A rather tired but happy man completed his TMB in 32hrs 58mins! A very happy team are now in the Cap Horn restaurant with a glass of champers to celebrate before he crashes into bed in the camper this evening!
Questions of highpoints remain unanswered as yet!
We will update more tomorrow, but spirits are high although all are somewhat tired, the jokes are in abundance as is the "odour du pied Simon" despite the shower!
Even he can smell his own feet!
Thankyou to all who followed, and please can we encourage if you havent donated, please find a way to support the charity.
;-)
TMB in less than 36hours let alone 48hours!
33hrs 58mins completed.... The first thing he asked for..... A hendricks and tonic!
Currently avoiding his feet as the crew are complaining of the smell!
1655hrs he has arrived! No alcohol free wheat beer for dehydration unfortunately! So he plumbed for 1664 blanc and gini!
3kms to go!
He is good, sore but good!
Have to say, i do feel relieved at this point! ;-)
We r waiting! Received the call at 1600hrs he was at the Col de Voza and going to buy an icecream before decending! Almost 32hrs in!
Family Conroy together in Les Contamines as Si just gets ready to set off.
Si made it here by 1330hrs, feeling the strain in the legs, chaffing areas, and generally tired mind and body!
He drank lots of sugary juice, ate another banana only this was laced with honey!
With a change of trousers, the first paracetamol and broken for the muscle fatigue and aches, he picked up his poles and set off with the Col de Voza in his sights.
We estimate Les Houches by 1730hrs and a possible finish at Les Bossons by 1930-2000hrs!
The long drive around is done, but it wasn't fun. Views were spectacular now the sun is out and making up for what the weather threw at us yesterday, and moreso last night.... But the phone reception has been awful, and spots we know normally work were not playing! So a nerve racking few hours finally we heard from Si in the last hour.
His brother, niece Orla, Alli and myself are all here waiting with the backdrop showing off the new snow high up! He is 15minutes away and very tired, but only the last stretch to do!
Amazing effort and determination!
So last night was very tough. No mobile signal from 0400hrs through, and lots of rain/thunder showers until around 0130hrs meant Si was wet, tired and cold before he started walking towards the Col de Seigne. We engineered a 1.5hrs rest/powernap in the back of the car and he left us at 0300hrs.
By 0600hrs he made the col, but not before a pretty serious situation meant he resorted to taking refuge in the room left for such eventualities at the alpine info/museum just below the col.
Terrible biting winds, freezing fog and snow meant he was going down fast! He says had the room been locked get would not have made it!
Full waterproofs and determination meant he got through the nil visibility and made it to Chapieux by 0745hrs!
Needless to say he rested until 0900hrs, warmed up under a sleeping bag in the car then ate a cheese and ham omelette made at the bunkhouse before setting off at 0925hrs!
All on track and the sun came out!
Wrote a blog which won't publish, but Si is doing well, very difficult night, snow, freezing conditions, he took refuge in a safety room at an alpine info centre, he says it was a close call, but he rested this morning with us at chapieux when he got to us, he rested between 0745 - 0920.
He ate hot food and is on his way now.... Will update more now we have signal back!
It's amazing what an hour in a car with 2 woman at 0200hrs will do to a man!
A hot drink, an hours rest under a sleepingbag does wonders! With so much time gained earlier in the challenge Si agreed to a little rest before heading off to go over the col de Seigne!
At 0300hrs off he went!
After yet another torrential downpour Alli and I are sat in the car (yet again) as far as we are allowed to drive up the valley!
Due to the weather Si chose to climb up and over the ski area and down into Val Veny to work his way up to the Col de la Seigne past Lac Combal.
The stars are beginning to come out in Val Veny, so lighting the sky as the clouds begin to clear!
Taking in the stars we watch down the valley for a moving light, waiting for a first distant sighting of Si moving towards us!
Good spirits as he sets off from Courmayeur bus station, at 2300hrs this evening! No bus required!
Si made it into courmayeur this evening 7hrs ahead of his plan at 2228hrs!
At the chime of the 2300hrs on the clock in courmayeur he set off again, in the direction of Refuge Maison Vielle, over into Val Veny and up over the col de la Seigne!
He had 2 hot drinks, a little pizza, but doesn't really want food just now!
We have swapped around head torches, and wet clothes, but the weather is improving and fingers crossed the rain is easing!
Thanks for all the support and kind wishes, he is obviously tired and says its a little spooky without clients, at night alone!
So Alli and Jen are now sat in the car at Courmayeur awaiting Si 's arrival! We spoke to him around 30minutes ago, and he was leaving the Refuge Bertone!
That means he is 6hrs 42minutes ahead of his own plans!
Ok so point proven he was right initially!
This was him at La Fouly earlier!
As we head through the night here we are hoping this rain may ease a little for him, and sun tomorrow is on order!
Si arriving into La Foul at 1650hrs (7hrs50mins) after leaving Les Bossons campsite this morning!
A happy tired wet chappy who is apparently enjoying himself! Hmmm!
Jen has made it to La Fouly ahead if Si which is a but of a relief!
So I can supply Si with energy drinks and snacks before he starts to go over the Grand Col Ferret towards refuge Elena in Italy!
He is around 45mins-1hr away!
Still ahead of schedule somewhat!
Obviously Si is intent on doing this as quick as he can, and proving a point to me at the same time!
Will get a photo of him as he passes through La Fouly!
It has rained all night finally it stopped at 0800hrs, since set if at exactly 0900hrs! Good luck Mr Conroy!
