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I did it!!!  I walked to the 'roof-of-Britain', survived it and I live to tell the tale!!  On 26th September 2009 I completed the moutain trek up Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain!  Although I am now officially allowed to call it the 'Ben'!  And it was worth every step of the way!  My huge thanks to everyone who has donated, I and Aurora Health Foundation gratefully appreciate your support.

On the eve of the trek I was very excited and I found it hard to sleep as I just couldn't wait to be on the mountain.  But what also didn't help my sleep was that how quiet it was in Fort William and I could hear every little sound.  So the next morning I started the ascend at 7:00am after just a few hours of light sleep.  The first third of the mountain ascend was the toughest as it was the steepest but clear dry weather conditions helped, though there was the odd light drizzle.  As I reached the half way up the mountain, I stopped at the 'Red Burn Waterfall' to have lunch at 9:45am!  and taking in the most beautiful scenery around me. After lunch I countinued the ascend and not long after the waterfall I could feel the cold coming in and then I was unable to see the rest of the mountain above me as I was greeted by thick clouds. 

It became quite cold, wet and windy and at times the wind was trying its best to blow me over but I continued the ascent determind to make it to the summit; the cause for which I was doing the event was not far from my mind.  I reached the summit at 12:30pm and a great sense of achievement came over me and I have to say it was quite an emotional moment for me.  The conditions at the summit were cloudy, winds at 10mph in the South direction, temperature was 5c and the windchill was -5c.  Unfortunately, there was only slight glimpses of the sun trying to push its way through the clouds but not enough to get those spectecular views of the Western Isles of Scotland. 

After celebratory photographs of reaching the summit, I started to descend down to the base of the mountain which took me another 4 hours as I kept stopping to admire the amazing scenery around me.  Walking down the mountain was a challenge on its own, as it was quite slippery especially where it was wet and I had already walked 5 hours.  I am pleased to say that my training paid off as I managed to complete this challenge without any blisters or bruises.  I was jumping with joy as I reached the base of the mountain and it felt amazing to have done this trek not only for myself but for Aurora Health Foundation.

Aurora Health Foundation supports adult survivors of childhood abuse and trauma and their partners.  You can still donate and help raise vital funds for the ongoing remarkable work taking place at Aurora Health Foundation.

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Any donation will be gratefully appreciated. Every little helps.

Best Wishes

Maliha