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If you would like to support Noel's world record attempt please make a donation to UCF by clicking on www.justgiving.com/7summits2sealevel
Intrepid local adventurer, Noel Hanna, has set a new world record after successfully completing the final leg of his ‘Seven Summits to Sea Level’ challenge while raising funds for Northern Ireland’s leading local cancer charity, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF).
Noel set off for Mount Vinson, Antarctica on 10th December for the last charity climb of his seven-leg journey. He reached the 4,897m summit of Mount Vinson on 23rd December before embarking on a 300km ski, over extreme terrain, to reach sea level at Hercules inlet.
Lynne Hanna, Noel’s wife, said, “I was delighted to get the news that Noel had safely reached sea level at noon on 3rd January. It had been an anxious couple of weeks as I knew that he would be facing freezing winds, -30 degree temperatures and extreme isolation during the challenge. I’m thrilled Noel has completed his world record attempt more than a week ahead of schedule and I’m very proud of his achievements.”
Noel spent many months preparing for the physical challenges, not just of reaching the summit of Mount Vinson, but also having to pull a sledge with all his equipment, clothing, food and shelter - which weighed in at a hefty 80 kilos!
Joyce Savage, Head of Appeals & Marketing, UCF said, “We send our hearty congratulations to Noel on his world record achievement! He is a top-class mountaineer who has shown tremendous determination and deserves all credit for his success. He has worked tirelessly to use his challenges to raise funds for the Ulster Cancer Foundation to improve the outlook of people affected by cancer.
To date Noel and Lynne, who together summitted Everest in May 2009, have raised £130,000 for UCF to fund a major new support programme for cancer patients and their families in Northern Ireland.
Since 2005, Noel has successfully completed summit to sea level expeditions on Denali, Elbrus, Everest, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, and Carstenz Pyramid. Special thanks to Elevation, Peak 6, Hamilton Shipping, Penton Publications and Pharma Nord, Denmark who supported Noel’s record breaking attempt.
Local adventurer, Noel Hanna, is gearing up for the final leg of his Guinness Book of Records ‘Seven Summits to Sea Level’ challenge while raising funds for Northern Ireland’s leading local cancer charity, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF).
Noel set off on 10th December to embark on the last charity climb of the seven-leg journey - attempting to reach the highest peak on all seven continents followed by top speed descents to sea level by means of human power.
This last climb involves a seven week expedition in Antarctica where Noel hopes to scale Mount Vinson which stands at 4,897 mts and then ski 300km to the sea at Hercules inlet.
World famous explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who met Noel and his wife Lynne on the summit of Mount Everest on 21st May 2009, said, “I have crossed Antarctica and I am very aware of the harsh conditions and the extreme and lonely challenge which lies ahead. Noel is an outstanding climber who is focused and determined to set a new world record. He has terrific motivation as he is using the climb to raise funds for the Ulster Cancer Foundation to improve the outlook for people who have been affected by cancer – a cause close to my own heart. I am delighted to offer my support and I wish Noel every success in his world record attempt.”
Noel will face freezing winds, -30 degree temperatures and extreme isolation during the challenge. Noel said, “Climbing the seven highest summits on each continent has captured the imagination of many people. Almost 200 people worldwide have completed this gruelling challenge however no-one has pushed their physical ability to return to sea level, at speed, after summiting each mountain.
“Although this will not be the toughest climb, out of the seven mountains, it is definitely by far the most difficult logistically. The preparations have taken months to ensure that I am physically and mentally ready for harsh conditions in such a remote landscape.
“Packing the minimum amount is difficult but essential as I will have to pull a sledge with all my equipment, clothing, food and shelter each day which will weigh around 80Kg’s. Weather permitting, I hope to summit Mount Vinson on Christmas Day which is the half way point. I will then have to ski to sea level which will be an arduous task over difficult terrain but if everything goes to plan I hope to finish and be a world record holder by mid January.”
To date Noel and Lynne have raised £130,000 for UCF to fund a major new support programme for cancer patients and their families in Northern Ireland. If you would like to support Noel’s world record attempt please make a donation to UCF by clicking on www.justgiving.com/7summits2sealevel
Since 2005, Noel has successfully completed summit to sea level expeditions on Denali, Elbrus, Everest, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, and Carstenz Pyramid. In addition to the shear stress of climbing, Noel has encountered head hunters chasing him in Papua as well as a host of other unpredictable tests. You can follow Noel on his expedition by logging onto www.7summits2sealevel.com Special thanks to Elevation and Peak 6, two leading US investment firms, local companies Hamilton Shipping and Penton Publications and Pharma Nord, Denmark who are supporting Noel’s record breaking attempt.
Noel Hanna pictured on a previous expedition climbing Mount Everest.
