Richard Parks begins leg 2 of the 737 Challenge.

5th January 2011

Richard Parks began climbing Mount Vinson in Antarctica today on the 2nd leg of his world first expedition to climb the 7 Summits, which are the highest mountain on each of the world's continents, and venture the last degree to The South Pole and The Geographic North Pole, All against a 7 month clock!

Deep within the frozen Antarctic, Mount Vinson is part of the Ellsworth mountain range and was the last of the Seven Summits to be discovered and climbed. Only around 700 climbers have successfully climbed Vinson, much less than Everest.

Richard arrived at Mount Vinson base camp yesterday, which is 2100m high. Today he climbed to low camp and to 2815m stating; “We moved really fast today covering 9k in 3 hours 40, it was really hot whilst we climbed but I am pretty cold now!”

Richard completed the first leg of his challenge trekking 60 miles to The South Pole on the 27th December. He then faced an 8-day wait before starting the Mount Vinson leg, ensuring he was still on the pole on new years day to ensure he reaches all 3 poles within the same calendar year.

On reaching The South Pole he stated; “When we saw the Antenna at the pole all the guys were all really elated and it really was a pretty amazing feeling. You can’t help but be sucked into the history and the mystique of the place, thinking of all the pioneers and the people that have got here before us.”

Richard is keen to ensure he doesn’t think past each step of his 9-leg challenge. From the Pole he added; "It’s been really tough, we have had a lot of long days and had to hit the ground running with the regards to the conditions and the cold. One of the demands I put on myself was to stay in the moment and experience and enjoy every leg for what it is and right now it’s pretty amazing to be here. I feel privileged to have the opportunity.”