Assynt Mountain Rescue Team in ‘Everest’ challenge
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A LOCAL mountain rescue team is preparing to scale the equivalent height of Mount Everest in under 24 hours.
Assynt Mountain Rescue Team – which covers Caithness and Sutherland – hopes to walk, climb or crawl its way up over 29,000ft this weekend.
For many of the team such a challenge will be great training but for one member it has an even more personal meaning.
Bob Kerr (34), from Melvich, is due to make an attempt on the real Mount Everest next year if funding can be found – a typical trip can cost up to US $100,000.
“Physical fitness is really important in making a successful attempt on the world’s highest peak,” he said.
“An Everest summit day is a very long and taxing one. This challenge will no doubt stand me in good stead for the real thing next year.”
Tackling Everest will complete Mr Kerr’s boyhood dream ahead of schedule.
“It’s been a lifetime goal of mine since the age of 12,” he said. “I set myself three targets to try and overcome my fear of heights.”
Mr Kerr set the goal of doing Ben Nevis by the time he was 16, which he did at 14. He then climbed Mont Blanc on his second attempt just six months before he turned 30 and he now plans to conquer Everest before he turns 50.
The mountain rescue team member added: “I’ve now got a healthy respect for heights.”
As well as giving Mr Kerr a taste of what to expect, this weekend will be a key fundraising exercise for Assynt MRT.
“Because we are a charity we need to raise funds to replace essential equipment that is used on rescues, such as rope, stretchers, vehicle maintenance and all the other running costs,” said Mr Kerr.
“It’s quite an expensive business. We need to make sure our equipment is in good condition so we can save lives and also keep our team members safe.”
The challenge will see four teams of two ascend Sutherland mountain Quinag using the Spidean Coinich summit (2506.5ft) starting from 787ft. The ascent will have to be completed a total of 17 times throughout the day and night tomorrow and Sunday to reach the total required height.
“It’s going to challenge a few people physically,” said Mr Kerr. “On a typical call-out you might go up a mountain once or twice but this way each team is likely to be going up four or five times. We will be physically pushing ourselves.”
Charlie Macleod, training officer, added: “It is a stunning hill and the challenge to keep going for 24 hours will no doubt have its moments but we are looking forward to giving it a go.”
Donations to the team can be made at www.justgiving.com/assyntofeverest
Assynt Mountain Rescue Team is always on the lookout for new members. Interested parties should e-mail robert.kerr108@virgin.net
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