Speaking from the top of the 24th peak on Wednesday (29/10), Scaife said he had picked up a bug that was slowing him down but he was determined to forge on, aiming to top the 25thpeak later that day.

Queenstown business author and Save the Children President Martin Hawes, who was forced to abandon the quest after 5 peaks due to a bad virus, said today that Scaife was determined not to give up, despite illness and bitterly cold weather.

“Paul is showing what a brilliant and determined mountaineer he is by carrying on alone.

“If he achieves the 50 peaks it will be one of the greatest achievements in New Zealand mountaineering."

Hawes said today that Scaife’s quest had become a race against the weather, with difficult climbing conditions forecast for the next few weeks.

ENDS
For more information contact Save the Children on 04 385 6847.