During the way up Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in England and Wales (it would’ve been the highest in Great Britain had Scotland gained Independence, just a side thought) there were at least 2 times when I thought I couldn’t go on. That I’d stupidly over-faced myself and that I’d have to turn back and trudge back to the car park, beaten, depressed, humiliated. That in reality if I couldn’t climb up this there was next to no hope of me getting to Everest Base Camp. I’ve learnt one thing about myself over the last 14 years – I am resilient. The clouds had drawn in and the summit, about another hour away, looked gloomy and distant. It had become cold and I was making mistakes, not concentrating, swearing and becoming increasingly angrier with myself. I do this. I go into self-hatred easily when I can’t do something, like run up a mountain anymore. Those days are gone. But I could and I would get to the bloody top on this day. So I did it.

The summit was unimpressive due to the fog, the bitter cold wind, the damp and all the other people there. There was no view. But I’d done it and I was elated. The next moments weren’t so good and as the adrenaline in my body subsided I realised I was in severe pain. The toes on my weak foot had been clawing all the way up and the exertion of getting to the top had caused the nails to rub on the skin of the next toe. I was in absolute agony and elation rapidly turned to despair when I realised I would have to get down. Every step I took was torture and so I sat down and took the boot off expecting to find a bloody mess of nail, chaffed skin an sock. Nothing. Just a bit of redness. I had to peel the offending bit of nail off and try to hobble down. It took 6 hours to get down, 2 more than it took to get up. I was destroyed. It was probably the single hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life, without sounding dramatic about it and it took me a full week to recover.

The title of this blog is a little misleading. I’m not exactly terrified (that word was used to get YOU to read this and possibly donate your hard earned money to my cause) more like confidently nervous. After Snowdon I’m convinced that I can get to Everest Base Camp but I’ll need to be in better shape both physically and mentally. In fact I’m convinced the mental side is more important. I think the most difficult thing about doing EBC will be the altitude but going slower could actually aid me with the acclimatisation.

Snowdon was a marker. Despite it being so arduous it proved to me that I am capable of walking 6+ hours per day over varying terrain. Now the real training starts, the mental side and the cardiovascular work to ensure that I can cope with hiking at 5000 metres. And of course making sure my toenails are short enough.

By doing Everest Base Camp I’m raising money for The Walton Centre Charity. It’s the only specialist neurological centre in the country and I was lucky enough to have been treated there after my head injury. Here’s the link to my fundraising page and please remember that no donation is too small and ALL money goes to The Walton Centre Charity. Currently I have 12% of my target of £1000.

Our charity benefits patients at The Walton Centre by providing extra equipment; facilities; research; and enhanced staff training. Our Home from Home Fund supports the provision of Relatives’ Accommodation for families whose loved ones are receiving lifesaving treatment at The Walton Centre.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Thomas-Walsh8

Thanks.