Limbitless: Military resilience crucial for amputee veterans chasing world record
31 days of wild camping, altitudes of around 5,900m and temperatures as low as -25°C now face two Armed Forces veterans, living with below-knee amputations.
Former British Army Captain Rich Potter and RAF Corporal Rich Davies have credited the military for their resilience as they begin their attempt to conquer the Full Snowman Trek in Bhutan – dubbed the most difficult trek in the world.
"The physical and mental stuff, we believe the military has equipped us with that resilience to plough forward," Rich Potter told BFBS Forces News the night before the trek.
'Can-do attitude'
"We know that we have the can-do attitude, we are just going to keep going," he added.
Rich 'Dickie' Davies said he felt "excited, nervous, and a little bit anxious and apprehensive" ahead of their official start.
He added: "Absolutely looking forward to getting going, I think once we get day one done, it's just each day at a time."
The two close friends, who formed a strong family bond ever since their shared journey on Invictus Games (the international multi-sport event launched in 2014 by the Duke of Sussex), aim not just to complete it but also to set a world record as the first and fastest amputees.
Former RAF engineer Dickie lost his leg below the knee after a jet engine trailer crushed his foot, and ex-Army Captain Rich Potter lost his to sepsis.
In tackling this trek they want to "dispel the myth" and "change the narrative" on society's view of disabled people's abilities.
However, what Rich says is going to affect them the most is missing their families.
"We've only been gone for five nights, and we already miss them dearly," he said.
But, the pair remain resolute, and Rich added: "What can we do? we are here for a reason, it's a world record attempt, if it was easy everyone would do it.
"Please follow the journey, please donate, please share as much as you can, we look forward to seeing you in about 32 days... hopefully as world record holders."
After flying into Bhutan at the weekend, the pair have been acclimatising to the thinner air.
They enjoyed a 12km walk to the "wonderful" Tigers Nest Monastery, which was an approximately 760-metre elevation gain, and took them just under five hours.
But, in doing so they got to experience some traditional shrine rooms and even sample some traditional Bhutanese food.
After washing their stump socks – a task crucial to the pair to maintain their stump hygiene – they enjoyed some final luxuries: burgers, chips and, courtesy of their local guide, some of the unofficial Bhutanese national dish Ema Datshi (a spicy stew made with chilli peppers and cheese).
The veterans are going for the amputee world record attempt of the Full Snowman Trek and in the process are raising money for Blesma, the military limbless charity, and the Royal British Legion.
"Two incredible charities who have had a profound impact on our lives," said Rich Potter.
"If you can't donate, sharing is so important – let's raise awareness because this is so much bigger... this is trying to change society's perception of what disabled people can do."
You can follow their journey on Instagram and donate to their goal via their JustGiving page.
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