One Workplace - Rod Hogg's climb for Children In Need

I am very pleased to be able to tell you all about Rodney Hogg, a Workplace team member who has taken my recent One Workplace charity initiative to heart and decided to do the latest of his gruelling mountaineering climbs in aid of Children In Need. On the 30 May 2009 Rod will leave London to travel to Alaska for an ascent of Denali, North America's highest mountain, via the West Buttress Route. It is sometimes said, only half-jokingly, that climbing Everest is good preparation for climbing Denali. The name Denali means "the Great One" in the local Athabaskan dialect. Also known as Mount McKinley, it is unsurpassed in challenge or scenic beauty, offering one of the world's greatest expedition challenges. At 6194 meters (20320 ft), Denali is the highest mountain in North America situated 150 miles (250km) to the north of Anchorage in the Alaska Range, close to the Arctic Circle. Check out some images here and below.

While some South American and Asian peaks are higher, Denali's arctic environment, characterised by extremely cold weather and harsh storms, and its great height above the Alaskan plain make it a severe test of personal strength, team work and logistics. It is the tallest mountain on the North American continent, one of the Seven Summits and has a fearsome and well-justified reputation for being the hardest and coldest of these summits, so provides an incredible challenge for climbers from all over the world. It is often said that the greatest challenge of Denali is not the climbing, but the weather. While most of the world's highest mountains are near the equator, Denali is closer to the North Pole. Denali is located in the middle of the southern Alaskan mainland, 200 miles south of the Artic Circle at 63° North Latitude. This is 35° further north than Everest; this is the same latitude as northern Hudson Bay and central Scandinavia.

Born in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1966 Rod developed a boyhood love for the outdoors. Leaving Zimbabwe in 1979 to live in South Africa with his parents and brothers saw the start of his teenage outdoor adventures and sporting achievements. After leaving school in 1984 with sporting colors in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics he was conscripted into the South African Defence Force and joined the elite Parachute Regiment, gaining his wings in July of 1985. On leaving the army at the end of 1986, Rod found a passion for triathlons and kayaking, with the help of his sponsors he went on to complete in the 1987 SA Triathlon Championships and in the following years completed 2 Iron Man triathlons, 2 Duzi canoe marathons, and several running marathons including the Comrades ultra marathon of 97km.

After touring to Spain in 1999 as a member of the University of Witwatersrand canoe team, Rod found himself travelling through Europe, finally settling in London in 2000. It was not until 2004 that he first experienced the thrills of rock climbing in the Lake District and from there his climbing and mountaineering passion grew.

Rod is a devoted father of three children and also has a keen interest in bee keeping with several hives located in Richmond Park. He is a member of the Thames Valley Climbing Club and has climbed predominantly in Scotland and the Alps over the last 4 years. Notable achievements have been successful climbs of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Matterhorn, a traverse of the Eiger, and Mont Blanc.

Rod says: "I have always looked for challenges in life and believed in living life to its fullest. I am doing this expedition to Denali in order to raise money for the charity Children in Need. Children in Need are one of the UK's most important charities and help transform children and young people's lives throughout the country. I am keen to play my part in raising money to support this charity and hope you will help me in doing so. Thanks for your interest and support.".

It is possible to support Rod's climb by sponsoring him via his page on MyCharityPage.

I'm sure you will agree from the pictures below that the mountain looks most imposing! Join me in wishing Rod all the best for a successful climb and safe return.

Chris

Update on 15th May

Rod has made the front page of Ariel online today! Check out the story here:

https://ariel.gateway.bbc.co.uk/viewDailyNews.asp?storyID=21319