The Shugyo Project

Hi everyone,

After more than 12 months of training, preparation and adventure, culminating in my attempt on the Matterhorn, I wanted to share an update on how things went.

Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the summit this time. I got around halfway up the mountain before the pain in both feet became too much and I had to turn back. Before the climb, I had an emergency MRI scan on an existing foot injury and was hoping it would hold up. Unfortunately, after more than 12 months of training and preparation, a foot injury in the final week before the climb ultimately proved to be my undoing. While I was able to continue climbing upwards, I knew it would become a serious problem on the descent.

The Matterhorn is a serious, exposed mountain that requires highly technical climbing throughout. Although the ascent takes around four hours, getting back down safely is often the greater challenge. Above 4,000 metres, the terrain is steep, exposed, icy and often snow-covered, demanding absolute concentration and sure-footed movement.

With my feet already causing significant pain, I knew the descent would become increasingly dangerous. From the point where I turned around, there were still several hours of technical descending ahead, followed by a further two-hour walk down to the ski lift. In effect, I could have been facing five or more hours of worsening pain. In an environment like that, where concentration and good decision-making are crucial, it simply wasn’t a risk worth taking. Continuing would have put both my guide and me at unnecessary risk, so as difficult as it was, I had to make the sensible decision to turn back.

While I’m disappointed not to have reached the summit, I’m incredibly proud of everything I’ve achieved over the past year in preparation for this challenge.

Closer to home, I completed a number of classic routes in Eryri (Snowdonia), including:

• Tryfan Bach Arete
• Bastow Buttress
• Upper North Ridge of Tryfan
• Bristly Ridge

I then took those skills into the Alps, completing some fantastic climbs and ridges across France, Italy and Switzerland, including:

• Arête des Cosmiques
• Aiguilles Crochues Traverse
• Aiguilles d’Entrèves Ridge
• Riffelhorn

Although the Matterhorn remains unfinished business, this journey has taken me further than I ever thought possible and given me experiences I’ll never forget.

Most importantly, I’ve learned a huge amount from the experience. I now know what to expect on the mountain, how my body responds at altitude, and where I can improve. The injury may have stopped me this time, but it hasn’t changed my goal.

In fact, I’m already planning a family trip back to the Alps, with some time set aside for me to finish the task I set myself over a year ago. Yes, there will be a next time.

Until then, I’ll continue to hone my fitness with longer runs, longer swims and more time in the mountains to give myself the best possible chance of success when I return.

Thank you so much to everyone who sponsored, encouraged and supported me throughout this challenge. I’m genuinely sorry that I couldn’t complete the Matterhorn, but I had to make the safest decision. Your support has meant the world to me, and I hope you’ll continue to follow the journey when I return to finish what I started.