The team are absolutely delighted to announce a new supporter and sponsor. HSF – the Hospital Saturday Fund – heard news of our efforts while we were away on the expedition, and since then have let the team know that they intend to sponsor us and help us dramatically increase the amount of money we have raised for the vital work of Bliss.

Although our campaign remains open until at least the end of August, we can now reveal that HSF intend presently to sponsor us £3000 – bringing us a great deal closer to our target for Bliss. We will also be remaining in touch with HSF until next May, when we will be presenting at their Annual General Meeting.

This is very exciting news for the team and for Bliss – and we’re looking forward to meeting some of the guys at Bliss and other Bliss supporters tonight in London, especially in light of this amazing news!

Our huge thanks also go to Lesley Garrett for helping us get in touch with HSF during the long wet days of the expedition!

And – of course – huge thanks to everyone who continues to express their support and sponsor us. Without you guys, none of this would have happened.

The finale of our expedition would turn out to be the longest route of any day, at just over eleven miles travelled in total. An extraordinarily weary team set about the first ascent of the day from Langdale. A slow and steady ascent saw us take in Bow Fell within three hours of departure. A small descent from Bow Fell was followed by a similarly sized ascent to Esk Pike. After reaching the second peak of the day, we were able to see through the clouds for a moment to our final goal, the sixteenth peak. A slightly longer walk than that between Bow Fell and Esk Pike culminated in very poor weather, high winds and heavy hail. Despite the challenge posed by this weather, the objective was gladly completed, met by great elation from the team. The day continued with the longest descent of the entire expedition, with a return to Langdale. At the end we were met by a well-earned meal, and a good night’s rest!

After another day out due to bad weather (winds at the peaks gusting up to 100 mph), we lined up for our longest day yet. It would consist of an ascent across Green Gable to Great Gable followed by a long walk around Kirk Fell to Pillar. A challenging but enjoyable ascent of Great Gable was rewarded with stunning views, before a hair-raising descent down a scree slope on the mountain’s western flank. The long route around the foot of Kirk Fell made the ascent to the peak of Pillar it’s own reward for the tired team, in completing the day’s challenge.

Refreshed by a day out from walking, at the Keswick Mountain Festival, the team once again set off to ascend two mountains. Changable weather conditions and heavy wind made for an exciting yet challenging ascent. A slow and steady climb into the wind up onto Whiteside Bank was followed by battling against a strong crosswind on the short ascent to Raise. Due to the wind conditions, we decided to alter our route down to be slightly more sheltered. Completion of the day saw us pass the half-way point, reaching our ninth peak.

A very tired team embarked upon a steady ascent of Blencathra. Wet weather conditions at the base of the mountain worsened as we got further up, as the path entered hill fog. We reached the summit in high winds and sleet making for tricky conditions for the start of the descent. Gladly this soon slackened off, allowing for a smooth descent to the base of the mountain at Scales.