Save The Children’s 50@50 Mountain Challenge
In October, our intrepid President Martin Hawes and his mate Paul Scaife will rise to the challenge of climbing 50 of
the South Island’s major mountain peaks in just 4 weeks. The intrepid duo will tackle this technically and physically
demanding climb on the back of their 50th birthdays, proving that age is no obstacle to living your dreams.
In 1976, Paul Scaife climbed the 50 peaks in six weeks. Since then, only one other team has achieved this feat.
Paul Scaife
But Martin and Paul aim to do more than raise a flag on each mountain peak – they also hope to raise valuable funds for
Save the Children.
Martin Hawes
You can donate to Save the Children today. Call freephone 0800 167 168 or make an instant online donation.
28 October
Scaife conquered the 21st mountain peak on Friday. Speaking to Martin Hawes before the weekend, Scaife said he was
holding up well despite the bitter cold. Poor visability is likely to force Scaife to sit tight for the next couple of
days.
21 October
Scaife has topped the 19th peak in Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park. Sitting atop Mt Aurora yesterday, he admitted being
hesitant the first day out on his own, but then "got into it". He completed the same 50-peak quest 25 years ago and felt
just as able now as he was back then. Speaking from Queenstown yesterday, Martin Hawes said he was disappointed at
having to pull out of the climb due to illness but he was pleased for Scaife - "Paul is doing such an incredibly good
job up there, already at 19 peaks and probably as we speak going for the 20th."
20 October
Illness has forced Martin Hawes to abandon the climb but climbing partner Paul Scaife (pictured) has decided to continue
the 50 peak challenge on his own. This is a huge test for Scaife, requiring supreme concentration and mental toughness.
Expert mountaineer Mark Inglis said today, "if Scaife achieves the 50 peaks it will rank as the most significant
mountain climbing feat in New Zealand." So far, Scaife has knocked off 17 peaks and is on track to complete the
challenge in 3 weeks.