A MIDDLETON-in-Teesdale resident is expecting to reach the summit of Mount Everest this week, having taken just six weeks to complete the expedition.
However, Jane Mardon has not travelled to Nepal for the epic adventure, but has used the staircase of her three-storey home to complete the feat after learning of the challenge thought up by dale geologist Trevor Morse. Mr Morse, who is at home with his wife Lynn, calculated people need to climb 20 staircases, of 12 treads each day to reach the height of Mount Everest in 182 days. Mrs Mardon, a member of Teesdale Athletics Club, is isolating at home alone decided to have a go.
She said: “I got to know about the challenge through Utass and their In it Together group and I started on Saturday, March 21.
“I’m on my own here and Utass have been so supportive normally and especially now. When I get to the top I am going to make a donation to them as the services they offer are invaluable. I’m doing it really for a bit of fun. My friends in Cumbria and Hastings are doing it with me and we are sending photos to each other.”
Mrs Mardon, who took up running as something to focus on five years ago, said her home is ideally suited to the challenge, with 45 steps to the top. She starts her day by doing five sets of her staircase, accompanied by her trusty cardboard Sherpa, Merlot, and completed an eye-watering 25 sets each day (1,125 steps).
“I was expecting to reach the summit on Tuesday (April 28). I haven’t had any problems with the climb so far, but I did notice about 8,000 steps ago my knees started to ache. But I went to bed and they were fine in the morning.”
When she finishes having made an estimated 43,875 steps, Mrs Mardon is planning to put four flags on her makeshift mountain top.
She added: “I’m planning to put flags up for Utass, Teesdale Athletics, the Castle Players and one for Holland as I have many friends there.”
