Hard Rock Challenge – Two Weeks To Go

by Mick Ryan click here “Hard Rock by Ken Wilson (first published 1974), 22,000ft of climbing, 180 miles of walk ins, over 3000 miles of driving. Only two climbers are known to have climbed all 60 routes, and they took 10 years each to climb them. A team of two starting 13th July 2007 are attempting to climb all routes in one go. They have 5 weeks to try before they have to return to the real world.” Those two climbers are Mark Stevenson and Rich Mayfield, supported by the capable and energetic Sam Mayfield of the Orange House. Start date is Friday 13th July 2007 at Cheddar Gorge. The fully mapped itinerary will be published soon so that we can track the teams´ progress and maybe hook up with them and say hello and offer support.Simply the order is: Chedder – North Wales – Lakes – Scotland mainland – Old man of Hoy – Scotland main land – Skye – Isle of Harris – Scotland mainland – Arran – Yorkshire – North Wales – Peaks District – South West. Dave Simmonite and Mike “Mikey” Robertson are the team photographers and UKClimbing.com is the exclusive online media source. See our logo on “Cheryl,” the support vehicle, photo up and right.We will be publishing regular news updates on the teams´ progress. As well as a great challenge and experience for Mark and Rich the Hard Rock Challenge will attempt to raise over £30,000, the money will be split between Mountain Rescue England and Wales and Scottish Mountain Rescue.. You can donate here: www.mountain.rescue.org.uk OR…..are you a betting person? If so, Paz at UKClimbing.com asked, “Are you offering odds, instead off asking for donations, why don´t you take bets.” Hard Rock Challenge responded and now you can. Make your prediction Between the morning of Friday 13th July and the massive ´after party´ planned for the evening of Saturday 18th August in North Devon we have 36 days and 10 hours. How many of the 60 Hard Rock routes do you think we will manage to climb, and how long will it takes us? Here´s one: SJC predicts 49 routes in 29 days, 10 hrs, 0 mins “Good luck. I hope you do better than 49, but I really think the weather is against you.” Full details of the competition here: www.hardrockchallenge.org.uk When all is done you can join Rich, Mark and Sam for a ´Hard Rock Fest,´ a weekend of climbing and partying fun 18-19th of August at The Mill Adventure Centre, North Devon.www.hardrockfest.co.uk The Hard Rock Challenge is supported by, The North Face, DMM, Evolv, The Orange House, Gravity magazine, the Army Mountaineering Association, photographers: Dave Simmonite and Mike “Mikey” Robertson and UKClimbing.com The Hard Rock Challenge Blog: www.hardrockchallenge.blogspot.com The Hard Rock Challenge Website: www.hardrockchallenge.org.uk

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