It's exhausting but exhilirating. Challenging  but very memorable. And the views you will see are totally spectacular.

The Mount Teide Challenge is waiting for you and if you enrol for the special 'moonlight' event in July, you will be helping a great cause.
Animal lover and fund-raiser Karen Clack is organising the Challenge on July 25 with help from the Atlantic Whale Foundation. All the money raised will go to the dogs' home Accion Sol under the wind turbines at Granadilla and will buy a specific piece of equipment or something that is needed.
Many people tackle the Mount Teide Challenge each year, including volunteers with the Whale Foundation so organisers are well rehearsed in what to do and how to organise the event.
The walk on July 25 will be unusual because it will start in the early hours of the morning, whilst still dark, and will allow the participants the rare chance of seeing the sun rise over Mount Teide and view the absolutely spectacular scenery around them. This has been described as 'one of the most memorable experiences of your life with staggering views.'
Karen is asking everyone who takes part to raise sponsorship, with a minimum amount of 50 euros, and she already has a number of volunteers. Many of them represent a business or a company who are backing them but of course you can go purely as an individual or with friends.
The 30km route is challenging but most people will be able to cope with it given a certain degree of fitness. Karen intends to split the group into two, for the very fit and the less fit.
Because it will be dark, the organisers will provide you with miner's helmets with a torch on them but you do need to have stout shoes. It is unlikely to be cold but you should come prepared just in case and you will need water and energy food and drink.
It is planned to meet up somewhere central at 2.30am before being taken to the Mount Teide car park and starting the challenge at 3am. You should reach your destination at around 7am. Karen also intends to arrange a meeting between all the organisers and the volunteers a week or two before the challenge so everyone knows what to expect and gets to know each other.
If you would like to take part, do ring Karen as soon as possible for further information on 687 905 511.

TN edition 403

Sunset photograph: © Sam McCathie