Military veteran, Chris Gaskin, is setting out on an epic challenge and wants to do something to support those that served and continue to serve. The hope is that Project 214 raises much-needed funds and awareness for the charity, Walking With The Wounded.
Chris Gaskin is attempting to complete a solo, unsupported and continuous round of the 214 Wainwright fells in the Lake District, all for a very worthwhile cause. Project 214 involves climbing to the top of all 214 Wainwright fells in the Lake District; 318 miles and 36,000m ascent – with food, kit, equipment and no support. All food, kit and equipment will be carried from start to finish, and only water can be replenished. Cooking and camping equipment, water, spare clothing, safety and first aid equipment will all be in a pack that is expected to weigh in excess of 20kg. The challenge will also include wild sleeping on the trail for 10-14 nights. The target is to complete the challenge under the self-support record of 14 days and 11 hours. This is a huge challenge and works out as the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest 4 times!
Chris is also hoping that, if completed, this would be a first as well as the fastest. (This is a very coveted challenge that several others have been trying to attempt. At the time of writing – 13th May 2021 – this would still be a first.) There have been other attempts, but they have been either supported or self-supported. Records are held by Paul Tierney (supported 6 days, 6 hours and 5 minutes) and James Forrest (self-supported 14 days, 11 hours, 5 minutes and 45 seconds) respectively.
About Chris
Chris is former Special Forces who was born and bred in Yorkshire, England. Chris had a 13-year military career; the latter years were spent in the UK Special Forces where he served in operational environments worldwide. Since then, he has become an Ultra-Distance Athlete. He has always been a keen hiker and ultra-distance runner, through which he could use outdoors and running to create mental space.
Serving others has always been his mission. He has now turned his running into a way to support former military veterans and their families. He also created ‘Buddy Up’ to get others into the outdoors to share stories whilst also getting active. Chris’ MINDSET model has been tested time and time again and this challenge will be no different. Pushing boundaries is what he does!
Ground and Route
The setting for this challenge is the fells in the Lake District. The route, which starts and finishes in Keswick, is around 318 miles (512km) in distance and includes 36,000m of ascent – that’s the equivalent of Mount Everest four times, from sea to summit. The 214 Lake District fells were made famous by Alfred Wainwright. Chris will be following the route Steve Birkinshaw created during his record-breaking round in 2014 and has since been used by Paul Tierney and James Forrest in their record setting attempts. Chris will track his route and share it online via his website. He is hoping to start the challenge on 18th May and is looking to complete the round in 14 days.
Supporting Walking With The Wounded
Chris is doing this challenge in aid of Walking With The Wounded (WWTW), a charity that supports veterans of the Armed Forces and their families whose principal partner is the NHS with a focus on mental health and wellbeing.
Established in 2010, Walking With The Wounded, a military charity for ex-military in the UK, supports a pathway for disadvantaged veterans to re-integrate back into society and sustain their independence. The charity support those who have served in the Armed Forces and their families, empowering them to regain their independence, thrive and contribute in our communities.
They continue to support our ex-service community, even at this difficult time, and also support the NHS.
Whilst he hopes to raise much needed funds for the charity, he also hopes to motivate and inspire others to push boundaries and achieve more.
Staying hydrated with Water-to-Go
Chris will be able to stay well hydrated wherever he is with his Water-to-Go filter bottle. Thanks to the 3-in-1 technology in our filters, he can fill up from any tap or non-saltwater source on his challenges and instantly have access to safe, drinking water. Our filters eliminate up to 99.9999% of all microbiological contaminants including viruses, bacteria, chemicals and heavy metals from the water, whilst also allowing beneficial minerals through, meaning he will have access to the safest, healthiest water possible.
Furthermore, this means that Chris won’t need to use any single-use plastic water bottles which will reduce his carbon footprint on this or any future challenges, as just 1 of our 75cl filters replaces 400 single-use plastic bottles.
Saving weight is key in this challenge so using a Water-to-Go bottle will mean that he can save weight and finances on not needing to bring lots of single-use plastic water bottles on his challenge.
If you want to donate towards Chris’ project and also get your hands on one of our filter bottles that Chris will be using; well now you can! Use the coupon code CHRIS15 to get 15% off any of our bottles and we will donate 15% of the sale to Walking With The Wounded. Check out our 50cl bottles and 75cl bottles.
The whole team at Water-to-Go wishes Chris the very best of luck on his latest project and we hope you can all support him and the cause he is raising money for.
Mindset
Chris’ MINDSET model has been tested time and time again and this challenge will be no different. This MINDSET model has been proven to help Chris in some of the most challenging environments:
- M-otivation
- I-nspiration
- N-ever quit
- D-iscipline
- S-elf
- E-nvironment
- T-argets
Chris will set out on this challenge on 18th May 2021 and you can track his progress here – http://live.opentracking.co.uk/Project21/
To donate to his project, you can visit his fundraising page
What’s next?
Well, this challenge is perfect training for the Marathon De Sables or MdS, often referred to as the ‘toughest footrace on Earth’ which is scheduled to take place in October 21. This will be the next challenge that Chris hopes to undertake and complete.
Once again all funds raise will go to supporting veterans and the incredible work done by WWTW.
To keep up with all of Chris’ adventures and projects, check out his social media channel