Why I am doing this again?

On the 18th December 2006, having endured two weeks on the mountain in particularly appalling weather culminating in two days and nights confined to our flimsy tents at 19,800 feet in winds up to 100 mile an hour and temperatures falling to -50 windchill, I descended Aconcagua, at 22.841 feet (6962 metres) the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas, in the teeth of this storm. I had ascended to the highest camp and to within one final days slog to the summit.

I arrived back in Mendoza mentally and physically exhausted and vowed I would never set foot on any mountain ever again..........

On April 21st 2008 Louis Dundas lost his tenacious and agonising 18 month battle against a brain tumour. Although I hardly knew him, this little boy, the son of my close friends Ruth and Bruce Dundas demonstrated a fortitude and courage through this appalling illness which demonstrated a strength of character, love of life and set an example of courage in the face of serious adversity which I have found totally inspirational.

Louis in his five short years achieved what we all spend a life time aspiring too; He has left a legacy which will have a profoundly positive impact on the lives of his fellow human beings.

On October 8th 2009 Ruth and Bruce announced ambitious plans in Louis memory to establish a centre for palliative care for children with life threatening illness at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Therefore in an effort to raise funds for this wonderful project I am going to attempt, one more time to climb Aconcagua.

I would love you to support me in my return to this formidable mountain between November 27th and December 23rd 2009 and thus help Ruth and Bruce to help other families who have to endure the despair of terminal illness in a child.

You can access my just giving site at

http://www.justgiving.com/Johnny-bergius0/

or pledge your support by e mailing me on

johnny@bergius.com.

I will be updating the blog on my progress both during training, and when I start the expedition.