Save The Children’s 50@50 Mountain Challenge

Save The Children’s 50@50 Mountain Challenge

In October, our intrepid President Martin Hawes and his mate Paul Scaife will rise to the challenge of climbing 50 of the South Island’s major mountain peaks in just 4 weeks. The intrepid duo will tackle this technically and physically demanding climb on the back of their 50th birthdays, proving that age is no obstacle to living your dreams.

In 1976, Paul Scaife climbed the 50 peaks in six weeks. Since then, only one other team has achieved this feat.

Paul Scaife

But Martin and Paul aim to do more than raise a flag on each mountain peak – they also hope to raise valuable funds for Save the Children.

Martin Hawes

You can donate to Save the Children today. Call freephone 0800 167 168 or make an instant online donation.

28 October
Scaife conquered the 21st mountain peak on Friday. Speaking to Martin Hawes before the weekend, Scaife said he was holding up well despite the bitter cold. Poor visability is likely to force Scaife to sit tight for the next couple of days.

21 October
Scaife has topped the 19th peak in Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park. Sitting atop Mt Aurora yesterday, he admitted being hesitant the first day out on his own, but then "got into it". He completed the same 50-peak quest 25 years ago and felt just as able now as he was back then. Speaking from Queenstown yesterday, Martin Hawes said he was disappointed at having to pull out of the climb due to illness but he was pleased for Scaife - "Paul is doing such an incredibly good job up there, already at 19 peaks and probably as we speak going for the 20th."

20 October
Illness has forced Martin Hawes to abandon the climb but climbing partner Paul Scaife (pictured) has decided to continue the 50 peak challenge on his own. This is a huge test for Scaife, requiring supreme concentration and mental toughness. Expert mountaineer Mark Inglis said today, "if Scaife achieves the 50 peaks it will rank as the most significant mountain climbing feat in New Zealand." So far, Scaife has knocked off 17 peaks and is on track to complete the challenge in 3 weeks.

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