No more mountains
May 25th, 2008 at 6:56 pm |
Having returned to Base Camp, Sir Ranulph Fiennes has vowed never to climb a mountain again.
Sir Ranulph said: “In my life I don’t normally ever try anything more than once. When I switched from polar treks to climbing mountains I had two challenges in mind. One was the highest mountain in the world – Mount Everest, and the other was the most lethal – the north face of the Eiger.
“I climbed the north face of the Eiger successfully last year with Kenton Cool. On Everest in 2005, I had a heart attack at 8,500 metres on the North Tibetan side but escaped with my life. If I was younger, I might think third time lucky, but I have another expedition planned for 2009 that doesn’t involve a mountain.”
After reaching an altitude of 8,400 metres on Everest, Sir Ranulph turned back for the South Col due to exhaustion. Bad weather forced Sir Ranulph to make his summit bid one day earlier than was planned. He did not get the chance to rest and recharge his batteries.
Sir Ranulph said: “It has taken seven weeks and a year’s planning to get tantalisingly close to the summit. After climbing that vast way, it is of course very annoying indeed to have to turn back.
“But after 42 years of doing expeditions all over the world one has learned not to cry over spilt milk. So as long as we reach our target of £3 million for Marie Curie I will be happy.”
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May 25th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Ran, knowing your limits is hard to accept. And sometimes being so close to achieving out goals clouds our judgement to that fact. I’m bitterly disappointed for you, but glad that you and all your team are safe and live to fight another challenge.
Clive
May 25th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
No more mountains? Don’t you mean ‘no more physical mountains?’ Suspect there are a few more metaphorical mountains out there that will be forced to submit to your tenacious determination, not the least of which is that £15m lifetime charity target.
I am sure the beneficiaries of Marie Curie will be grateful for every single step you took up Everest.
May 25th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
That may be the way of the mountain, Sir Ran. So glad you are back safe, and well…onward to the next adventure…smile.
Cheers Sandie
May 25th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
An amazing effort. Well done to you and your team. Safe journey home!
May 25th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Good for you mate!!
May 26th, 2008 at 3:56 am
You have made it !
You have successfully :
i) raised funds for the needed ones – while remember Mt Everest is NOT your only mission
ii) planted seeds to younger generation to raise awareness for more magnanimous adventures in future
iii) be a role model for the courages – give life a second attempt (while you had the first with life-threatening danger)
Map2Trek
May 26th, 2008 at 4:23 am
Sir Randulph Fiennes, May I say that I so respect and admire your decision to turn around. A long and awaited message came from Tanner at 2:00am stating he had summitted, I assume with Rob, Kenton, and Trumpies, and your flag!! I have never heard my son sound so spent and emotional, stating I summitted but had a really difficult time. I am so very proud of him and feel extra pride that he had the opportunity to climb with you!! Can’t wait for Tanner to come home. Join us hear in sunny San Diego, maybe your next big adventure can be swimming or surfing in our shark infested waters!! Waiting for a call from Tan when he reaches basecamp. Jennifer
May 26th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Well done Ran for making the right decision and a very difficult one at that when so close to the summit. I was at Base Camp at the end of last year and it was hard getting there, and I am ( just a bit ) younger than you are !! It is important to live on to do more and not to add to the ever increasing list of bodies left on the mountain. Keep up the good work and keep inspiring others as you do. Great effort. Mike Gormley and the Devon Trekkers.
May 26th, 2008 at 8:00 am
So glad you’ve decided to quit mountains. You were giving us near heart attacks just sitting at home watching you push so hard. We have all benefitted from your experience and you continuously teach us new things, even the one of how to deal with huge personal dissapointment. Well done Ran, you are our HERO. God Bless. Safe journey home. X
May 26th, 2008 at 8:08 am
RAN. WELL DONE TO GET SO FAR UP. GLAD YOU ARE NOW DOWN TO BASE CAMP. TAKE CARE AND HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY HOME TO EXFORD. REGARDS OLIVER AND JILL
May 26th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Well done to the whole team. My husband, Heather’s daddy, Greg has also been climbing Everest and has been with you at base camp. We have been following your progress and the communications team have done a fantastic job with this web site- the photography and videos are stunning. The itn news crew have also been great- although scary to watch when your loved one is up there! So glad you and your team are safely down. Heather and I made a donation at our local Marie Curie shop in Liverpool on Saturday in your name. The lady there seemed quite stunned about your climb – and it made me realise that team marie curie is vast, from those manning the shops and collections to adventurers like yourself, all heroes in different ways!
May 26th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Congratulations to all in the Marie Curie Teamoon what you have achieved on Everest. Also to Rir Ran, I’m sorry that the weather conditions ruined your chances of reaching the summit, but you made the right descision by turning round. I would prefere to read about your next adventures rather than about other climbers stepping over you on their way up to the summit.
Exceptionally well done to you all!
Paulette
May 26th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
awesome -where in 2009?
May 26th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
An amazing journey, yet again.
Sir Ran, you are my hero.
May 26th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Ran, you are a top man. This site is testament to the number of people who’s spirits you have lifted and inspired over the course of your adventures and massive fundraising efforts. You remain a hero and role model. Thanks to you and everyone who has helped you along the way. You’ll never walk alone. Barry
May 26th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
well done Sir Ran
I know you will be bitterly disappointed but from a selfish point of view the world is much richer with a live Sir Ran who I know will still strive for greater achievements.
Sincere best wishes
Cyril Faulkner
May 26th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Sir Randulph I took my son to hear you talk in Glasgow last year…
on this latest adventure a poem seemed to fit the situation you find yourself in…i hope it speaks to you..
ITHACA
When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon—do not fear them:
You will never find such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your spirit and your body.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not set them up before you.
Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.
Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.
C.P. Cavafy
May 26th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Congratulations to Ranulph Fiennes and the team for what they have achieved together, and the great publicity they have created for such a good cause. Even though Ran did not quite reach the top, he is the ‘tops’ as far as many folk are concerned. Looking forward to his next adventure.
May 26th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
we are proud of you getting so far, safe journey home, hope to see you at home. CHRIS & MOIRA
May 26th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Well done Ran on what you achieved, I followed your web for two months, Because I was also following my sons attempt at summeting with Mike Brennen, Mike summeted Greg didn’t, you and my son are all special people, thank god for people like you, Wish you well In whatever you do next, you must have one special partner, good luck mate. Fred Roberts. (gregs Dad).
May 27th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Age has been the only limits. Ran is like an energiser bunny. A real man and an utter inspiration.
Thanks for what you do.
What a legend. Mucho kudos.
May 28th, 2008 at 11:02 am
It was a pleasure to meet you at Kamis lodge Ran whilst we were both resting at Horsho.
I was having a go at Amadablam whilst you were having a go at Everest. This time neither of us made it but I will be back in October to have another crack at it.
It was a brave decission to turn back so close to the summit. If there is one thing I have been taught by almost everyone I meet and that is the mountain (or similar) will be there another year!
If you get the time to drop me a line I have a couple of ideas that that you might be interested in for the future.
Regards to you and your family Ran and well done!!
John (Pommy)
May 28th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Things must have been really bad if you to decide to turn back. You are an inspiration to us all and I hope you realise how proud the nation is of you. Thanks Ran.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Thanks Ran, your an inspiration to us all.
Good on ya mate.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I feel as if I am intruding a little. So many messages of congratulations from those you know it would seem. I would just like to add my congratulations and express my admiration for such an amazing adventurer. I look forward to following your next expedition in 2009.
The very best of luck with all you plan to do.