I believe that everyone that Climbs Mountains has strong beliefs in what they are doing and remains optimistic that they will make it all the way. There are many incredible stories of how people have reached the summit. I fully believe that it’s more a battle of the mind than anything else to keep taking one smaller step when your body is telling you to stop. Our team is no exception and each of them has a personal goal to reach the summit of Aconcagua. For most of them it will be the fulfillment of a Lifelong dream and there are sure to be tears of joy for all those that can make it to the top. Ray's dream is to inspire other cancer survivors to Never Lose their Dream and to always strive for the impossible.
The average success rate for reaching the summit is only 50% mostly due to bad weather. The high camps and summit is very exposed so it would be dangerous to climb in windy conditions.
The weather can change rapidly on Aconcagua which can be a risky situation if visibility is poor or if there are strong winds. The mind popping effects of altitude can get quite severe - something that needs to watched. Everyone will need to have a medical check-up before climbing above base camp to ensure that they are adequately acclimatized to the altitude.
Two of the team members Fred and Barry have turned back, returning to base camp and home. So there are 4 left pushing forward to the summit - Ray, Marius, Lauren and Alex. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Today the team leave Camp Canada, the route cuts a straight but diagonal line back up and across the scree slope. Slowly they will zig-zag their way up to the rocks of Pendiente, or for the more adventurous, the higher Nido De Condores
(the condor's nest). There is no mandatory high point for today. Rather, they will climb as high as they feel they are able to, and slowly allow their bodies the opportunity to adapt. Once this high point has been reached they will turn round and slowly make their way back down to Plaza de Mulas. They are super excited to have a hot shower and much needed rest here.
Ray has set himself the target of raising R22 840.00 for The Sunflower Fund - R100 for every 100ft climbed. The Sunflower Fund recruits potential blood stem cell donors and raises funds to pay the R2500.00 tissue-typing test cost per donor required in the recruitment process.
To support Ray in his mission, visit his cause page on Given Gain to make a donation.
For more information about The Sunflower Fund or to register as a stem cell donor call 0800 121082 or visitwww.sunflowerfund.org.za.
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