A very big THANK YOU to everyone who supported me with money and prayer.
The trek was long and challenging- 17.5km, 12 hours and 1300m ascent (although with 'downs' as well as 'ups' the total climb is 1700m). I was the oldest in a group of 9 which included a 17 year old boxer, a semi professional rugby player, a triathlete and 2 gym instructors. I was outclassed but I MADE IT!
Low cloud shrouded the mountains when we started from the Youth Hostel at sea level and climbed the first path. It was a steep ascent of 500m, known by the locals as 'heart-attack hill'. I survived and was judged fit enough by our guide to continue on the difficult route, rather than suffer the ignominy of being consigned to the tourist path. The cloud started to lift as we walked across a plateau and filled our bottles in the Burn, before the next big climb of 600m up the steep heather and boulder flanks of Carn Mor Dearg.The sun came out and we had magnificent views and a scary glimpse of the north face of Ben Nevis. From Carn Mor Dearg summit a long (2km) swooping knife edge ridge tested us mentally rather than physically. One slip would have seen us tumbling hundreds of metres. At the end of the ridge a steep 400m scramble up boulders took us to the summit of Ben Nevis in sunshine. It was 7 1/2 hours since we set off.
The descent took a us by surprise. Although there was a path, it was steep and slippery in places, especially when it started to rain. Knees and feet complained but we had an amazing sense of achievement, raised lots of money for a great cause and viewed scenery that most people only see in postcards. The pain and effort was definitely worth it.
Once again a big THANK YOU to everyone who generously supported me. If you haven't got around to it yet, it's not too late. So, please sponsor me now!
Deborah
