Danny’s Everesting Challenge

Danny’s Everesting Challenge

3 July 2019

THE Everesting Challenge concept was introduced to me on a long, summer Sunday evening.

Back in June 2015, when out for an evening cycle to the top of Slieve Croob near Dromara, I came across Andrea Harrower.

She was undertaking that task and I accompanied her for one of her ascents, the first person is Northern Ireland to achieve this feat.

The ‘Everesting’ concept involves selecting a section of road and undertaking sufficient number of ascents in one ride without sleep to achieve the height of Mount Everest, some 8,848m.

Fours years on and following many conversations, myself and my pal Johnny Ward decided to undertake this task.

Following many recces we selected a similar route to Andrea, taking in the Dree Hill and further ascent to the mast at Slieve Croob, with each 4.5km ascent taking in 330m of ascent, so at least 26 ascents would be required.

Earlier in the week we changed from a Saturday attempt to Friday due to the rain forecast for Saturday.  

Johnny and I met at Dree Hill car park (soon to be known as base camp) before 4am on Friday and set off on our challenge.  

Few people knew of this attempt and many people have offered their assistance after the event, with the only notification being a short post by Johnny at 4am… ‘and so it begins’.

The first ascent was done in darkness and quickly with sunrise approaching, we caught sunrise from the Top of Croob.  

Whilst some people are familiar with Dree Hill, few have ventured beyond the gate onto the mountain part, with the last third providing significant challenge as time went on.  

As part of the recce, we had studied heart rate zones, times per ascent etc.

What we had no control over was the wind and for the first 12 hours of the challenge we faced a significant headwind that saw the wind turbines of the Dromara landscape benefitting from same. 

Part of the ‘Everesting’ concept and to apply to get on this exclusive list of just over 3600 people worldwide, which in fact is less than the number of people who have climbed Everest, is the provision of evidence along the way, in terms of data and photographic evidence.

So, every two ascents we had to take photos of our Garmin Data and our recording methods with mine being alternative coloured cable ties.

The first 10 ascents passed off without major incident and we had achieved these shortly after 11am, with over 3,250m of the 8,848m target achieved, and having covered some 55 miles, with steady progress throughout.  

We had controlled things well with a strategy of forgetting about the wind and this was not allowed to be mentioned.

We had in this period come across Andrea, who was out for a walk on Croob and we stopped to tell her of our challenge and her inspiration to which she got emotional, bringing back memories of her fantastic achievement.  

Andrea continued to support us throughout the day and right into the evening and became our number one roadie.

Each cycle of two accents we had set ourselves refuelling zone at base camp with a combination of what Johnny had come up with with.

The food was packed in individual bags, but to be honest, some of which resembled a bush tucker trial, rather than energy supplements, but I had faith in his knowledge of this, rather than my lack of knowledge. 

We had various visitors throughout the day, but the arrival of family and friends were welcomed.

To be honest, when I came over the hill towards base camp and saw my family for the first time I became emotional, which in turn added more pressure to achieve the goal we had set. 

We met strangers and friends alike, supporting us on our adventure, people who had read Facebook posts and became curious, and some late into the night.

It’s amazing how McDonalds chicken nuggets taste at 1am.

As time progressed the conversation between Johnny and I became less.

We each had our own demons to deal with in terms of headspace and whilst Johnny is a much better cyclist than me, we both have similar mental strength that took us through this challenge.  

I was asked did Johnny and I fall out at any stage, and the answer is an affirmative no, but my wife tells me that is more to do with Johnny than me.

When you consider an event or challenge like this you come across many barriers, whether it is logistically, mechanically in terms of the bikes, fitness which will only take you so far, but the mental strength from this adventure has changed me going forward in terms of self belief.  

Anyone who knows me, knows I love the outdoors, whether it is walking, running or cycling.

I have entered many races in my life, but at school sports day I was the kid that came home with no medals.

The only thing I ever won was a slow bicycle race in primary school, and was this day to be a game changer.

Throughout the day there where many times back in forward whether Johnny or I was stronger than the other and without him I wouldn’t have completed this task.

I think the feeling is mutual, which makes Andrea’s previous success even more remarkable.  

Once night fell, close to 11pm, Johnny experienced problems with his lights. 

With one of the ascents side by side, with one light and then a more complex descent on a mountain road with jaywalking sheep. 

The descents people think are easy, but as time progressed with challenging terrain and tiredness, the wrists got battered and so did my disc brakes which became very hot.

In the week leading up to this challenge, I spoke to Eddie Murnin from Dundrum, who the previous week completed a 100 miles running challenge over 24 hours.

His tips were useful. Thanks Eddie for that and for ping by to support us. 

Further thanks go to Ronan and Adrian for taking in a couple of ascents with us for company, to the strangers who supported us on the way, along with both Johnny’s family and mine for their support.

Thanks also to old and new and new friends who called by, with special mention to Andrea Harrower for her inspiration to a complete stranger some four years ago.

In terms of regrets, one of the biggest regrets I have is that we didn’t use this exercise as a fund raiser for the many deserving charities.

Having previously arranged a charity cycle for Aware/Macmillan, the fear of failure to be honest stopped me from doing this.  

Another regret I have is that we didn’t put it out there sooner, given the offers of help and support we have received since.  

We both are level headed enough to know that people out there face bigger fights and challenges in life than two lads cycling up a hill, so let’s keep things in perspective.

Finally, thanks to Johnny Ward for taking me through this challenge, but please, never again.