Training hard: Steve and Keith tackle the harsh territory of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall.
Two Truro-based Network Rail men are preparing for one of the toughest physical challenges of their lives – a 20-day expedition to the first base camp of the world’s highest mountain.
And the two men – welding supervisor Keith Penaluna and track welder Steve Powell – are facing the worrying possibility of history repeating itself in their epic trek to 18,000 feet.
Two years ago they climbed Africa’s highest peak, Kilimanjaro, reaching the 20,000ft-high summit despite suffering from a virus and experiencing the horrors of altitude sickness.
Keith, 44, and Steve, 37, vowed then they would never again pit themselves against some of the toughest terrain in the world.
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But, as Keith said: “Never say never.”
So they have decided to once again embark on a sponsored challenge to raise money for Get Kids Going, a charity that raises money to help children with disabilities to take part in sport.
They will be starting their stunt on 29 March when they fly to Kathmandu in Nepal, joining a group of 33 heading upwards towards the mountain first conquered by the late Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1952.
Keith and Steve are under no illusion about the stamina and perseverance they will need. “It’s going to take around three weeks to get there and back and the going will be hard and cold,” said Keith, who has worked on the railway for 20 years and now covers the main line between Lostwithiel and Penzance, plus five branch lines.
“We did eventually complete the Kilimanjaro trek but a lot of people became emergency cases. You can get massive headaches with altitude sickness and it can also affect your sight and hearing. It can be quite dangerous.
“Each day we will be trekking with Sherpas for between seven and nine hours, and they will be taking us through the Sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar, through dense forests and over glacial rivers.
“There will also be acclimatisation days over rugged terrain, with temperatures dropping as low as minus 25 at night.”
But Keith added: “It will be pretty spectacular and we should see some beautiful sights as we climb, so it will be worth it.”
To prepare for the arduous trek the two men have been training in snowy conditions on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall.
Steve, who is in the Territorial Army, is a former regular soldier and used to the outdoor life and Keith also loves the great outdoors.
The two men are aiming to raise around £6,000 by completing the trek and hope that Railnews readers might like to sponsor them.
Keith can be contacted on 07775 836949 and Steve on 07846 318345.