of my comfort zones’’.
Alex has set himself 7 challenges (the Epic 7), all of which will push him to his limits as he prepares to head to Everest in Spring next year. He's already completed 4 of the 7 stages of his Epic 7 journey (the Fred Whitton Challenge & the Welsh 30,000's were the first two), and he is in the process of planning the next three.
His project will finish in an attempt to be the youngest British man to climb the South-east Ridge / South Col route of Everest, which he will be doing as part of an expedition led by Tim Mosedale in April / May next year.
Alex is raising funds along the way to support the Himalayan Trust UK, a charity that "aims for a world where everybody’s basic needs are met and every child has access to an education to ensure the future of their livelihoods and culture. [They] aim to ensure this happens in the remote mountainous districts, in particular the regions surrounding Everest and Kanchenjunga".
His target is to achieve £50,000 which will go partly to the families who lost loved ones in the Khumbu avalanche last year and to support the ongoing work of the Himalaya Trust UK. You can donate here.
We wish Alex every success with his ongoing challenges. If you'd like to follow his achievements, you can find him on facebook and twitter or read more on his website.
