Laying the smackdown on 'Mount Death'

Former pro wrestler John Layfield flies to Argentina today (SATURDAY) to climb 'Mount Death' for Bermuda’s kids.

Mount Aconcagua in the Andes will be his third climb for the Beyond Rugby Bermuda programme he started along with The Family Centre.

Mr Layfield, who was the longest-reigning WWE champion when he wrestled under the pseudonym JBL, completed his ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa last October.

He is doing The Seven Summits Challenge — climbing the highest peak on every continent — to raise money for the Family Centre.

Kilimanjaro was the second peak attempted by the 45-year-old.

In June, he had to turn back when he was in sight of the top of Mount Elbrus because the weather was turning from bad to deadly.

He spoke to us from Texas yesterday (FRIDAY) afternoon just before heading to South America for the climb.

Bad weather

Mr Layfield is worried about the bad weather, but hopes he can make the climb.

“I feel great. I’m in great shape”, he said.

“I’m ready and I think I’ll have a good chance if the weather’s good.

“It’s been very poor this year. It's been terrible this whole year on the mountain so I’m hoping to get the chance.”

He continued: “We’ll be at 19,600 feet at our high camp and we’ll have enough provisions for three days.

“The last group through there had a weather window but didn’t make it past 20,000 feet. Hopefully we get lucky.

“It could’ve been the other way around, good weather all year and bad weather when we are there.”

Asked how his training is going, Mr Layfield said: “I feel I’m in good shape. I’m up to four hours on the stair climber.

“If we can make it with a good weather window, I’m in great shape. I feel good. I think I’ll make it.”

Mr Layfield flies to Santiago, Chili and then Mendoza, Argentina to climb Mount Aconcagua.

He and his six-member team plus the guides start climbing towards base camp on Tuesday.

“This time next week I’ll be at 14,000 feet in base camp then we start climbing.

“I’m scheduled to attempt it two weeks from Sunday.

“We can only carry so much food with us. We will have enough food for three days, that’s why we need to catch a good weather window.”

He said it would take about ten or 11 days to get from base camp to the high camp in order to climb to the summit.

One hundred percent of funds donated will go towards Mr Layfield’s Beyond Rugby programme.

For more information or to donate to the cause, visit www.sevensummitsforkids.com.