Mark Norbury

This article was written before Mr Norbury conquered Aconcagua.

I have been a keen mountaineer since my youth, my first climb being Great Gable in The Lake District, United Kingdom, at the age of two. I like to climb the highest mountains of countries I visit, so I've conquered Ben Nevis (1344m) in the United Kingdom, Carrauntoohil (1041m) in the Republic of Ireland and Mount Inyangani (2600m) in Zimbabwe. My highest solo climb is Corno Grande (2912m) in the Gran Sasso in Italy but my highest climb to date is Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 2002, the highest mountain of Africa. This week-long expedition was not particularly difficult physically, but I did suffer from mountain sickness, a lack of oxygen, on the summit day, along with the rest of the expedition party. Fortunately this didn't stop me from reaching the summit at 5895m and enjoying the spectacular views of glaciers, a beautiful clear blue sky and the African plains below.

In January 2006 I visited the Andes in South America for the first time and attempted a climb of Vallunaraju (5680m) in the Cordillera Blanca in Peru. Though we didn't reach the summit due to mountain sickness it did give me experience in the use of glacier climbing with crampons and ice picks. This was part of a three month backpacking tour across South America, following the line of the Andes. I visited the highest city in the world, Potosi, on the Bolivian altiplano. Here I suffered constantly from mountain sickness, even walking just a few metres up-hill was a struggle for me, yet there were people who were born and bred here for whom the altitude was part of their normal everyday life.

Aconcagua, the highest of the Andes, is likely to be an extremely tough climb. During my backpacking tour I visited Aconcagua National Park in Argentina with my fiancée and had a good view of the summit. At 6962m climbing it is likely to cause mountain sickness, but it also has the physical challenges required of hiking across glaciers, and severe weather conditions, which may affect attempts for the summit. The expedition is to last for 25 days.

So why do people climb mountains? There are many reasons, but pushing oneself and achieving something challenging is part of what makes us human and makes us alive. Standing on top of a mountain after the physical challenge of the climb gives an immense feeling of satisfaction.

In May 2007 I emigrated from the UK to Canada. During the coming months here I hope to gain as much experience as possible of glacier climbing and wilderness camping, and get myself into good shape ready for the ascent of Aconcagua.

Deciding which charity to support in sponsorship for my climb was not difficult. Protecting the lives of children I believe to be the most important challenge facing the world at this moment. Life begins at conception, as scientists can prove, and there is little that distinguishes a baby within the womb from a baby that has been born. Both are dependent on their mother for nourishment, warmth, love and all that sustains their life. The average mother or her doctor would not dream of killing a baby after birth, yet sadly it has become socially and politically acceptable to kill a baby within its mother's womb.

I wholeheartedly support the work that SPUC do in making UK citizens aware of the importance of protecting innocent children and hope that my sponsored climb will help provide them with the essential funds that they need to continue this good work.

Mr Norbury is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.