Content creator LordK tackles England’s tallest mountain to raise awareness for mental health!
Content creator LordK, also known as Darren Claringbold, has recently achieved a remarkable feat. Despite his health problems, chronic pain, and mental issues he successfully climbed England’s tallest mountain, Scafell Pike. LordK did this in an effort to raise awareness for mental health issues and show others that depression does not define them.
LordK, who suffers from depression linked to his pain, wanted to challenge himself and do something he didn’t think he would be able to do. He hopes to inspire others who suffer from depression and let them know that they can still achieve great things. His message is that depression should not hold us back from living a fulfilling life.
In the build-up to the climb, LordK lost 3 stone in weight and noticed an improvement in his pain levels. He aims to continue losing weight and getting in better shape. He has also noticed an improvement in his mental health as well. This is a message he wants to share with others who may be struggling with similar issues.
LordK has set his sights on a new challenge: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Despite his doubts about his ability to tackle the challenge, he wants to aim towards it. He believes that his doubt could be a result of his depression and anxiety. Overcoming this challenge would be a significant accomplishment for him.
LordK hopes to secure the funds to climb Mount Kilimanjaro next year and continue spreading his message of hope and inspiration to those who may be struggling with mental health issues. His determination and perseverance in the face of adversity is truly inspiring and serves as a reminder that we are capable of achieving great things, even in the face of difficult circumstances.
Watch LordK’s Vlog of his climb of Scafell Pike
We recently interviewed LordK
who conquered England’s tallest mountain despite chronic pain and mental health issues, and asked him about his climb.
Q: How did the climb go?
A: To start, I was in a very good mood, and I believed I could do this, but by the end, I wasn’t sure I would make it.
Q: Why is that?
A: The climb should have taken about 6 hours, but it took us 12. This is because of the weather; we had to walk over up to 6 feet of snow. This meant we had no path to follow and used our best judgment, which I learned isn’t to be trusted. By about the 4-hour mark, I had reached my pain tolerance. From there, the pain got worse and worse, and my fear was the pain getting so bad I would black out.
Q: How did it feel when you finally made it to the top?
A: To be honest, the achievement wasn’t getting to the top; it was the fact we could start making our way down. My vision was blurry, so I couldn’t see much. The last hour of the climb, I was in tears with the pain.
Q: How long was the climb up and down?
A: About 6 hours each way. I thought we would get down really quick, but again with no path to follow, we just guessed. There was nobody in sight the entire climb down; we were the last ones on the mountain. The last 3 hours, it was pitch black, we were falling a lot, and a blizzard started. It was so scary; my fight or flight overcame my pain. We eventually got off the mountain, but on the wrong side of the mountain. I was just happy to be on safe ground again. The pain, however, quickly returned on the hour-long walk back to the car.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit more about how this climb has helped you with your mental health?
A: Well, to be honest, the climb itself didn’t necessarily help with my mental health. The climb was more of a metaphor for me. By proving to myself that I could do something like this, I know that I can overcome any challenge that comes my way. It took me a lot of time and effort to get in shape for the climb, and I still have more weight to lose. But despite my depression trying to hold me back, I’m doing it. I’m sick of living inside this bubble that I made for myself.
I left my job, I lost a lot of friends and connections because I spent two years isolating myself from the world. But no more! I can overcome my depression. I’m not saying that this climb is helping me beat it, but it’s helping me manage it, and I hope to inspire others to make some changes to help them control their mental health issues and even help raise awareness for mental health
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: I want to thank my family, friends, and supporters online for always being there for me. They’re an amazing group of people who provide me with constant support, and I feel so lucky to have them in my life. I especially want to shout out my Brother David, Brother Michael, and Dad Steve for all their help, and my soon-to-be brother-in-law Steven, who’s tying the knot this Saturday to my sister Claire. Please give my congrats to the happy couple in your article, if you can.
It is evident that LordK encountered challenges during the climb, but despite the obstacles, he persisted with unwavering determination. We are immensely proud of his accomplishments and hope that his perseverance can serve as an inspiration to others. Additionally, we extend our warmest congratulations to Steven and Claire on their upcoming nuptials this Saturday.
Click here to view LordK’s GoFundMe page for his Kilimanjaro climb to raise awarness for mental health
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