Army veteran with serious health conditions completes one month trek to scale all 214 Wainwrights in aid of Combat Stress
Major Simon (Sip) Powers refused to let his physical injuries stop him from completing an extraordinary month-long endurance challenge – the self-supported scaling of all 214 Wainwright hills and mountains in the Lake District – from 1 August to 26 August 2023, to rasie awareness and funds for Combat Stress.
Sip was the first person with serious health issues to attempt this expedition. He has Type One diabetes, a stoma and autoimmune syndrome, and has undergone major surgery on his intestinal tract to eliminate inflammatory bowel disease and prevent the possible spread of rectal cancer. Sip completed this challenge carrying full expedition gear weighing approximately 20kgs and remain in the hills for the entire duration. He became only the seventh person to have scaled all Wainwrights in one attempt, ranging from 951ft (290m) to 3,209ft (978m) in height.
Sip set off on his month-long 600km expedition from Keswick town square on 1 August and hiked a minimum of 22km (the equivalent of a half marathon) every day so that he could conquer all 214 Wainwrights within a month. He was joined at various points by veterans and wounded soldiers, to challenge themselves in the great outdoors and at the same time assisting with their personal health and wellbeing.
Living in the wild for nearly four weeks is challenging enough but thanks to Sip’s 34 years in the military, he was well-prepared. He stashed essential food, medical supplies and other equipment around the Wainwrights but the expedition was not without risks.
Commenting on the challenge, Sip said: “This challenge was designed to represent those UK veterans who carry their troubles on their shoulders and break boundaries to prove what is possible. I have never let my physical condition be a barrier to achievement and keeping physically active and being outdoors helps me tackle my own demons. I have lost friends, comrades and soldiers to suicide, and I know there are veterans who find it hard to transition to civilian life. Raising funds and awareness for Combat Stress by pushing myself to my limits is a way to encourage other people to take the first step and ask for help with their mental health.”
Sip rasied an incredible £15,695, and we are incredibly grateful to him for his seflessness and dedication.