My Ben Nevis Challenge

I am not quite sure what I expected when Lou text me asking if I wanted to climb UKs highest mountain with her in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. It seemed like a good idea at the time, a challenge I really fancied attempting, and the CF Trust was the perfect charity to support with Lou's son being diagnosed with CF when he was two weeks old.

Months went by and I trained with my boyfriend, heading up and around the hills in the Yorkshire Dales and long walks in the countryside just outside of Leeds. The last month before the 'challenge' we didn't manage to get out to do any big walks due to time and other commitments, however I spent time in the gym working on my legs, building up strength for that long up-hill slog.

I had a few friends who had tackled the 'Ben' (as it is known locally and only by those who have reached the summit). I was assured it wasn't 'that steep', it was just a long hard slog (I should have known better than to trust fell runners opinions of steep!!).

The day arrived and we were both prepared, Lou had not managed to fit in much training, but running around after two small children all day long keeps her fit anyway. I had all my kit sorted and packed, my bag seemed a little heavy, but I was satisfied I needed it all. We were part of a large group (about 34 strong) organised by the CF Trust, all staying in a potting hotel in Forte William (I can only describe it as Fawlty Towers meets old an peoples home).

Due to the weather we set off a little later than planned (strong winds further up the 'hill' were due to settle later in the day). At 10.15am on Saturday 18th July 2009 we set off. The group ventured out together, steadily keeping pace with each other. There was a very light rain but it worked in our favour keeping us cool.

The first hour was a little surprising, slightly harder than we imagined negotiating the boulders and rock that formed the path. These rocks were purposely placed to conserve the path over the years. Lou found this first bit the hardest, but she soon found her comfort zone and moved past me where she remained a few feet ahead the entire ascent. The group had quickly dispersed by this point with everyone finding their own pace.

We quickly climbed and the half way point treated us to some fabulous views. This was where the path straightened out for a short time before heading on to the loose rocks and stones which formed the zig-zag path leading to the summit.

It was probably a little past half way and I started to feel it in the tops of my thighs, it was only a twinge but I knew I had a fair distance to go so popped some ibuprofen to fight off the pain that I knew was eventually going to arrive.

Once we were on the main zig-zag path, ascending slowly to the summit the view left us and we were surrounded by cloud. The light rain was getting marginally heavier and while we both had our waterproof jackets on we had not put our waterproof trousers on. I remember looking at my legs and wondering if I should quickly pull them over my lightweight walking trousers. They were already wet and it didn't seem like a good idea to trap the wetness in with another pair of trousers. We trudged on.

The ache in my thighs was starting to turn to a dull pain, every step was getting harder and harder and stepping over some the larger rocks was a struggle. I was grateful for the walking poles I had decided to pack at the last minute. We could not see the summit as the cloud had swallowed it. Every so often I could make out what appeared to be another small mount above us and I wondered how far we were off and how much longer it would be until we got there. I didn't dare ask people who were on their descent, as they looked at us with pity in their eyes, how far it was to go. I didn't want to know. I just kept going.

Lou and I spotted a small patch of snow ahead and we knew it couldn't be too far now. The rain had picked up, as had the wind. At the patch of snow we met one of our guides who assured us it was only another 5 to 10 minutes. This was a great relief. However this was now the hardest part, it was steep, the rocks were loose under foot, the wind was lashing against us and the rain was now torrential. All my clothes were wet and stuck to me, my upper body from sweat and my lower body from the rain and I was starting to get cold. That 5 to 10 minutes turned in to twenty!

This was my lowest point, about 200 meters from the summit, I think I was literally dragging myself up by my poles against the fierce weather conditions. I had to have a quiet word with myself as the rain disguised possible tears forming. No matter how hard I found it there was never a point where I wanted to give up or turn back, it wasn't worth it, I knew I would complete it no matter how hard it was.

Finally we reached the plateau of the summit to see various walkers dotted about and half of our group who had made it up before us. We headed over and got checked off by one of the guides, he asked us if we wanted to start the descent with the group. Lou and I both need a short rest and we knew we had to do something about our wet clothes.

Fortunately the rain had stopped at the summit, I actually think we were above the rain cloud, but we were both soaked. We made it over into the ruins and without a care in the world both of us quickly stripped off, giving fellow walkers a nice eyeful of our soden underwear and wet, blue naked skin! We need to get some dry clothes on and fast because it was mightily cold at the top and while the heat from our bodies kept us warm on the way up I knew the way down was going to be much colder. It was a real struggle negotiating show laces etc with fingers that were quickly going numb, hopping about on one foot while struggling getting trouser legs off over boots that wouldn't come off and dry, waterproof trousers back on. My t-shirt was soaked with my sweat so off that came and on went a dry, warm fleece followed by my waterproof jacket. I was desperately trying to get my numb fingers into my lovely warm ski gloves, this whole time attempting to eat half a cheese sandwich.

Once Lou and I were suitably covered up and a lot warmer we headed to the 'official summit' climbed the steps to the highest point, had a quick hug and headed down. It wasn't pleasant up there, we couldn't see any views and we weren't hanging about!

It was a great relief we had made it. Now we had the two to three hours hike down. We started our descent into the cloud, with it brought the lashing rain and wind again. It was so hard but were we moving at quite a pace, both desperate to get off the top, out of the cloud and into some drier weather. While we set off with a small group we soon found ourselves on our own, it was pleasant and Lou wasn't happy at this point. The cloud made it hard to see the path ahead and the ground underfoot was loose with rocks and pebbles which made us stumble and trip a lot with our tired legs.

The whole way down we didn't stop for a rest once. My legs were like jelly by this point and if it were not for my poles I fear I would have tripped and fallen off the mountain. I knew if we did stop, and indeed sit, I would probably not have made it up again. We flew past a lot of our group, making up for our slow ascent. We were both on a mission.

Once we had made it to the half way point and we were out of the cloud it was much better, we knew the path ahead, even better we could see the path ahead! However it still took just short of 2 and a half hours to make it down and off the 'hill'. Every step got harder and harder as our legs got more tired, with large rocks to negotiate with wet slippy boots.

It was a fantastic sense of relief once we were at the bottom. We headed into the pub for a quick drink before meeting the rest of our clan at the coach to head back to the hotel.

The aftermath... I am so please we did it. I loved it, no matter how challenging it I found it. My legs, two days later, are very painful, they are tender and stairs are extremely difficult to negotiate both up and down! I am a little disgruntled that I hurt so much even with my training and Lou has not suffered as much as me. I put this down to her being a couple of stone lighter with a lighter back-pack!! Who knows...!

Anyway it is done, we have raised £1,011 between the two of us for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and achieved a personal goal. I am happy and proud of us both and could not have wished to do it with a better walking companion.

Peace n love
Malibu x