On Friday I took on 1,085 metres of mountain, all in the name of charity. I got roped into it by members of themarketingteam at work a few months back and it seemed like a laugh initially – a good opportunity to get the whole team pulling together and inevitably drink too much the night before attempting our ascent. But as the day drew nearer and I heard tales of people who’d struggled with the mountain before I began to worry – I know it’s hardly Kilimanjaro but being as unfit as I am I knew it would take it out of me.
Anyway, it turns out I was ill the week the climb was scheduled. I could have got out of it then and there but I felt I had to honour my commitment to the climb, especially when so many of my lovely friends had spent their well earned cash sponsoring me. So I twisted Kev’s arm into keeping me company and we took off for the top.
After losing time on the M54, stuck behind swarms of indie kids crawling their way into the V Festival, we made it to the bottom of the Pyg Track, one of the steepest tracks to the top (Kev’s idea not mine – I was quite happy with the boring but less challenging Llanberis track). After half an hour’s climbing I was flagging, bright red with my heart pounding and I wondered if I’d make it at all. Luckily things levelled off slightly for a bit so I could get my breath back, but as we approached the top the wind picked up so much I was clinging to rocks for dear life and twisting my ankle with almost clockwork regularity.
Finally, after 2 hours 15 mins we scaled the ridge (wayhey) and reached the pinnacle. Hurrah! Only thing was we couldn’t see a damn thing for the clouds (in fact in the pictures we could be anywhere!) and the train to the top had just arrived which meant the holiday-making grannies were swarming to the highest point, elbowing us shattered climbers out of the way as they went. After a quick rest at the café (cue yet more granny elbowing) and some overpriced hot drinks we began our descent, which we completed in 1 hour 50 mins.
My hips and thighs have been aching ever since (who needs a crosstrainer) but it really was worth it. It’s a great achievement to have not only raised a joint total (with the rest of the team) of over £1,400 for Women’s Aid but it was a great personal achievement to reach the top – one more thing to cross off the ‘things to do before I turn 30’ list!
Thanks to everyone who’s sponsored us and if you haven’t done it yet it’s not too late – http://www.justgiving.com/midcounties-society-marketing. It’s for a great cause. Now, I have a well earned date with my sofa!
angiecranfield
