As per my usual style, I’ve allowed life since returning from Kili to take over and keep me from providing this final entry on my journey. Given the backdrop of global pandemic crisis, I’m grateful for the time to sit and reflect on a different time and place.

Well I did it! A full week trekking through terrain ranging from rainforest to the surface of mars. It was easily the hardest thing I’ve ever done and yet somehow easier than I’d made it out to be in my head (glad it wasn’t the other way!). While undoubtedly the challenge has a strong physical element, it’s not like trying to lift a car. Really I would say the mental challenge was the strongest element. Pushing myself to continue to put one foot in front of the other, despite sleeping poorly and having put that foot in front of the other sooooooo many times before.

Having said that, Summit Day was just the most exhausting thing I’ve ever done. I can’t write my actual words here, but let’s just say that once I got back to camp I was questioning the wisdom of my decision to take part! A good night sleep though and if I was honest with myself I’d go as far as doing it again if the opportunity arose.

All of that is pretty predictable for the most part, but there were a few things that I really valued about the experience that I hadn’t necessarily expected.

Firstly, I got to know an eclectic group of people that I’d worked with for a number of years but in some cases had never even met. Being an international business, it was jarring at first and then amazing to be exposed to different cultural norms and ways of thinking. The opportunity to support and be supported by each other created a bond I wasn’t really prepared for. And exposes each other’s backstage self with few defences able to make it past the exhaustion. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I’ve seen a side to these people that few get to see and they of me.

Secondly, I have a new appreciation of the things I have and the hardships I have to face (very useful now that toilet roll is being rationed!). Tanzania is not a wealthy country and its people have to work so hard to get even a fraction of what we take for granted. Being surrounded by dozens of local guides and porters was humbling to say the least. They worked so much harder than we did (and in some cases this was the 10th trip that year for them!) and yet seemed to enjoy every minute of it (unlike a certain group of western hikers I know). The lesson of smiling in the face of adversity because the journey and the rewards at the end are worth it is a lesson that will stick with me for the rest of my life.

Finally, fundraising is really really hard! I am so thrilled that our team raised so much €33,000 is amazing! But it was sooo much harder than I expected. It’s given me a new appreciation for everyone who runs a marathon or sits outside a shop with a bucket for all the great causes that surround us. I suspect I’ll be opening my wallet more frequently now.

I think the last thing I’d like to say is a huge thank you to Autovista Group for giving me this opportunity, a month later and I’ve still not really distilled the experience. Also an equally big thanks to everyone that supported me whether it be emotionally or through donation. I’m so grateful to everyone that got involved.