Mount Elbrus, a true display of adaptability and commitment

Over the months a team has been forged made up of serving military personnel, service leavers, civilians and sports personalities, with the aim of raising the profile of Hire a Hero.
 
Having come together, displaying how those from differing walks of life can do so, traversing some of Europe’s harshest conditions, Sunday marked the group’s return, attempts to summit Europe’s highest peak scuppered by snow.
 
Indeed, interest in Hire a Hero has been raised thanks to the climb, with more businesses actively recruiting service personnel, and people, as far away as Russia offering their support to the charity.
 
Team leader and Hire a Hero sponsor Sergeant Rohit Mohan of Taurus Squadron, HMS Forward, is confident, although having not scaled the summit that many positive can be taken from the climb.
 
“I think we’ve accomplished a lot of the aims that we set for the expedition by increasing the awareness of the charity through coverage on British Forces Broadcasting Service, for example.”
 
“Having Ian Gough on board helped us in doing that, with articles published in the Welsh media, where the charity is based, but just imagine the coverage we could get with more supporters!”
 
Atop Elbrus with the weather closing in it was a case of now or never explains Wales international Ian Gough
 
“After a briefing from the guides it became apparent that Thursday would be our best chance at a summit attempt with the weather getting worse.”
 
An attempt at sleep followed ahead of the ascent the team woke, achieving just four hours rest ahead of the 15 hour day of climbing.
 
“News was not good,” said Gough, “weather had worsened, we were now in white out conditions with the American hiker still not accounted for, and we could hear the wind whipping the snow into the tent, sleep proved most difficult.”
 
Mountain leader Captain Carl Fisher praised the effort of the team, ensuring that the aims of the climb were achieved.
 
“Key to raising the charity’s profile was teamwork, countless hours of e-mailing, endless miles on the road meeting people and fundraising events,” Fisher explained.
 
“The aim of the expedition was to raise the profile of the charity by going that extra mile, a character trait our servicemen and women have bred into them.”
 
These are feelings echoed by Ospreys second-row Gough, who returns to pre-season training with the Welsh province after the expedition.
 
“Although not achieving everything that we had set out to the team adapted to every situation that was thrust upon us and got everybody back safely.
 
“A great bunch of guys that had given their spare time and at personal cost to support a great charity which will help our soldiers lead a better life after serving us all.”
 
We are assured that plans are already underway for the next climb, whether it be Elbrus or another of the World’s seven summits.