The countdown is on, 10 days to go, and I’m on the last part of my training regime. I have done the last walk in the Peak District (7 hours of it). Then I will have my last jog (1 hour), and my last 3 gym sessions (1.5 hours each), as well as my last physio appointment.
The boots need to be cleaned and then they need to be waterproofed, the pack needs to be stitched up (after some of the more rough excursions), the batteries need to be charged and the memory cards need to be wiped. The documents need to be copied and kept in a safe place. The US dollars need to be purchased. The medical supplies need to find a safe waterproof place to hide. The last of the washing needs to be done, and the poles need to be cleaned. The last of the dextrose food (high sugar) needs to be bought. The last of the kit needs to be tried out, in the comfort of my own home. The last of my parcels need to arrive in the post and then I need to pack everything into my bag.
Finally the cat needs to be fed then I’m off.
Adrenalin is high, nerves are tingling, and hopefully the rush will stay with me for the climb. The mountain that glitters is calling - rain, hail, wind, snow I will be there, there to experience what this enormous mountain offers, to admire the sunsets, the views, the hot African sun (my Piz Buin SPF 50 is packed) and basically have an extremely fun but extremely hardcore trip.