In the sequel to "Man Down", a second disaster has befallen the team, with exceptional ice climber dbs aka Dave Selman having to make the difficult but again sensible decision to step back from the plate. Given recent weather conditions, his expertise will be missed.
"Hi team,
I've been having a think about things and I've decided to back out of the BG for this year.
A combination of a lack of training (through injury and illness) and a lack of remaining time to sufficiently recce the course mean that there's very little chance I'll be sufficiently prepared by June to take on the BG. Sorry to bail on you all...
With all of that said, if you've no objection, I'm still keen to come on some of the training weekends we planned (though perhaps not all of them) and if you'd like, to pace you on some of the legs when you have a crack at the route.
dbs"
This leaves just three men standing:
Nick Williams
Veteran of the 2005 Cho Oyu expedition and numerous forays into the Alps, the Highlands and the spanish bar behind Tottenham Court Road tube. My favourite moment - Hearing that Nick had thrown one of his work shoes in the Thames after a particulary big night. It was a Tuesday. The man is a legend. He had the remarkable fortune of meeting me at Lovells and in no way returns from every adventure worse off than everyone else.
Caspar Kennerdale
With a name that is half Jedi, half disney, Caspar provides the experience in the outfit. Anyone who can complete the Marathon Des Sables deserves a lot of respect and more than earns a Jedi label. However, this was the same man who once sparked a climbing foray at 4am when, with his hand out of the window he declared that the weather had turned for the better, that the rain had ceased and that we should kit up and head out. Somehow he had failed to notice the overhanging second floor... Works for Centaur, something to do with computers (eyes start to glaze) but it requires a pin stripe and seems to fund a lot of climbing kit.
Me
The only famous person I have been likened to is one of high wit and intelligence and blessed with an innate natural athleticism: Rodney Trotter. I'm English, like the rest of the team, which equates to an alarming tendency to naivity and hopefulness. Hell, you have to be to follow in the footsteps of Bob.
