Martin Parnell Finish the Race Attitude

Mountaineer Martin (aged 64) and Nanatuk Nathan (aged 10) are climbing Mount Everest, 200 stairs per day. It will take them 95 days including 4 Camp rest days.

This is their journal: 

Day 50 of 95: Tuesday, June 2^nd 2020 (Elevation 23,600 feet: Stairs 9,600: Vertical height climbed 6,000 feet)

Mountaineer Martin: 

On the morning of Day 48 our merry band of climbers had a celebration. We had reached the half way point of our climb up Mount Everest and Sherpa Jyamchang had brought us a treat: Pizza! However, there was no sitting around in our cozy tents, we had some climbing to do. 

As we were leaving I got a text from my old buddy Crampon Charlie “Fell behind last week as I ran into Yabo the Yeti. He let me go after I gave him the entire box of Twinkies (which I think gave him a toothache). I plan to catch up and see you all at Camp III.” I replied “So happy that Yabo the Yeti ate the Twinkies and not you. Were there any Twinkies left?” to which Charlie answered “Sad to report that all Twinkies were lost to Yabo the Yeti but I escaped unscathed. I have requested an airdrop of Twinkies and am hoping they arrive before summit day. Will keep you updated on Twinkie resupply status.” Things were getting serious. 

Nanatuk Nathan: 

Today was a big day as it was halfway day for our climb. Sherpa Jyamchang helped us celebrate with PIZZA! I have no idea how he managed to get Pizza there but it was really awesome especially after so much climbing. I was surprised when I heard about Yabo the Yeti eating the Twinkies since I always thought they preferred snow cones. Hopefully he doesn't try to find the pizza. 

Day 57 of 95: Tuesday, June 9^th 2020 (Elevation 24, 475 feet: Stairs 11,000: Vertical height climbed 6,875 feet)

Mountaineer Martin: 

The next stage of our journey, heading towards Lhotse face, was one of the toughest. It required a number of rope ascents using ropes of dubious strength and changing carabiners between sections. Nanatuk Nathan proved particularly skillful with all things rope. Nice one buddy! 

Nanatuk Nathan: 

Halfway up the rope climb, as a skillful rope person, I saw that further up we went, the harder it was on the ropes. I heard a rumbling in the distance and new a fresh blizzard was setting in, it always felt like every time we caught a break there was always something new happening. No choice but to hunker down for a bit. 

Funds are being raised to Support the Sherpa's. They have lost their jobs and livelihood with the closing of Everest on March 15^th. Donations can be made at https://ca.gofundme.com/f/HighHimalayan 

Thank you.

Onwards and upwards.   

About the Author

Martin Parnell is the Best-Selling author of MARATHON QUEST and RUNNING TO THE EDGE and his final book in the Marathon Trilogy, THE SECRET MARATHON-Empowering women and girls in Afghanistan through sport, was released on October 30^th 2018. He speaks on having a “Finish the Race Attitude – Set Goals, Overcome Obstacles and Achieve Outstanding Results” and has written for, or been covered by CNN, BBC, CBC, The Huffington Post, The Globe and Mail, The National Post, Runners World, Men’s Journal, Canadian Business, and Maclean’s.

In a five year period, from 2010 to 2014, Martin completed 10 extreme endurance “Quests” including running 250 marathons in one year and raising $1.3m for the humanitarian organization Right To Play. In 2016 he ran the Marathon of Afghanistan in support of Afghan women and girls running for equality and his film “The Secret Marathon” was released in late 2019. Find out more about Martin at www.martinparnell.com  and see what he can do for you in the long run.

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