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Ainslie to Everest is happening this weekend, an event that will see firefighters from ACT Fire & Rescue climb Mount Ainslie in Canberra eight times, to simulating the elevation of Mount Everest.
Personnel participate in this challenging event to support Lifeline Canberra, and many undertake specialised fitness training in the weeks and months leading up, to ensure that they are ready for the climb.
This year, firefighter Alec Bruce really stepped up his preparation and decided that there is no better training for a Mount Everest simulation than hopping on a plane, flying over to Nepal, and climbing to base camp of the real thing.
“I’ve been challenging myself this year by doing a lot of difficult things,” says Alec.
“I’ve run a marathon, I’ve done the 75 Hard Program, and I’ve always wanted to climb to Everest Base Camp, and the trip just happened to line up nicely before the Ainslie to Everest event."
Alec has always wanted to experience walking at altitude, and he says it was one of the most challenging parts of the experience.
“The whole walk from start to finish was just over 130 kilometres,” says Alec, “and pretty much all of that is on either uphill or downhill gradients."
Personnel participate in this challenging event to support Lifeline Canberra, and many undertake specialised fitness training in the weeks and months leading up, to ensure that they are ready for the climb.
This year, firefighter Alec Bruce really stepped up his preparation and decided that there is no better training for a Mount Everest simulation than hopping on a plane, flying over to Nepal, and climbing to base camp of the real thing.
“I’ve been challenging myself this year by doing a lot of difficult things,” says Alec.
“I’ve run a marathon, I’ve done the 75 Hard Program, and I’ve always wanted to climb to Everest Base Camp, and the trip just happened to line up nicely before the Ainslie to Everest event."
Alec has always wanted to experience walking at altitude, and he says it was one of the most challenging parts of the experience.
“The whole walk from start to finish was just over 130 kilometres,” says Alec, “and pretty much all of that is on either uphill or downhill gradients."
“We climbed a mountain called Kala Patthar, which looks over Everest, and we were at 5600 metres above sea level.
“The oxygen there was at 50 per cent, so just taking two or three steps would put everyone in the group out of breath!”
Sleeping was also a struggle at high altitude, with Alec and other climbers in his group often waking up in the middle of the night, due to the lack of oxygen.
“You do wake up a lot and have to get control over your breathing, before going back to sleep,” remembers Alec.
“It really does make you appreciate the little things in life, like having a shower, drinking out of a tap, and having access to a wide selection of food.
“The whole time that you are up there your fingers are freezing, your toes are freezing, and your face is freezing - and we were lucky because the weather stayed pretty calm during our climb!”
Although conditions should be a little more benign in Canberra this weekend, Alec says he’s not taking the Ainslie to Everest event lightly, even after his recent experience.
“I did the Mount Ainslie event last year and it’s definitely difficult,” says Alec.
“By laps seven and eight your legs are pretty fatigued, but you push through it because it is for such a good cause.
“Like everyone, I have friends and family who have been touched by mental health issues, so I’m really pleased to be able to support Lifeline Canberra.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge!”
Learn more about the Ainslie to Everest Challenge – https://www.esa.act.gov.au/AinslieToEverest
