We made it – all of us! To our summit base camp. We left in the pouring rain, it turned to snow and just didn’t stop. Heads down like a trail of ants we just plodded on. Various feelings of altitude sickness across our team – but we slowly plodded on through the strange alpine desert. At first flowers and some sparse plants but then that all disappeared to a strange moonscape. Breaks were short – it was way too wet and cold to linger long – and loo breaks are not very nice for the ladies. We were elated to reach camp. How our porters got this all here and put our tents up so that they were dry inside, lord only knows.

Jan, with his huge heart, unpacked Martin’s bags and set his bed and sleeping bag out as he was struggling with altitude headaches and just needed to lie down. Sonja was soaked through to the skin having found out her waterproofs were not so waterproof. But we were all elated to have reached this far. There are actual ‘huts’ at Kibo and so we are not alone for the first time. We are of course in tents as normal. I feel sick and cannot eat – a whole new experience for me! But enjoyed a hot cup of before getting into my sleeping bag for the rest of the afternoon. Not sure if I will be able to eat dinner but look forward to sitting round the table with everyone however sick I feel.

Not being able to talk much gives lots of time to think. I’m feeling so very lucky to be part of this adventure with this team – we are all looking out for each other. I slept a bit last night following a donation of an emergency silver blanket from Keris – to stop the ground cold coming up – the watch from Jan so I can check the time in the in the wasteful hours – and advice from Simon on wearing too many clothes in my sleeping bag!

But when my adventure is over, I know how lucky I am to be going home to a family that I love – close and extended – including Scampy the dog. Lots of great friends and a life that I really enjoy. How lucky am I! Sometimes having time to reflect is good!