Si's TMB In 48hrs? 33hrs more like!

So here it is the video of the event...
A series of stills, and captions explaining the event, showing the details and scenery we passed through!
A 9 minute film of just what Si acheived SOLO without anyone with him, across cols at night, in rain, freezing conditions and more...
His saviour at one point was the old border post at the Col de La Seigne which has an unlocked room for such issues... It was warm and after 20mins of running around in it, Si managed to continue over the Col at 0600hrs and begin the descent to Chapieux still in the dark, freezing fog and snow!
We skip over that bit in the film... And show him resting under a warm sleeping bag!
ENJOY!

sorry of you are having problems viewing the video...
Ok so it seems the video music I chose has been blocked in some countries due to copyright laws!
Typical.... will change it and try again!

to Donate link to VIRGINMONEYGIVING

Video of the challenge coming soon

Well this week back at work has been pretty busy...
Since arriving back after Si's challenge we had a challenge event at the school... Around 10kms and 600m of ascent.. But the event took us all day to set up and run....  Off on EXPED for a night tomorrow too!
I a, trying to put some photos all together into a wee video to publish, but essentially Si has raised £2440 for Jalia.... That's £3010 with gift aid! We also know a cheque has been sent in direct for £500 too!
If you can donate...!Donate to JALIA through VIRGINMONEYGIVING here!

Chapieux early on Monday morning - after the stormy night!

Back at home after a fantastic challenge.... My thanks go out to all who have donated to the Jalia Charity we have raised over £3000 (incl gift aid) for the education of female Kenyans... Apparently this is enougth to keep a child in schooling for over 8 years... Excellent news. A massive thank you to my wife Jen for all her support pre, post and during my challenge along with our great friend Alli Inkster who flew out especially to assist and lastly to my brother Mark and niece Orla who gave me the inspiration to maintain my pace during the challenge. Now this is over I am looking at a new challenge to keep Jalia busy.... Any suggestions????

Cheers!

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.
;-)

32hrs 58 minutes!

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!

1664 blanc and lemon!

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! ;-)

Almost at Les Houches

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!

Leaving Les Contamines

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!

Les Contamines

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!

Chapieux update!

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!

Chapieux done

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!

2 women and a car!

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!

Si in Val Veny

Blurry... Probably how he is feeling right now at 0130hrs but good effort!

Val Veny lights

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!

Good spirits as he sets off from Courmayeur bus station, at 2300hrs this evening! No bus required!

Courmayeur in 13.5hrs!

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!

Courmayeur waiting?

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!

Orla support member!

Our youngest helper!

Over the col, passed the refuge Elena!

Si Conroy is well and truly out to prove me wrong!
I have just spoken with him and he passed the Grand Col Ferret at 1900hrs and stopped for a "coffee" at the "Refuge Elena".... He also put some warm clothing on!
So I sit now in Chamonix, La Boccalatte Italian having Pizza with the rest of the support crew, Si's brother Mark, niece Orla, and Alli providing invaluable support... There are plenty of left overs for Si later when I meet him at Courmayeur... But the thunder, lightening and rain we are experiencing is apparently the same with Si over on the Italian side of MONT BLANC!
So his planned route, up to the Refuge Bonatti and contour to Refuge Bertone has been adapted... He will drop lower, stay down in Val Ferret to the campsite where he will then take the new path up to Refuge Bertone at 1989m.... This way we hope the storm will at least pass and only the rain will remain!
I am married to a very determined man!
To donate please click here!

Support crew

Just driven back down to martigny and up over the college de forclaz.
This is the weather! Rain, rain and more rain! Mountains shrouded in cloud, and loss of rain showers, the last being particularly heavy!
Hope the grand col ferret is kind to Si !

Si Conroy

7hrs 50minutes into his challenge and 4hrs ahead of his proposed schedule!

Si makes La Fouly at 1650hrs

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!

La Fouly - made it!

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!

Champex Lac!

Si has reached Champex Lac now! 1422hrs!
I have politely asked him to slow down as I am just leaving the house now and will be a while to get to la Fouly!

2hrs ahead of schedule!

Si is sending regular texts in at predefined checkpoint. After starting at 0900hrs from les bossons campsite where Alli saw him off he is already well ahead of schedule! He did originally estimate a time 3-4 hours quicker than this schedule, but, due to the forecast and my worries he maybe dreaming a tad, he is proving me very wrong!
He passed the College de Balme within 2hrs 20minutes!
He is currently between the Bovine hut and Champex! We are estimating he is around 2hrs 30mins inside his schedule! I am now jumping in the shower having just come back off expedition at school in Villars Switzerland! Then I am heading to la Fouly to meet him and resupply his energy drinks and food!
I hope I make it in time!
Donations have reached £2290 without adding gift aid! To donate... Click here!
Jen

The challenge has started

It has rained all night finally it stopped at 0800hrs, since set if at exactly 0900hrs! Good luck Mr Conroy!

Chamonix base camp

The Chamonix base camp has been set up by myself and Alli Inkster and now just waiting for the rain to start... I will be rubbing my Inca Sun gods nose tonight to ensure better conditions for Sunday and Monday into Tuesday....

Fundraising

Thanks to everyone who has donated.... I am now the top fundraiser for the Jalia Charity since their set up.... Awesome effort guys please keep donating for this worthy cause. Many thanks again.

Support help has arrived

A friend has arrived from the UK to support Jen with the checkpoints and also to witness the challenge Sis has set for himself! With a day off in chamonix tomorrow and a pocoloco visit for healthy burger meal, we are sure the last week of no alcohol will help Si achieve his goal too! The chalet crew supported Si over the last week as they all detoxed staying off alcohol! Thanks John and Jane for your help too! The sponsor total is rising slowly!
Donate to the cause here...

My last day with clients today in Chamonix, followed by a day of rest before I embark on my challenge to run/trek the TMB in under 48hrs. All starting 0900hrs on Sunday in aid of the Jalia charity and in loving memory of my sister-in-law Fiona.... All donations will be gratefully accepted at virginmoneygiving/simonconroy ..... Many thanks in advance for your support. Please follow my progress on the blog "Simon Conroy's TMB in 48hrs" (TMBin48hrs.blogspot.ch)

Have a fun weekend and get my updates as they come through. 

Nameste

Another great day in Italy with the clients. The route for that side is now looking good after the Ultra Trail and CCC races have finished. The weather looks wet for the duration but that will at least keep it cool for me !!!!

Weather

The weather at the moment is great around the Mont Blanc Massif... However the forecast for Sunday 8th - Tues 11th looks like rain. Best break out the lightweight gortex!!!

JALIA!

Some more information on the charity we are all working to help in Kenya... JALIA

Jalia is a grassroots charity dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children and communities in Nanyuki, Kenya. 

We work with our partners in Nanyuki to provide education opportunities for those who need it most. The children we work with have had a tough start in life through living as street children, abandonment, or abject poverty.

Our vision is for all children in Nanyuki to receive an education so that they are better able to empower themselves. Jalia provides support through the payment of school fees, provision of educational equipment and child sponsorship.

By focusing our efforts on both children and their communities we hope to support small-scale sustainable change.

You can donate to Si's challenge online following the link below....

Or send a cheque to us or directly to JALIA...!

To donate to Si's challenge for JALIA click here...

Plans coming together!

The latest clients are in and we had a great day on the hill today... Back at home more planning is taking place. A very good friend has booked to fly out on Friday evening to help provide support with Jen over the duration of the challenge!
Staying for only 3.5days she will be invaluable to support around the Italian French border area we hope! Another colleague of Jen's from the expedition department at Aiglon College may also be able to help too, so, we may have more help than initially thought which is great especially if the weather is going to be poor!
Finally Si's brother and our niece will be arriving in Chamonix on Sunday afternoon/evening to be at base camp (Les Boissons campsite, thanks Phillip), for Si's return and completion of the challenge on Tuesday morning!
All great news, and thank you in advance to all involved for the help!
Finally another piece of good news is to know of a cheque winging its way directly to JALIA from good friends of Mark and Fiona's for £500... That's on top of the current online amount!
Thank you Pete, Vicky and family!
To donate via the virgin giving page VIRGINMONEYGIVING JALIA