On our way back down south on the train we were all awarded
with medals for completing the challenge. I didn’t feel like wearing mine as I wasn’t
feeling terribly proud of my efforts.
As the journey went on though I soon snapped out of this short
spell of gloom and began, with the other teams on board, to enjoy what we’d
done. Some would say this coincided with the bar on the train opening for the
first time but I couldn’t possibly comment.
We had an enjoyable trip back on the whole. There was a lot
of laughter and it reminded me of what had been good about this. The
camaraderie amongst teams had been great, the mountains had been challenging,
we’d all got soaked to our skin by disgusting weather but we’d all done it
together.
In the days that have followed I still feel sad that I only
made it to one summit, but immensely proud that I made it to the top of what I
think was the worst one, Snowdon in the pitch darkness. If you asked me whether
I would do it again I might say yes, providing I can climb all three in
daylight. I wouldn’t look forward to another stumble up a mountain at night and
in the driving rain.
I’m pleased I walked so far on the second day given my
knackered leg and the weather conditions, and I’m delighted that I got so far up
Ben Nevis. I would have been more disappointed had I not tried at all.
For some reason I have it in my head that people will judge
me for not doing what I set out to do, that it will confirm their suspicions
that I was incapable of it in the first place, but I know deep down that these
are my own insecurities coming to the fore. I almost feel guilty collecting the
sponsorship money for what turned out to be one peak and two half peaks.
However I hope everybody who sponsored me will appreciate
how hard it was and I challenge any doubters to have a go themselves in the
same conditions.
Anyway, enough of this wallowing in self-pity, regular
readers of my blog know that this isn’t me at all. If you’ve read each one of
these little missives from the mountains then thank you. They’ve sounded quite
serious but it’s hard to capture everything from the trip and throw in my usual
flippant remarks. Well OK, I’ve squeezed a few in.
So, it’s time for Terry’s final thoughts should you fancy
having a go at this next year……
·
Firstly, ensure you get on with the team around
you. I’ve concentrated so much on my own personal battles with these mountains
that I haven’t said too much about Neil, Adam and Alan. What I can say is they
were a great bunch of lads and we had such a laugh on the train. Those memories
will stick with me.
·
Make sure you have plenty of dry clothes on the
train. I really can’t stress enough how good it felt to get out of those
dripping wet clothes and into something dry.
·
Also, take a towel. Anyone who’s read The
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy will of course be aware of this advice already.
·
Take a headtorch with a bright light, the
brighter the better, if you’re climbing a mountain at night.
·
Don’t look down.
·
Don’t look up.
·
Make sure you use plenty of insect repellent on
Ben Nevis or, like me, you will still be scratching those midge bites for days
afterwards.
·
Always accept whisky from a stranger from Derby.
It’ll warm you up and your football club is probably doing better than his.
·
Don’t be modest. If you have to get stark
bollock naked in front of a carriage full of strangers (including women) then
so be it. It’s better than sitting in wet clothes and getting hypothermia.
·
Maybe don’t do the above when you’ve stopped at
a station. Commuters tend to stare.
·
Don’t try to climb a mountain dressed as Scooby
Doo, or any other cartoon character for that matter.
·
Don’t expect to get a bacon butty at the top of
Ben Nevis.
I think that’s all.
NEXT TIME: Normal service will be resumed.
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