'Ben there, Nevis again,' say climbers Clare and Rachel

Three cheers for Corinium Care’s intrepid Managing Director and Finance Director who survived a heroic attempt to conquer Ben Nevis by moonlight.
FD Rachel made it to the top. MD Clare almost did. And together they raised more than £1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Rachel and Clare with their medals

It was dark, wet and cold when the daring duo set off on their 1,344 metre climb at 10.30pm. Conditions on the Scottish mountain were so tough that only 100 of the 170 charity walkers made it to the summit and back.
One of them was our Rachel who finished in 10.5 gruelling hours. Clare managed a heroic 4 hours on the upward slopes before exhaustion got the better of her and race marshals ordered her to turn around.
Neither Clare nor Rachel are lightweights: both do regular fitness training and Rachel has just completed her second triathlon. But the UK’s highest peak, with just a headtorch and a couple of walking poles, was a tough challenge.
“It was very dark, wet and slippery and incredibly cold at the top. The wind was howling. We were walking through snow and couldn’t see where we were going,” said Rachel. “The terrain was very rocky and much of the time we had to walk sideways.

Ben Nevis: the UK's highest peak

“When dawn broke, I must admit that I was feeling pretty miserable. Two people were airlifted off the mountain. So I’m proud to have done it but, boy, it was tough!
“It was only when we both got to Glasgow railway station and found the cocktail bar that we began to feel human again.”
Clare was disappointed she didn’t reach the summit. “I’m not a quitter, but I just couldn’t give any more than I did,” she said. “I will go back one day – me and Ben have unfinished business.
“We’d like to thank everyone for supporting us. We did our very best, and Rachel’s achievement was astonishing.”
Anyone who wants to sponsor Clare and Rachel can still do so at www.justgiving.com/CoriniumCareLtd