About
How do?
My name is Matt Higginson I am a Crew Manager at Lichfield Fire Station I am managing this web-BLOG for team DENALI 08.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s “Fire and Ice” team DENALI 08’s goal is to climb Mt McKinley / Denali, the highest mountain in North America, in May 2008 to raise money for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund.
The BLOG gives all team members, their families, friends, sponsors and supporters an opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences with one another leading up to and during the expedition.
Please leave a comment to let us know that you have visited the BLOG. If you would like to submit a post for inclusion in this BLOG please contact me directly mmkf-lichfield@tiscali.co.uk
Matt Higginson
A note of encouragement to the entire team, and thanks for your inspiring Weblog. I am an avid North Pacific mountaineer. A few years ago a bicycle training accident broke both my legs and resulted in a coma. I thought I was isolated in my dream to summit Denali in 2010 as a fund raiser for TBI survivors, until I stumbled on your posts. If I can do it at 60, with an extra stone of steel in me, then you will all fly to the top. Thanks again, not only for the inspirational idea, but also for putting it on WordPress.
Hi Guys. Just thought I would drop you a line to say good luck – it’s quite a challenge you’ve taken on. Don’t let the bootnecks beast you too much! (I’m ex 40CDO). Thought you might also like to know that there’s yet another Fire and Ice Mountaineering club out there, spose it’s inevitable when FFs go climbing. Anyway, we wish you all the best on you adventure. From all at Devon and Somerset FRS Fire and Ice.
We are currently at Talkeetna, Alaska, after 2 days of flights, tranfers and hostels. Some baggage was misplaced by the airline, so we were slightly put back, but only by a few hours. We have just had the brief from the park rangers and are waiting for the plane to take us to the glacier, where we will spend the night, before moving off tomorrow (13th). We are looking at trying to summit in 10-15 days, however have a max of 17 to crack it. This will be weather and physical condition dependant. All are well. crack on Royal!
hi,
just to let people know, ive had a satalite call from my fiance Matt Hoey, who is one of the Royal Marines with the team. They were at 14,200 feet and were pushing upto 16,000+. They hope to sumit this weekend.
All are well and happy, if a little cold!!!!
nic x
David has just spent his 48th birthday on Denali – I wonder if he even remembered! Today, whilst reading a website about Denali, I discovered it had another name beside McKinley – Midlife Crisis Mountain – because it is populated with middle aged amateur mountaineers! I see the weather forecast for Friday is predicting 70mph winds above 16,000 feet……
Good luck guys, we hope topsy is behaving himself.
Regards
Sam,Adam,Baz,Andrea,Matt and Rich