Mountains for Malawi - World Vision Fundraiser & World Record Attempt

$4,840 donated

Given by 61 generous donors in 12 days

A Fundraiser for World Vision in Malawi through cycling, doubling as a World Record Attempt. Everesting Whangapoua Hill (9000m total gain)

Auckland

On Saturday the 30th of May 2015, Edward Barry, Liam Cappel and Henry Mellsop will attempt to 'Everest' Whangapoua Hill on the Coromandel Peninsula in order to raise money for the 40 Hour Famine.

All proceeds go to World Vision, who are doing amazing work around the world. Our particular project will be going to Malawi, to provide for the people there in need and ensure they are set up with the resources they require to become self sufficient in the future. We will be donating through Saint Kentigern College.

For those who don't know what Everesting is, here's a brief rundown:

The idea is to climb a hill enough times to reach the vertical gain of Mount Everest (8,848 meters). On this given hill, this will be around 120km of climbing. Rules state that the climb must take place on a single ride, within 24 hours and only on a single climb. Riders must descend and ascend without any assistance. Rest stops may be taken.

The ride is expected to take between 8 to 12 hours of on-the-bike time.

If the trio succeed, all will have broken the current world record for the youngest person ever to complete the challenge (currently held by 21 year old Andy Rogers of Melbourne, Australia). This is therefore not just a fundraiser, but also a world record attempt.

We will be bringing GoPro cameras to video the more interesting parts of the attempt, and Garmin cycling computers to verify the authenticity of our attempt for the official record.

(Statistics according to the official database at 'everesting.cc')

Henry Mellsop's involvement (page creator)

We're involved because we believe in the World Vision cause in Malawi, and want to get behind it through a medium we are all passionate about - cycling.

Completion! 31 May 2015

After a grueling 8 hours spent in the saddle, we crested Whangapoua Hill for the final time under the cover of 7:30pm darkness.

As the youngest member of the trio, Liam Cappel has assumed the unofficial World Record as the youngest person ever to 'Everest' a climb. Needless to say there are plenty of sore legs now!

A huge thank you to everyone who turned up in support, especially the fantastic Ward family who were along to support the final taxing ascents (and Liam to give a morale boost!) and everyone who's donated, beeped as they drove past or sent text messages of support. A further thank you to all the parents who came out in support - Ed's mother Michele for the fantastic cooking, Harry's father James for driving people around and his organisational skills, and Liam's parents Michelle and Roger for operating the support crew at the top of the climb (and of course the obligatory coffee runs). We couldn't have done it without all you guys.

A 7am start and 7:30pm finish makes for an exceptionally long day, and at many moments there were considerations of quitting, but in the end they made it.

We'll be making a video compilation of the event and posting that shortly, accompanied of course by the prerequisite quality German Techno.

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