Firefighters in mountain test

A team of Staffordshire firefighters are training for an attempt to climb the highest mountain in North America.

The 16-strong team from across the county will travel to Alaska in May next year to climb 20,320ft Mount McKinley in conditions of minus 35 degrees Centigrade to raise money for the Fire Service Benevolent Fund.

The expedition is taking place from May 6 to 27 and the firefighters are currently undertaking a strict fitness regime to prepare themselves both physically and mentally for the testing challenge.

They will be supported by a team of experienced climbers during the expedition.

Expedition co-ordinator Andy Topham, of Tamworth Fire Station, said: "The Mountain's nickname is Deadly Denali, that is because we will face extremely low temperatures, possible risk of avalanche and crevasse falls, the dangers of altitude sickness and frostbite.

However all of these can be avoided with proper training and preparation."

Team members will have to haul up to 80lb each up the mountain in stages. They will be eating high calorie dehydrated food, however at high altitude it can take up to an hour just to boil a cup of water. They will sleep in mountain tents and igloos and will be trained to survive in snow holes.

The team are being supported by the Royal Marines and they will be undertaking a training weekend at the Commando Training Centre, Exeter in September.

The training will involve assault course challenges, team building exercises and lectures on the extreme conditions.

This will be followed by a trip in January with the Marines to Norway. During this visit the team will learn how to perform crevasse rescues, they will experience living in snow holes and they will have the opportunity to practice their cross country skiing.

Team

"Some of us have relevant background experience but some are complete novices to this. We're all used to working in a team though, so that is what will get us through this," said Andy. "We will also have the support of a team of experienced climbers, their knowledge and expertise is going to be crucial to us. We really hope the public will support us and we welcome donations which can be dropped off at any fire station in Staffordshire."

The age range of the group is from 26 to 59 and all bar one of the group have children. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Peter Dartford said: "This expedition once again demonstrates the selfless commitment of our staff to assist others."

The group will be organising a variety of fundraising activities and they hope to raise £34,000 for the charity. The first fund raising activity they will be holding is a duathalon on August 5 at Apedale Country Park, Newcastle-under-Lyme. The event will involve a 26km cycle, followed by a 12km run.

All the team members will be participating and the event is open to all, with a £10 entry fee.

For further details contact Andy Topham or Mark Chaplin or 01785 898020 or email a.topham@staffordshirefire.gov.uk