68-year-old Derry man conquers UK’s highest peak to raise funds for local charity

A Derry man has conquered the UK'S highest peak in aid of a local charity, at the sprightly age of 68.

John McCallion, who hails from the Rosemount area of the city, reached the top of Ben Nevis last week with his two fellow adventurers, Derek Lishman and Joanne Toner, who are also from the city.

The intrepid trio took on the 1,345 metres (4,411 ft) climb to raise funds for the Derry-based charity Children in Crossfire, which has supported initiatives that improve the daily lives for people living in some of the world's poorest communities since it was established in 1996.

John’s trek began on Friday, October 20, where he and his fellow mountaineers, including a couple made up of an English man and Scottish woman, and their guide June, set off from their hotel at Fort William, Scotland.

Speaking to the Derry News, John, who is now safely home, said that despite clocking up a staggering 50 miles a week during his strolls through the streets – and many hills – of Derry, it soon became clear that this was a challenge that would prove too much event for the most ardent hill walker.

“I was very perturbed well before the first quarter of the ascent was completed,” he said.

“It had already become painfully evident, to put it mildly, that walking 50 or more miles per week even in an undulating city like Derry was no guarantee of success - especially for a 68-years-old whose limited mountaineering experience had happened almost 40 years previously.

“There were relatively flat stages on the giddy winding path that were much appreciated because of their rarity. “Most sections comprised steps of roughly hewn slabs, stacked miniature boulders, or jagged rocks.”

However, while some of the group powered on, bad news soon arrived regarding their guides.

“My Derry companions Derek and Joanne, with much Irish mountaineering experience, soon raced comfortably ahead. “The English couple, active walkers like me and possibly in their fifties, fell way behind despite the husband having climbed Kilimanjaro.

“Shortly after the half-way stage I learned that they had turned back with guide June. As I struggled slowly and grimly after my guide Andy, I was not convinced that I had more sense than they did.”

Despite the grim tidings, John marched on.

“On and on and on I forlornly trudged, although the patient and encouraging Andy assured me that even my speed was acceptable. “By this time, the rain was falling, the wind had raised its voice, and a thick mist guaranteed that there would be at most a few feet of visibility at the still distant summit. I wondered what insanity had brought me there.

“On reaching the mountain's first 'Summit Marker' guide Andy cheered me up immensely by informing me that at my pace the goal was still about an hour away. “Although happy to accompany me there, he candidly wondered if I would make the descent. “Let nobody underestimate the pain in my calves, and my state of mind, on those soaked, windy and mist-enshrouded slopes.”

One of John’s toughest challenges came when he realised in no uncertain terms just how high above sea level Ben Nevis actually is.

“The steep slopes beside the path in the earlier stages did not vex me but on turning a bend that Andy assured me was but a few minutes from our goal, I had a panic attack,” John continued. “Not too far away on my left was a cliff edge that promised a sheer drop to oblivion; I moved to the right and walked past it much quicker than I thought I could!” Then, finally, they reached the summit. There was now just the small matter of getting back down. “When we reached the summit, my guide Andy, probably relieved that I was not a corpse, gave me a congratulatory hug,” he added.

“I almost forgot my aches and felt an enormous sense of accomplishment. My Derry comrades conquered the mountain in half my time. I am not proud to report that, but they agreed that I had no right to be ashamed of it either.”

He continued: “After a quick meal Andy and I had no reason to linger, as the thick mist totally obliterated what would have been an awesome sight. “I started the descent confidently but still slowly, emboldened by my achievement and wondered how accurate were assertions that the descent was more difficult than the climb. “I learned when I reached the first rocky section, that set the pattern for the others all the long way down.

“Worse still, whereas my calves suffered on the ascent, now my knees started to vibrate alarmingly. I soon wondered very fearfully if I could keep the oath I had made to Andy to get down under my own steam. Again, on and on I went, eventually helped by guide June whom Andy summoned from below.”

Finally, John reached the safety of terra firma – and let nature know who was boss.

“When I exited after what seemed like centuries, I resisted the urge to kiss the ground because I knew it would require lots of assistance to get me upright again,” he said

“I was beyond the end of my physical and emotional ropes. Instead, I raised my hiking stick and screamed triumphantly to the best of my limited ability. After another congratulatory hug from Andy, I collapsed gratefully into his car.”

John continued: “I had defeated the mountain, but it felt as miraculous as lasting 15 rounds with Rocky Marciano, wondering how much life I had left, and even more miraculously winning on points.”

“I am of course relieved and pleased that I accomplished what I set out to do, but my primary feeling is one of amazement bordering on disbelief that I succeeded in a task whose difficulty I enormously underestimated, in such obstructive weather, often with feelings of considerable futility.

“I do wish my late, wonderful wife Robin had still been around to greet me when I finished my descent.”

A spokesperson for Children in Crossfire congratulated John and his companions on their ‘amazing’ achievement.

Pictured above - A jubilant John pictured after conquering Ben Nevis.