The first casualty..

In what may be the first casualty of the expedition. Damian Carruthers has torn his left meniscus while executing a flying multi-directional cossack kick during grading for his first dan.

Some call it beyond the call of duty, but he is now preparing his mind and body to spend the next week in the hypobaric chamber just to be ready for the adventure. 'overnighting in an ice cave on Mt Kosciusko will be like a night in heaven compared to a week in the chamber' Grasshopper stated

Training Regime

First weekend of training will not see an easing into the regime, but rather facing head on the arduous conditions that will be experienced on the mountain.

Saturday night will be spent with the air-conditioning turned ALL THE WAY DOWN!

The fluffy woollen mattress cover will be REMOVED ENTIRELY!

The car will be parked UP THE TOP OF THE DRIVEWAY, rather than in the carport.

The call goes out..

For this suburban bunch of middle aged family men its all about reclaiming what is instinctively theirs. It is about survival. It is about MAN against the elements.

The call goes out - a journey to Australia's two highest peaks. Living off the bounty of the land, taking shelter between the rocks and ice, rediscovering what it means to be a Man in the wilderness.

The rules - no women, and no mentioning Brokeback Mountain.

The first task for a Man - get the weekend pass organised with the wife or girlfriend.