Last night I met two truly inspirational people, Richard Parks and Steve Williams, who are doing an amazing challenge. Richard is a former Welsh Rugby International and is up here doing the North Pole element of his 7 month race to climb the highest mountain on each of the world’s continents and venture to the Geographical North and South Poles (he did the South Pole in December). What a challenge and test of strength, endurance and technical skills. Richard has been joined by double Olympic gold medal winning rower Steve Williams for the North Pole and Everest element of the challenge. In Athens 2004, along side Sir Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell and Ed Coode, Steve had an epic battle with the Canadians, who were as determined to win as the British. After 2000 meters the British prevailed on the finish line getting their boat in front to win by the narrowest of margins, just 0.08 of a second. Both Richard and Steve are incredibly modest about their achievements and quite unassuming characters. I wish them all the very best for the North Pole and Everest. Richard then has Denali and Elbrus left to do. He has already completed South Pole, Mount Vinson, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro and Castenez Pyramid. Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the world’s greatest living explorer, plans to climb the final Summit with Richard – Mt. Elbrus in Russia. If you want true inspiration, follow Richard on www.737challenge.com Outstanding.
