Mountains are definitely a metaphor of life ...

[Skinnyjonny]

I'm in remission with Polymyalgia Rheumatica and I'll be climbing one of the world's highest, remotest, coldest and deadliest mountains as the ultimate challenge. Annapurna IV (7525m / 24,700ft) is in the Nepal Himalayas and the expedition will take 30 days with technical climbing and four high camps above Base Camp. I'll be climbing for PMRGCAuk and will provide further information in due course

thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Oh well done you..fantastic!

[Hidden]

Good Luck Jonny 🍀 🏔 🧗🏻‍♂️

[jinasc]

At last.............I have been waiting for this day.

PMRGCAUK will benefit, now that the one you were in has closed.

I am now convinced you were meant to get PMR................hard at the time.......but just look at the past few years and think........................🌈🌈🌈

[fmkkm]

Wow, I’m in awe!! Please keep us posted.

Hope you’ll make a documentary after😎

[Cyclegirl54]

Wow, fantastic! Good luck !

[Baileyw06]

Good luck 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador]

All the best. Who are you climbing with?

[Skinnyjonny in reply to PMRpro]

One of my Fire and Ice team members plus five others with Adventure Peaks led by my very good friend Stu peacock (first Briton to climb Everest three times from the North side). We are setting-up all our own ropes and ladders, plus establishing the four high camps. Photographs should be awesome up there near the jet stream

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Skinnyjonny]

Will you post them anywhere? Just wondered if you were joining with any other group - like the ones from here in South Tyrol where everybody's aim appears to be to do a Himalyan peak!!!

[Mary63]

Fantastic news. I look forward to sponsoring you.

[Longtimer]

Wow, we will all be with you on your journey!...

[Oumaof2]

Well done you. . Good luck 🍀 Look forward to your updates....

All the very best Jonny ⛰️🏔️

[Pongo13]

Not long ago I skied down mountains but sadly no more. At the beginning of PMR just going to work felt like climbing the highest peak. Even now when I’m feeling a bit perky I am full of admiration at your ability even to consider such a task! Will I be sponsoring you? Yes of course! (Although I usually send a Cheque direct to the charity as I don’t do online). Let us know when you start collecting and all the very best of luck.

[Blearyeyed]

How amazing , please let us know the details so we can support you.

My cousin went and did the Everest expedition last year to mark his retirement , a dream of his ever since he climbed his first little mountain, I'm sure you will come back with as many wonderful memories as he did.

I just told him about your mission , and he was incredibly impressed that you were taking on this challenge after having a condition like ours. He wishes you all the best too.

He said , " May your travels be filled with an endless supply of socks and Vaseline!"

I'm sure you will understand what he means ??!

Onward and Upward Sherpa Tensing!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🙌

[Skinnyjonny in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you. I've dropped into Everest Base Camp on three occasions ... but no desire to climb Everest (far too busy). However, we have climbed five of the World's seven highest continental summits and been the nearest humans to the sun standing on our planet as well as many other challenges. We've donated over £140,000 to charities, through inspirational and motivational presentations, prior to getting PMR and will continue to raise awareness of PMR & GCA. Thank you for your kind words and support x

[Blearyeyed in reply to Skinnyjonny]

You are an inspiration , and give all of us young ( and old) activity junkies hope for a brighter future. Thank you for all your hard work x

[HeronNS]

Very best wishes for a fantastic experience. I have just been reading "A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush" by Eric Newby.

[Skinnyjonny in reply to HeronNS]

An excellent book. I have a large library of over 150 mountaineering and running books which I keep delving into. When I lost three stones (down to 8st) and in a wheelchair I listened to a lot of music and re-read many books ... thank-you for your support x

[SheffieldJane]

You seem to have been hit particularly hard by PMR. It is incredibly inspiring that you have achieved this level of fitness. Wishing you the best of luck with your latest challenge.

[Skinnyjonny in reply to SheffieldJane]

Working hard both mentally and physically in preparation for this extreme expedition. The main thing at high altitude will be physiological when the weather, 60mph winds and freezing cold (-35 degrees) starts to hinder progress towards the jet stream. Fingers crossed. Thank for your support x

[PMR_Triathlete]

Fantastic! As someone just starting out on this journey and really struggling with my loss of fitness and ability to do all the sport I love, this gives me a ray of sunshine and hope for the future. Best of luck

[Skinnyjonny in reply to PMR_Triathlete]

Invenium vium aut facium ... we'll fund a way, or make a way. Every small step on our journey to our individual summits is a step in the right direction. Thank you for your support x

[katiemills]

What an incredible challenge ! I wish you the best of luck and please tell us how to sponsor you .

[stellafmdm]

Last 'mountain' I climbed was a Munro in the highlands in 2010. No hope now even without PMR, I'm too old and getting more decrepit by the day!!! Good luck with your mountain though!!! 😊

[Skinnyjonny in reply to stellafmdm]

But we keep our memories and wonderful experiences. We've run the UK 3 Peaks fifteen times and I remember only a few years ago we ran up and down The Ben (Ben Nevis) in 2hrs 10mins. Last year my daughter did the UK 3 Peaks for the second time with me ... and climbed in the Atlas with me. Wonderful memories. Thank you for your support x

[Sandy1947]

Congrats🎉🎈💕👏! You are my hero! I am also in remission and thankfully, go to the gym every day! However, I still have some problems I acquired during my PMR period: agitation, sleep problems, concentration issues. Perhaps it’s just the aging process. I can no longer blame everything on Prednisone!

[bunnymom in reply to Sandy1947]

Good to hear from. Glad you are recovering. I figure it's another year to recover after pred is done. Well wishes.

[Sandy1947 in reply to bunnymom]

Thanks! I wonder if autoimmune illness ever totally goes away. I picture it lurking around if you’re not careful. A year is a reasonable amount of time to be sort of normal!

How are you?

[bunnymom in reply to Sandy1947]

Currently at 6.5. one day of 6 this week. Retirement has helped my quality of life. Still sick but much much better. It's is all very,very slow going. I imagine recovery will be as well. Glad you came out on the other side 🥀

[Skinnyjonny in reply to Sandy1947]

After 6 years in remission and having already returned to the Himalayas (2015/2017) and Atlas Mountains (2016/2018) plus the UK 3 Peaks four times during this period I managed my pains and ensured my steroids were on hand (just in case) but never needed. I feel as strong now as I did prior to 2013 when the PMR ravaged through my body and I'm a better person both mentally, emotionally and physically. Take care and best wishes. Thank you for your support x

[Gary1310 in reply to Skinnyjonny]

Wonderful news, just to know it is possible! I have 2 more months on Prednisone. I really do not care much for mountain climbing or any type of exercise. I just want to walk in the sunshine...drive to the beach, enjoy life.😎

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gary1310]

"I just want to walk in the sunshine...drive to the beach, enjoy life."

I do all those things and have done all the time of PMR though it is a lot easier when on pred - and above all, enough pred.

If you can't do that at the moment on the dose of pred you are on, I think you need to think hard about whether you are on enough pred. Management of PMR with pred isn't like a course of antibiotics with a start and finish date - you need enough pred for long enough to manage the symptoms. You get off pred successfully when the autoimmune part of PMR has burned out and is in remission. If you try before that point - all that will happen is that you end up back where you were at the start.

[Gary1310 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, I feel that I am getting better each day, now at 2 mg. Prednisone. I still feel need to rest through my day, a bit vulnerable in considering a 3 month trip to the beach,,, ( I drive3 days solo). I live in snow country so walking outdoors is not possible. I am terrified of ice..fell and broke pelvic.

I hope to continue to zero Prednisone. Will keep it close at hand for emergency.

[Noosat]

Wonderful !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Iloveholidays]

Oh wiw that sounds amazing! Good luck 🍀

[Vulcibadger]

Sounds so fantastic!

I was hiking around the base, valleys, of Annapurna in the late spring in 1967.

Gorgeous rhododendron trees in bloom.

I was just 30 then.

Have a great adventure!

[Skinnyjonny in reply to Vulcibadger]

I've been to the Himalayas and many other ranges over 30 times and always captivated by the indigenous people, the local customs, culture etc etc. I support the Nepal Youth Foundation based in Kathmandu and just love the Nepalese people. Two years ago when I was up Mera Peak and Island Peak I spent 10 days up the Hunggu Valley and didn't see another human! Fantastic experiences. Thank you for your support x

[Suet3942]

Good luck. ⛷⛷

[Lochy]

What an inspiration you are. Wishing you a successful and fun trip. Would love to sponsor you so let us know. Look forward to the photos.

[Clickangel]

I am new to this site and your story is so inspiring! Let me know how to sponsor!! Awesome!!