Winchester College CCF – Mallory Challenge 2: In Support of the Royal British Legion

July 2015 will see 41 cadets and 21 staff from the Winchester College CCF travel to the Lake District to complete the Mallory Challenge 2.  The concept of the Challenge is that the cadets, divided into 4 teams and supported by adventure training instructors, complete a demanding, continuous circular relay across the Lake District National Park.  Following a successful Challenge in 2013, when the team raised £18K for the Royal British Legion, the route has been redesigned to allow the 4 teams collectively to cover 350km, 10,800m of ascent and paddle 8 Lakes in 4 ½ days, by mountain-bike, canoe and on foot!  The route will see the team climb the classic mountain peaks, including Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Blencathra, Skiddaw, High Street, Fairfield and the Old Man of Coniston; and paddle the beautiful Lakes, including Windermere, Coniston, Thirlmere, Crummock, Buttermere, Derwent Water, Bassenthwaite and Ullswater.  These outstanding Wainwrights and Lakes will be connected by a series of mountain biking and cross country legs, enabling the team to enjoy the natural beauty of the local area whilst fundraising for the RBL. 

The Challenge will be a test of endurance for the teams and the activity leaders, whilst also posing a significant logistical challenge for the supporting element. The support team will constantly be moving teams, canoes, mountain-bikes, rations and water to the changeover points; timings are critical, and no delays can be allowed, if the team is to complete the route in the planned time scale. With a main base outside Keswick, early starts will enable up to 19 hours of activity each day.  In order to respect the integrity of the Lake District eco-systems, the team will be implementing a full bio-security plan to help protect the natural environment and prevent the spread of invasive non-native species into the waterways.

George Herbert Leigh Mallory (Coll, 1900-05) was an Old Wykehamist (OW) who died, with his climbing partner Sandy Irvine, on the 1924 Everest expedition. 2015 marks 100 years since he left his teaching position and joined the Royal Artillery to fight in the Great War.  513 OWs gave their lives during the Great War.  The Challenge aims to capture Mallory's spirit of adventure and raise much needed money to support the Royal British Legion.

George the Bear, the team's mascot, who completed the entire Challenge in 2013 is shown below; he is looking forward to his next outing!

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