Well, i am now thoroughly knackered having climbed to the highest point in the UK! Here's my journey....
John (My best man) and i set off from my house at around 08:30 am on Friday 21st Oct, we picked up Karl the cameraman on route at about 08:45. Without further delay we journeyed north. Karl and John and Karl shared the driving as we followed the motorways, we were all a little excited about what was to come although John was a little under the weather with a head cold.
We got to Glasgow and John took over the driving to negotiate the winding highland roads, the scenery was aparently stunning and was definately something to appreciate. We had a couple of stops as Karl mounted his Go-Pro camera onto the car so that he could get some footage, he was a little nervous at the prospect of losing the kit, but his fears were unfounded as even the manic driving of John couldn't dis-lodge the camera.
We arrived at the Ben Nevis Inn at around 18:30 and after a bight to eat, we hit the sack for an early night and an early start in the morning.
We rose at 06:00 amd got ourselves prepared with plenty of energy food and water, dressed in wet weather gear, we set off on the approach to Ben Nevis. It was dark and the wind was blowing strong.
As we made our way up the approach, the rocks and ground proved to be challenging, i was feeling tired early on and i was already doubting the decision!
We finished the approach and turned into a big valley to start on Ben Nevis, as we did so we were hit by the 70-80 mph winds and rain that had been forecast! We quickly got balaclavas on, hoods up, heads down and pushed on up the mountain. It was soon after this that i raised my concerns to John, it was so windy and at times we were been blown about and almost of our feet. We agreed to push on and make a call in an hour.
The wind and rain persisted, but we had made some good time and were coming on to the last ascent going directly up as opposed to dog legging.
There was no turning back now, we had plenty of time left in the day and despite early tiredness, i was feeling a lot better. As we climbed we did get to a little snow and then i heard the sound of many voices, this was the signal that has greeted ne at the top of every peak and it the sound of fellow mountain climbers talking excitedly as they to have just completed a truly tough challenge!
We got to the top, took the obligatory photos, had a bite to eat and within 10 minutes were off back down.
The descent in many ways is far more challenging than the ascent, it really takes it's toll on my body as i try and find foot holds without slipping and by the time we were half way down, i was very tired physically and mentally.
All that said, we made it down, somewhat dirty, soaking wet and aching.
The hot shower and pint at the bar were a well deserved treat and we were all very chuffed with the result!
John and I have now climbed all 3 peaks, it has been a pleasure and a challenge and i owe a hell of a lot to John for his, support and guidance! Ben Nevis was tough, i still have a lot of training to do, so plenty more walks to do and i hope that we can do another training weekend before we get to Kili in Feb.
As always, i will keep you posted.
Paul
Monday 24 October 2011
Sunday 9 October 2011
Altitude Centre
So, on Friday, i visited the Altitude Centre in London. I wasn't sure to expect, but my expectations weren't massive, after all, how many people want to go somewhere where they simulate altitude! Well, we turned up at the Altitude Centre and were greeted by the consultant Matt. Matt showed me and Karl through to the office which cseemed to comprice one office with 3 desks, a sofa, chair and some equipment.
Matt was incredibly nice, as was the receptionist and i was reliably informed by Karl that the Marketing girl was top notch and also really nice!
Matt sat us down and explained what Altitude sickness was, the varying levels, the ifferences between mild, medium and accute were. They key piece of advise i took away here was the need to keep hydrated, this is not really my strong point, so i will need to get into the habit of drinking plenty of water over the coming months!
Matt then went on to do a blood pressure test and i apparently had low blood pressure and very low heart rate, bordering on dead i think, but Matt likened it to Lawrence Armstrong (Nice chap Mattt!).
We then moved on to the lung capacity test, this was a couple of tests, we had to blow into what seemed to me like one of the breathlizers that the cops use, deep breath, blow into the tube as hard as you can and as for long as you can, Karl won this test! We then went on to hold our breat, i felt like i was a little kid again, i hadn't held my breath for ages, Karl made it 43 seconds and i made it to 45!
The final bit of the consultation was to put a mask over your face which was attached to a machine, this essentially reduced the oxygen flowing into the mask and thus simulted altitude. We had a couple of goes, 1 at 3000m and one at 5000m, it wa odd, sat there doing nothing, I found myself needing to breat deeply, the trick was to breath in and out through your nose.
All in all, the overall results were positive and our bodies reaction to the reduced oxygen was spot on and was not alarming. There was no need for us to worry about future consultations and we were well placed to face the altitude on Kili!
Next, we were off to Action Challenge to pay the guys and gals there a visit. After being confronted by some bloke when we were leaving the altitude centre, we jumped in the car and were on our way. Sat Nav said 30 mins, London traffic saw us take 2 hours to travel 15 miles.... incredible!
Finally we arrived at Action Challenge and i can only describe the place as bloody marvellous. We were greeted by the owner Julian and he was a thoroughly nice chap with no airs and graces, genuine nice chap who clearly cared about people and also the adventures! A complete contract to the grumpy owner at the altitude centre who had no interest in hs and didn't even have the grace to say hello!
At the altitude, we talked, drank tea, had a laugh, did some interviews and filming and taled some more. There were about 15 people there, all really in to challenges nad adventure and the place had a great vibe about it. I left Action Challenge really pleased with my choice of organiser and with complete confidence in them and their ability to get me up Kili!
After that, 2 and 3/4 hours to get home, a journey that by alrights should have taken no more than 1.4 hours.
Saturday, ore me and Karl meeting 12 hours after we parted to go and pay Helen and Douglas House a visit. We spent a good 2 hours there, meeting a couple of the residents and talking to Jennifer Hudson and taking some footae of facilities in Douglas house, as always, i was blown away by the people and the work that they do at HDH, reminds me wha ti am raising money for!
Soo,all in all, a really great couple of days, next stop Ben Nevis in 2 weeks!
All the best
Paul
Matt was incredibly nice, as was the receptionist and i was reliably informed by Karl that the Marketing girl was top notch and also really nice!
Matt sat us down and explained what Altitude sickness was, the varying levels, the ifferences between mild, medium and accute were. They key piece of advise i took away here was the need to keep hydrated, this is not really my strong point, so i will need to get into the habit of drinking plenty of water over the coming months!
Matt then went on to do a blood pressure test and i apparently had low blood pressure and very low heart rate, bordering on dead i think, but Matt likened it to Lawrence Armstrong (Nice chap Mattt!).
We then moved on to the lung capacity test, this was a couple of tests, we had to blow into what seemed to me like one of the breathlizers that the cops use, deep breath, blow into the tube as hard as you can and as for long as you can, Karl won this test! We then went on to hold our breat, i felt like i was a little kid again, i hadn't held my breath for ages, Karl made it 43 seconds and i made it to 45!
The final bit of the consultation was to put a mask over your face which was attached to a machine, this essentially reduced the oxygen flowing into the mask and thus simulted altitude. We had a couple of goes, 1 at 3000m and one at 5000m, it wa odd, sat there doing nothing, I found myself needing to breat deeply, the trick was to breath in and out through your nose.
All in all, the overall results were positive and our bodies reaction to the reduced oxygen was spot on and was not alarming. There was no need for us to worry about future consultations and we were well placed to face the altitude on Kili!
Next, we were off to Action Challenge to pay the guys and gals there a visit. After being confronted by some bloke when we were leaving the altitude centre, we jumped in the car and were on our way. Sat Nav said 30 mins, London traffic saw us take 2 hours to travel 15 miles.... incredible!
Finally we arrived at Action Challenge and i can only describe the place as bloody marvellous. We were greeted by the owner Julian and he was a thoroughly nice chap with no airs and graces, genuine nice chap who clearly cared about people and also the adventures! A complete contract to the grumpy owner at the altitude centre who had no interest in hs and didn't even have the grace to say hello!
At the altitude, we talked, drank tea, had a laugh, did some interviews and filming and taled some more. There were about 15 people there, all really in to challenges nad adventure and the place had a great vibe about it. I left Action Challenge really pleased with my choice of organiser and with complete confidence in them and their ability to get me up Kili!
After that, 2 and 3/4 hours to get home, a journey that by alrights should have taken no more than 1.4 hours.
Saturday, ore me and Karl meeting 12 hours after we parted to go and pay Helen and Douglas House a visit. We spent a good 2 hours there, meeting a couple of the residents and talking to Jennifer Hudson and taking some footae of facilities in Douglas house, as always, i was blown away by the people and the work that they do at HDH, reminds me wha ti am raising money for!
Soo,all in all, a really great couple of days, next stop Ben Nevis in 2 weeks!
All the best
Paul
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