Wholesaler and foodservice distributor John Holland has had a few hills to climb since his eponymous business has grown into the largest of its kind in the North East.
But the challenges of business pale in comparison with the Herculean task he recently embarked on. In the next 20 months, Holland will complete the Seven Summits challenge, which will see him scale the world’s seven highest mountains.
He has already completed summit one, Elbrus in the Russian Caucasus, which stands proudly at 5,633 metres. He told FPJ that climbing Elbrus has left him under no illusions about the task ahead. “Mentally, physically and emotionally, it was the toughest thing I have ever done by a long way,” he said. “With the temperature at -30°C with the wind-chill factor, half a metre visibility and severe altitude sickness, the emotions are all intensified. I was terrified at times and definitely wondered whether I was going to die up there.
“I got a shock and it left more questions unanswered than answered. Your body takes a hammering day after day.”
Hardy Holland has not been put off though, and the schedule will now see him climb Aconcagua in Argentina (6,962m), Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (5,963m), Carstensz Pyramid, Indonesia (4,884m), Denali - Mount McKinley, Alaska (6,195m), Vinson Massif, Antarctica (4,897m) and finally Everest in Nepal/Tibet, which at 8,848m is the highest peak in the world.
Official records show that just 202 people - and only 26 Britons - have ever completed all seven, and certainly no Gateshead-based wholesalers. Holland is raising money for two worthy causes - Help for Heroes and a Meningitis charity.
