15 Peaks and Cuillin Ridge – James takes on the challenges for SHF

It is with great sadness that on behalf of his family we share with you the recent passing of James Cobb. We invite you to add your memories of James to our Wall of Reflection.

Somerville Heart Foundation Member James Cobb is undertaking two unique mountaineering challenges for both the adventure and the opportunity to raise funds for us.

Born with complex CHD, James has been through countless anaesthetics, chest infections, interventions, and open-heart surgery – it has been a journey with many challenges and positives.

James will undertake the 15 Peaks Direct – accessing the summits by rock climbing and Grade 3+ scrambling and the Cuillin Ridge Traverse – one of the most coveted mountaineering challenges in the British Isles, taking in 11 Munros and 16 other summits. Both of these would terrify most of us – he really is taking on an amazing challenge!

James explains the details of this challenge in terms of mountaineering with a modified Fontan circulation:

“…one side of my heart is ‘bypassed’ so blood flows directly to my lungs without the aid of a pump. The Fontan provides palliation shunting blood away from the usual pathway back to the heart on its return, but the limitations are that, with exertion, oxygen levels drop to levels where most people would need support, and cardiac output (the amount of reserve) is limited to less than half normal values”

To show your support for James and Somerville Heart Foundation please click here to go to his Just Giving Page