Lawyer to tackle last climb of Seven Summits
Guy Manning at the Summit of Mount Everest with the Cayman flag
(CNS): For the last ten years Cayman-based attorney, Guy Manning, has been scaling the most difficult peaks in the world and the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. He is now just weeks away from his final mountainous challenge to compete the Seven Summits Challenge. Manning, who is a partner with Campbells, is scheduled to climb Denali in Alaska next month to raise funds and awareness for the Cayman Islands Cancer Society.
During his entirely self-funded attempt to climb the seven peaks Manning has already climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (19,340-ft), Mount Vinson in Antarctica (16,067-ft), Mount Elbrus in Europe (18,510-ft) and Aconcagua in Argentina (22,830-ft), the second highest peak in the world.
In 2013 Manning climbed the dizzy heights of Mount Everest in the Himalayas (29,029-ft), the highest mountain on Earth, and last year he battled up Australasia’s highest peak when he climbed the Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia (16,023-ft).
His last remaining summit, Denali, also known as Mount McKinley (20,321-ft), is North America’s highest mountain and the third highest peak in the world, but it is one of the most daunting due to a combination of factors. The mountain has an elevation gain of about 18,000-ft from the base to the summit, which is the largest of any mountain in the world above sea level. This, combined with an absence of porters to help with load carrying and Alaska’s extreme cold and frequent storms, make it one of the most challenging of all the climbs.
Manning has made two previous attempts at Denali. His first was in 2009, when a he was forced to turn around just below the summit because of a frostbitten cheek caused by very high winds, and then in 2012 he was stopped at the penultimate camp at 14,200-ft because of a ten-day storm.
The anticipated three-week journey to the top of Denali and Manning’s completion of the incredible challenge starts with a ski plane flight from the outpost of Talkeetna to Base Camp on the Kahiltna glacier. From there, climbers set off towards the summit, 18 miles away. The length of the route, cold temperatures and the need to be able to wait out the frequent storms mean that a lot of food, fuel and gear is required and Manning will be carrying a pack weighing around 75lbs and dragging an 80lb sled.
Before Manning leaves for his third time lucky assent on 22 May he is hoping to raise more funds and awareness for the Cayman Islands Cancer Society’s financial aid programme, which supports over 100 patients in funding treatment. Every dollar donated will go directly to the CICS financial aid programme as Manning is paying for his own expedition to Alaska.
For more details on how to donate and more on Manning’s climbs visit the Seven Summit Challenge website.
Category: Sports