Himalayan Training in the Yorkshire Dales

The morning of 12/9/09 was an early one for the Carnegie Himalayan Expedition team. The group gathered in the Yorkshire Dales village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale to attempt the 24 mile mixed terrain route best known as the Yorkshire 3 Peaks.

The trek created an opportunity to raise public awareness regarding the expedition, and in addition provided the team a chance to demonstrate the positive effects of the various physical conditioning programmes in which they have been involved.

With the weather being fully supportive from the outset, many of us were denied the opportunity to field test our various pieces of newly purchased equipment. Although remaining slightly disappointed that the conditions fell short of the desired -20 degree coat-testing-environment, the vast majority of the trekkers on the route were in fabulous spirits, and helped to create a fantastic start to the day.


Pen-y-Ghent was the first obstacle the team hit, but it failed to faze the expedition members and offered the first magnificent views of the day. A long walk followed from the summit, across stone walls, cattle grids and bogs, the latter of which firmly christened any new boots in the party.

The climb towards Wernside was an extended one, but relatively gentle compared to the previous peak. The visibility on the day provided brilliant views throughout, but still didn’t fully prepare us for the sight of the Dales from the top of our second peak. With summit photo number 2 completed, we set out for the final climb up Ingleborough. Although the author’s legs had already been fully tested, the prodigious achievement of completing the 3 Peaks challenge, and the commendable determination of the team helped to keep everyone going forwards, with smiles on their faces

The team aptly, if crudely nicknamed the steps which composed the final climb of the day, but a cracking leg burner and some soggy base layers later, the whole team had made it to their third Yorkshire Peak of the day. The final walk back was eventful, but neither the grints nor the local cows which littered the path could prevent every team member returning unscathed (relatively).

A brilliant day. Congratulations to the team for the work they put in to meet the physical demands the day required. Another significant step closer to reaching our Himalayan goal.

Qualities of a good leader

One of the key aspects of the recent Graduate Trainee visit to Bavaria was identifying the qualities of a good leader. We were asked to identify the top five leadership qualities that we had observed in others, giving specific examples of when they had seen these in practice. The range of qualities identified was both comprehensive and enlightening, ranging from the ability to remain calm under pressure, to providing vision and direction to a team.









The tasks we were presented with provided ample opportunity to put these 'ideal' leadership skills to work. The protective environment of the Carnegie Alpenrose, alongside the fantastic support of the My Peak Potential team, provided the perfect backdrop for this. A key aim was to allow individuals the opportunity to reflect on how they might take what they had learned and observed back to their working environment. A highlight for me was the personal support shown across the group throughout each task or activity. As our students graduate this week they experience a different but equally poignant sense of community spirit. It was a privilege to be a part of this residential and I hope our graduating students will embrace many opportunities following receipt of their awards.

Paul TyrerHuman Resources

Leadership and Management Programme

In May I visited the beautiful Alpenrose facility in Bavaria. The trip was part of the Leadership and Management programme and proved to be an excellent finale to the group experience of the programme. The surroundings of Bavaria proved uplifting, with the striking Alpine scenes inspirational and each day presenting another aspect of natural beauty to wonder at. We were welcomed warmly by the staff of My Peak Potential, the University partner operating the Alpenrose facility and throughout the whole experience their friendly and gentle support proved invaluable in coaching us through fairly challenging tasks.

Though based in different areas of the University we soon formed a strong and supportive team, reducing the potential anxiety of the challenges of the experience greatly and it is this that must be the most important learning point of the trip for me. We all have tough jobs to do but with the considerate support of colleagues the burden is shared, the outcomes improved and the experience positive. The tasks we undertook all had a physical aspect and this made the excellent cooking of the chef Herbert Muller even more inviting, with his traditional dishes proving supremely wholesome and universally loved by the group!

Lawrence Bellamy - Faculty of Business and Law

Escape the heat wave

With a Met Office heat wave warning out for the UK, what better time than right now to plan a get away from all the stickiness to the fresh, crisp air and open spaces of the mountains!

If you can’t open enough windows in the office and you are fed up of breathing in the recycled air from the air conditioning unit in the corner, then what you need is some of Europe’s cleanest air combined with the superb Alpine climate of the Bavarian mountains.
Our Alpine lodge is nestled into the foothills at a fresh 934m’s above sea level. From here you can access the mountains directly from the front door. Just 45 minutes of uphill from here is your nearest summit where you will be greeted with stunning views, peace and quiet (except for the tinkle of distant cowbells) and as many breaths of clear crispy fresh air as you can take!

This part of the Alps has an amazing amount of sunshine throughout the year. A gentle breeze carries the scent of the Alpine forests with it and the many local festivals and traditional Bavarian ceremonies (Lederhosen und alles) will keep you fully entertained.

Our Adventurous Training Centre offers you the chance to experience the mountains via Klettersteigs and Rock climbing where you may even venture into the lingering snow on the higher summits. Alternatively you can chill out on the beautiful river Iller that winds its way through the valley floor, in the shadow of the mountains. Stop on the riverbank for a Bavarian picnic and take a dip to reward yourself for being clever enough to get out of the heat wave!

We also offer a huge variety of other Adventure activities that can be booked in advance or you can simply enjoy the chance to rest, relax and enjoy the mountains around you at your own pace.
Please visit our website for more details on the area, activities and accommodation.

This summer we are offering rooms from €30 a night for B&B. Please contact us on jo@my-peakpotential.com or call us on +49(0)8321 788 48 54 for availability.

See you in the mountains

Jo

Everest Fundraising Ball

My Peak Potential are currently involved in leading a team of students and staff on the journey of a lifetime to Everest Base camp.

Last weekend, the team hosted a fantastic fundraising ball at Leeds Elland Road stadium which was hailed a huge success rasing £15,000. The evening went without a hitch, save for the confusion of the compere's heads or tails game which saw a few bemused party goers standing around with their hands planted on their heads or holding their backsides wondering if they were still in the game.

Around 350 guests, including Leeds United goalkeeper Casper Ankergren, British mountaineer Alan Hinkes, GB Kayak canoe champion Claire O'Hara and Leeds Carnegie's Steve Nance and Andy Key turned up to support the expedition. They were greeted by a champagne reception before sitting down to a delicious four course meal.

Expedition leader Dave Bunting introduced the evening followed by a short film about the community project they are supporting, Self Help Group for Cerebral Palsy (SGCP ). Dave said "As well as improving levels of fitness for their trek to Everest Base Camp in October 2009, the team has to meet an immense challenge on the fundraising front to make this Expedition a success and to support the SGCP. The success of Saturday night brings us another step closer to achieving the team's objectives and we are looking forward to the next events to maintain this momentum."

Following the meal, the compere for the evening, Frank Hanson, came into his own and was auctioneer supreme, getting people to reach deep into their pockets for some great prizes such as a holiday for 6 in a Norwegian Log Cabin, a weekend sailing trip and a day with the GB bobsleigh team culminating in a run down the St Moritz course! However, the prize everyone had their eyes on though was a place on the team to Basecamp. This was snapped up quickly and for a handsome figure. The team is now one person stronger.

International Rugby star prepares for Everest with My Peak Potential

This weekend saw Josh Lewsey, World cup winning International rugby player, along with best mate Captain Keith Reesby, a serving Army helicopter pilot, start their preparation to climb Mount Everest next Apr-May. The 3 day programme with My Peak Potential was based around establishing a starting point for the training from a climbing/mountaineering perspective.
Josh Lewsey’s long and successful career in both national and international rugby has kept him mainly at sea level with his feet firmly on a rugby pitch. He and Keith recently trekked to K2’s base camp which has given them both a taste of how the altitude might affect them. However their goal of reaching the roof of the world is going to be no mean feat and the next year will see them working hard to fully prepare themselves for what they will encounter during their push for the summit of Everest.

John Doyle and Dave Bunting of My Peak Potential, who between them have over 15 Himalayan Expeditions under their belts, will be putting both Josh and Keith through their paces in the next year. Their extensive knowledge and experience in both leading and climbing at altitude allows them to pass on all the necessary skills and preparation needed to give Josh and Keith the best chance of making it to the top of Everest next year. As well as learning how to use their crampons, ice axes and ropes effectively, they will also be learning a lot about what it takes both physically and mentally to get themselves up nearly three and a half kilometers of snow and ice.
John Doyle has successfully summited both the 3rd and 11th highest peaks in the world without supplementary oxygen and Dave Bunting recently led and climbed on an expedition attempting Everest’s summit via it’s notoriously dangerous and rarely attempted West Ridge route. John Doyle was also Climbing Leader on this expedition which although cut short due to avalanche conditions high up on the mountain, was hailed as a great success with all 20 climbing members reaching the high camp at 7600m.

Josh and Keith’s training started in earnest this weekend by way of a gentle introduction and familiarisation to harnesses and ropes. They were kitted up and tied in ready to descend the Gorge that runs behind My Peak Potential’s Alpine Training centre in Bavaria. With two waterfalls, zip wires and Tyrolean traverses to cross, this course of rope work allows people to acquaint themselves with knots, ropes and other climbing equipment in a controlled environment. Happy with their kit and eager to get to grips with the more advanced mountain gear, they were then taken up to the snowline on the mountains above the lodge to try on crampons and practice with ascending techniques. With just enough snow left in this part of the Alps to pull it off, the weather held just long enough to give them a small taste of what would be required of them. All that was missing was the exposure and altitude.

The next day My Peak Potential took Josh and Keith to a popular Klettersteig in Austria where they made a 500ft ascent of a cliff face next to a huge waterfall. Klettersteig is a very popular activity in this part of the Alps. Also known as Via Ferrata in other Alpine regions, it is a method of climbing and traversing the mountains using fixed metal ropes, bridges and ladders. You are clipped onto the wires and so it is a relatively safe method of reaching the parts of the mountains usually reserved for mountaineers and goats! Through his rugby, Josh is a very fit and athletic person and as the route progressed so did Josh’s technique. By the time he topped out an hour and a bit later he sighted it as “one of the best things I have ever done!” It also made him acutely aware of the need for high quality training in the skill sets needed to climb effectively and, more importantly at altitude, efficiently!

The weekend was a great success and plans have been made for the next stages of training including a 7-9 day high alpine programme. Both Josh and Keith are also enlisting the help of My Peak Potential’s partners, Leeds Metropolitan University in the very near future to gain crucial assistance and advice on physical and nutritional preparation for their climb. The University’s research and assistance on the Everest West Ridge Expedition was sighted as a very strong factor in the team’s outstanding performance on the mountain and so will offer the friends the best chance of making their dream to stand on top of the world a very real one.

“The first step! Thanks so much - the best outdoor experience I’ve had. See you again soon” Josh Lewsey

“What an amazing weekend! Thanks so much for your hospitality and training which will hopefully set the foundations for Everest. See you again in August” – Capt. Keith Reesby

If you are making plans to climb a mountain My Peak Potential offer valuable skills training, support in nutrition and fitness and tried and tested advice of all aspects of expeditioning and climbing at altitude. Please visit www.my-peakpotential.com/expeditions for further info and details of how to get in touch.

Reflections on MSc Leadership; A Week of Masterful Leadership.

Why has this course struck such a resonance within me, why am I so excited about learning again? Is it because of its utter relevance to my everyday working life, its experiential teaching styles or the charisma and passion with which the subject matter is delivered?


Probably all of the above, but I think it also runs deeper. The fundamental values and core principles that first attracted me to the medical profession, that are so ingrained and have been subconsciously honed over the years, are what this course embodies.

Teamwork, problem solving, mental and physical challenge, self awareness and communication skills are all components of leadership that are so fundamental to our profession. This week and the preceding weekends of theory have addressed all of these facets, and more, that we all rely upon in our working arena, providing a formal framework of concepts and models within which to understand and begin to master them.

The opportunities given to cement the theoretical learning within exhilarating practical experiences means that this was a most rewarding and productive week.

Individuals were challenged and encouraged to deconstruct themselves before being given the tools and awareness to discover and develop self leadership skills that may have been latent or absent previously.

The diversity and intensity of physical and mental challenges that were met and conquered by everyone within the group meant that through the week’s journey steep slopes were climbed and many summits reached!

Anyone can read a text book on leadership or attend a seminar but to have the opportunity to experience the theory in such high calibre company and within such a breath taking environment has been a privilege.

Thank you everyone at the Carnegie Alpenrose for a truly memorable week.

Dr Tim Moore - Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland