Challenges

Diary of the Kilimanjaro Summit Climb!

February 13, 2013

Recent Kilimanjaro Trekker Shaun has kindly shared his Kilimanjaro Summit Climb diary with us, documenting the ups and downs of the mountain and his journey of a life-time! Definately worth reading if you’re heading out to the ‘Roof of Africa’ yourself!…

DAY 1 – Rainforest

Awake at 7.30 local time (4.30 uk). Buffet breakfast is ok, omelette, bacon, beans. Need to get the body fuelled for the journey ahead. We all gather at reception. Everyone appears in high spirits, especially after the antics and delays from the previous day! Trucks get loaded and off we go, it’s roughly 2-2.5 hours drive to the starting gate. When we arrive we have to start around an hours hike further back due to poor terrain! And off we go. Everything seems good so far everyone happy and chatting. Appears we have a good group for this. After a couple hours we stop for lunch and then it really kicks in! A lot of near vertical climbing up muddy and wet paths! Then it’s down a bit, up a lot, down a bit and this trend continues for a while. We spot a couple of monkeys and everyone is of the same opinion thus far : we weren’t expecting it to be this tough, especially on the first day! Then finally around 5.30pm we reach camp for the night. Dinner is at 7, was quite tasty under the circumstances and even the ginger tea seemed to hit the spot. Continue Reading…

Challenges

Cycle Machu Picchu to the Amazon!

February 8, 2013

Have you ever wanted to spend time exploring the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, or the majestic Machu Picchu ruins, whilst attempting one of our toughest cycling trips then this is the challenge for you!

Your cycling challenge begins with a beautiful acclimatisation cycle along the length of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, taking in the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo and the artisan market of Pisac.

From here you will cut through the Andes, with spectacular views of the cordillera Ausangate along the way, dropping down into the charming village of Paucartambo before a final tough climb to Tres Cruces, the last pass before the Andes begins its descent into the Amazon rainforest.

Waking early to watch the sun rise over the Amazon, you will then have the thrill of a 1,400m dirt-road descent, crossing multiple ecosystems until you reach the pristine cloud forest and set up camp

The challenge continues as we cycle deeper into the rainforest of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, home to Peru’s national bird, the Cock of the Rock, as well as toucan, monkeys, spectacled bears, giant ferns, and orchids.

Click here to sign up for this amazing challenge today the next 3 people to do so will receive £100 off their deposit!

If you want to learn more about this challenges and the many other amazing challenges we offer, you can visit our website at www.charitychallenge.com. To keep up to date on all Charity Challenge news, please enter your email address into the adjacent box to subscribe to our mailing list.

Challenges, Inspiration

Rio Carnival – the biggest party in the world!

February 8, 2013

Charity Challenge veteran team leader, Trevor Gibbs gives us his personal slant on the Rio Carnival

Long regarded as the Carnival Capital of the World, Rio de Janeiro plays host to one of the world’s most famous and colourful parties, attracting around half a million visitors to its city streets each year. First introduced into Brazil by the colonial Portuguese, the Rio Carnival has evolved into a unique mix of African and Amerindian cultures, with music, parades and samba schools turning the streets into a dazzling visual celebration of Brazilian culture.

This year’s celebrations take place between 8-13 February; a four day extravaganza that provides a stunning backdrop of outrageous costumes and a pulsating samba beat to one of the most spectacular artistic events on the planet. The carnival officially starts on the Saturday, going through to ‘Fat Tuesday’ and the beginning of Lent. Traditionally it is seen as a last farewell to the excesses of the body, before the abstinence of Ash Wednesday begins. For many though, it is simply the best party in the world!

Months in the planning, the carnival begins with the crowning of the Fat King (King Momo), after which the celebrations can begin in earnest. Each of Rio’s neighbourhoods provide carnival bands (more than 300 at the last count) and the local samba schools provide a continuous stream of entertainment over the four days, culminating in the Samba Parade on the final evening. A vital element of the Rio Carnival, many of the samba schools represent the poorer neighbourhoods of the city; the working class communities that live in the slums (favelas). Each school chooses a theme for the carnival and competes with its neighbours to create the best costumes and the best floats, before joining the throngs of party goers, drag queens and bands on the streets. Some of the bands have been known to attract up to 10,000 participants, closing down streets and gridlocking traffic, leaving drivers with little choice but to sit back and enjoy the moment.

Today, the famous parade takes place in the purpose-built Sambodromo stadium, the venue for the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics. Designed by the famous Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer, it is capable of holding over 90,000 people and is located at what is believed to be the birthplace of the samba, in the heart of the favelas. There are no hard and fast rules as to what to wear for the party (residents of Rio will even attend weddings and funerals in colourful shorts), but be prepared for a long night, as the celebrations go on until sunrise. And remember, if you really want to get into the party spirit, you can even join in on one of the main parades…All you need is a costume and a little rhythm. For more information, check out the official Carnival website: http://www.rio-carnival.net/

If your liking the sound of Brazil, then check out our Brazilian Trek and Kayak Challenge, an exciting challenge that combines trekking in the Serra da Bocaina National Park, part of a substantial swathe of rainforest between Rio and São Paulo, with kayaking in the tropical Bay of Paraty.

The Brazil trek and kayak is one of our most unique and varied challenge, and although we cannot guarantee that it will be plain sailing from beginning to end – the combined elements of rainforest trekking and sea kayaking make this a very tough challenge! But on the completion of your challenge in Rio, you will definately have reason to celebrate! If you want to learn more about this challenges and the many other amazing challenges we offer, you can visit our website at www.charitychallenge.com. To keep up to date on all Charity Challenge news, please enter your email address into the adjacent box to subscribe to our mailing list. And for more of Trevor’s view on the world, check out his blog at:

http://alizardwandering.wordpress.com/

Challenges, Inspiration

25 years of Red Nose Day

February 5, 2013

The wrapping up of the ‘BT Red Nose Challenge: Hell and High Water’ neatly correlates with a big day at Comic Relief, the 25th anniversary of the very first Red Nose Day!

As it states on the Red Nose Day website, it’s been 25 years since Red Nose Day first burst onto our screens, and thanks to the generosity of the British public since 1988 – over £600 million has been raised through 13 Red Nose Days.

Whether it’s at work, at school or at home, the money raised is used to transform the lives of countless people, both here at home in the UK and across Africa. During day 3 of the Hell and High water challenge, the team visited a local Zambian school and found out just how necessary every penny raised is.

Once again, the nation is gearing up to put on their Noses, pull out all the stops, and get fundraising. The ‘BT Red Nose Challenge: Hell and High Water’ documentary, which shows what went down on Zambezi, and what the team went through to earn your sponsorship of £570492 for Comic Relief, will be aired during Red Nose day 2013, on March 15th.

So let’s make the 25th Red Nose Day the most successful ever!

To keep up to date on all things Hell and High water, you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to our Blog, YouTube account and mailing list.

If you’ve been inspired and want to take on your own experience of a lifetime, then check out our amazing and global range of treks, bike rides and mountain climbs here. You can even take part in our exclusive Zambezi challenge. Click here to receive details once the challenge is complete.

Challenges, Inspiration

The BT Red Nose Challenge: Hell and High Water – day by day video diary!

February 4, 2013

The challenge saw former Spice Girl and current solo artist Melanie Chisholm, Waterloo Road actress and Strictly Come Dancing runner up Chelsee Healey, Radio 1 DJ Greg James, Olympian Phillips Idowu and top comedians Dara O’Briain and Jack Dee battling the rapids and dodging the crocs and hippos as they canoed and white water rafted over 100kms down Africa’s mighty Zambezi River… all in the name of raising vital funds and awareness for Comic Relief!

Day 1

The team started their journey by paddling in the traditional dugout canoes used by local fisherman on the river. They had to get to grips with poling and paddling these hollowed-out tree trunks, whilst navigating their way through busy ferry crossings.

Day 2

After spending their first night in the wilderness, day 2 saw the team tackle a series of upper Zambezi rapids in inflatable two-men canoes, often referred to as “divorce boats”. They to be careful to keep an out for the pods of hippos and resident crocodiles that call the Zambezi their home.

Day 3

On Day 3, the celebrity team joined children from a local village on their daily 2 hour walk to their nearest school. This is where the team truly began to understand the importance of their journey – to help children in Zambia go to school. These is also the day where the team had a couple of encounters of the wild kind…

Day 4

On Day 4, the team made their way towards the top of Victoria Falls in an inflatable raft, here they learnt the real importance of team work as if they don’t paddle together they simply won’t go anyway. The day finished on Livingstone Island, on the edge of the falls.

Day 5

On day 5, the challenge culminated on the awesome white water beneath Victoria Falls. They team had to brave 16kms of some of the most treacherous rapids in the world, such as the “Gnashing jaws of death”, “Oblivion” and the “Overland Truck Eater”!

To keep up to date on all things Hell and High water, you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to our Blog, YouTube account and mailing list. You can also find out all about the challenge and see the latest news here.

If you’ve been inspired and want to take on your own experience of a lifetime, then check out our amazing and global range of treks, bike rides and mountain climbs here. You can even take part in our exclusive Zambezi challenge. Click here to receive details once the challenge is complete.

Challenges, Inspiration

Comic Relief celebrities complete ‘Hell and High Water’ Zambezi challenge for Red Nose Day

February 3, 2013

Celebrities including comedian Dara O’Briain, singer Mel C and Radio 1 DJ Greg James have successfully completed their ambitious to travel along the Zambezi river to raise money for Comic Relief.

Traveling for 100km over five days, they completed their epic mission this afternoon after a final day of battling dangerous rapids.

Greg James said after finishing: ‘Let me sum up how I’m feeling in one phrase – I’m over it. It’s been really tough. But we’re here, we’ve been doing this challenge and we all look like idiots, but the point is to raise a lot of money for the people we’ve been meeting out here.’

Dara O’Briain added: ‘Huge thanks to everyone who supported and donated the Zambesi challenge. Finished this afternoon after a hairy day on the rapids. Exhausted.’

The official Red Nose Day page said the team – which also included comedian Jack Dee, athlete Phillips Idowu and actress Chelsee Healey – was ‘exhausted, exhilarated and very soggy.’

The challenge proved to be one of the more dangerous tasks attempted in the name of Comic Relief, with fears raised on day two after Idowu and O’Briain were unreachable for an hour after taking a wrong turn.

The final stages of the challenge saw the team clambering down a 200ft gorge on a ladder, known locally as ‘the steps of doom’.

During the final stages the rapids were so fierce that their support team were thrown into the water.

The ‘Hell and High Water’ challenge hopes to raise £1million to help children in Zambia go to school.

If you want to donate, head to rednoseday.com.

Source – The Metro – http://metro.co.uk/2013/02/01/comic-relief-celebrities-complete-hell-and-high-water-zambezi-challenge-for-red-nose-day-3378049/

To keep up to date on all things Hell and High water, you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to our Blog, YouTube account and mailing list. You can also find out all about the challenge and see the latest news here.

If you’ve been inspired and want to take on your own experience of a lifetime, then check out our amazing and global range of treks, bike rides and mountain climbs here. You can even take part in our exclusive Zambezi challenge. Click here to receive details once the challenge is complete.