Walking to the highest point in every European country
Michelle, Andy and Tom (three ex-housemates) took on the challenge to walk or climb (possibly crawl) to the highest point of every country in Europe. That's 87,704 metres of accent, 50 countries and 48 peaks. Not only as hill-walkers did this feel like an epic challenge, but the aim was to complete the adventure over two years and while working full time.
But why? Every so often you just need to get out of your comfort zone, learn something new and be on a mountain. It gives you perspective, relevance and allows you to really breath. It’s also very good for your mental health. Fact. Then there’s the joy of exploring this wonderful continent.
"Malta, Dingli Cliffs at 253 metres above sea level one of our smaller ‘peaks’, which I successfully summited whilst randomly on holiday there. Coincidently at the same time Andy was failing to summit the highest point in Greece, Mount Olympus. Whilst Olympus is 2971 metres and a serious peak, this was too good an opportunity not to mock my beloved climbing partner. So I did.
This pub banter, as usually happens, mushroomed and became the stupid idea to get to the highest point of every European country. Unlike most pub conversations however the ego-fuelled banter didn’t die a death for three reasons. Michelle, the book and contrary stubbornness.
Have you ever met anyone so positive, enthusiastic and motivated that it’s infectious? That’s Michelle. She makes things happen. Ingredient one.
Ingredient two – book. What we call our bible. Cicerone guides are awesome. Whenever you want to walk somewhere they help you get there. But very few can have had such an impact as ‘Europe’s High Points’ by Carl McKeating and Rachel Crolla. It showed that this could be done…
Which, when combined with a contrary stubbornness (ingredient three) to most people’s disbelief that we’d do this, has provided the perfect mix."
