Most of the time it was relentless. Walking, walking, up up up. I just kept on telling myself 'one step at a time'.
The second day was hot. It was over 47 degrees c and we walked to over 970 metres. It was a long, long day.
I don't seem to be able to find the words to describe the journey. I can't really do it justice. At times it was quite emotional, at times it was just fabulous.
It was quite a big group, over 40 people. Most of the people were absolutely lovely. We had a group of Scottish ladies who were such fun and loved to sing and they were great to have around.
I hooked up with Stacey and Sophie most of the time and I think I will have 2 friends for life with them. They got me though some difficult moments, especially when I allowed myself to think about why I was doing the trek.
There was another person on the trek who was raising money for Huntington's Disease. I didn't know he was going to be there, it was a complete surprise! His name is Rick. Rick and I walked and talked one day for hours. He's never talked to anyone else with HD in their family before, only to professionals. His Mum has HD and he is at risk. He is an absolutely lovely, lovely guy and I'm so pleased he was with us. Meeting him was one of the highlights of the trip.
My body held out well and my training held me in good stead. Although one evening my legs and hips were killing me. It really worried me but Laura (a physiotherapist who was on the trek raising money) did her magic on my legs and hips after dinner. What she did was amazing, I had no problems after that at all, thank god!
Some people had trouble with vertigo on the wall. The height and narrowness of some of the paths made them freeze with fear. I was fine, but I can understand why they felt that way. There were times when I was a bit unsure myself. You just had to keep looking at your feet all the time.
Three times someone fell completely off the path. But there are so many trees that you wouldn't actually be able to fall too far, but you certainly could do yourself some serious damage.
The whole journey, from the start of the fundraising to the end of the trek, has been such an amazing experience for me and I have been overwhelmed by everyone's support.
Please look at my photos
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=113101&id=564591799&l=0e58d9f8db
9 comments:
Hi,
Congratulations on your trek!
I'm hoping to do the Great Wall of China trek next year for the British Heart Foundation so I thought I'd have a read of your blog for a few ideas. Mine is http://www.charitychinesewhispers.blogspot.com/ - I'm just about to book my place!
Well done for all your hard work
Heather
Thanks Heather. Good luck with the trek.! When are you going?
Just booked for May 2010 - soo nervous!!!
There's absolutely NOTHING to be nervous about Heather. Make sure you do some training (build up until you can do some good long walks)and you will be fine. It's all good and it's absolutely do-able. We had a 72 year old on our trek! Take poles with you though, you need them. Add me on facebook, we can talk there....
Hey, looks like I did the same as Heather. I'm doing it in September for Marie Curie and I'm somewhere between really excited and really nervous!
Congratulations on making it through and good luck to Heather.
Good luck Kirsti, hook up with Heather if you can on email or facebook, it helps to have the support. I've just signed up for Kilimanjaro. Now I AM nervous about that - the altitude mostly.
Best of luck to you both.
Love Deborah x
Thanks Deborah, I'll have a look for Heather. Kilimanjaro sounds amazing but not sure I could handle that at the moment!
Good luck x
I'm off to do a China trek for CLIC Sargent in April this year, it's approaching fast and so far I've been too caught up in training and fundraising to be excited - but your pics have changed all that! Congrats and thanks
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