All weather training

Second week of Nepal training and we ticked off 'cold and wet' from our list of all weather training.

We drove out to Stanage Edge, just near Hathersage with high hopes of a sunny afternoon. When we got there, it was freezing cold and windy... but dry. Heavy grey clouds threatened rain but we hoped we might get away with it.

There was a nice steep hill to climb and plenty of boulders to scramble around on. The climbers were out in force. I watched for a while as I pulled myself up the incline, feeling my chest tighten all the way (I hope I get past that or I'll be useless at altitude!) I'm not quite sure what they get out of it - for a start, it must knacker your finger nails, but aside from that you always have your back to the nice view!

The view is much better from the top!

Maddie and I had a climb around through some of the boulders to check out the view on the other side. Maddie seemed more interested in whatever she could see below... probably a sheep.

We got about an hour of dry before the wind started blowing in the big dark clouds, the sky started to sink and the rain started.

We tried to carry on for a while but in the end, it was just to wet and the cold wind was nipping at our noses so we decided to head back down to the car. As we got back down to the bottom, one last look back up the hill showed the fine mist of rain on the wind that we had just walked out of.

Better weather next week? Let's hope so!

A new adventure

The older I get and the more I travel, the worse I suffer from post holiday blues.

I mean really, I'm miserable when I get home! It used to last a few days, maybe a week, but the more I see of the world, the hungrier I am to see more and the longer that feeling lasts. This every day life of mine seems to have no lustre, no excitement. I want the adventure, the adrenaline of being in a strange place, surrounded by people who don't know me and don't speak my language.

The only way I've found to ease that feeling is to plan the next trip. Each one more exciting than the last. Each one, more of a challenge to my body and my mind. A cultural explosion. A shock to the senses. A memory to last a life time.

So, for my next trip I have chosen to go to Nepal... to trek to Everest Base Camp... with four men!

Why four men? Well, it would be unfair to expect one man to carry my bags wouldn't it? This way they can take it in turns.

It's going to take a lot of planning and a heck of a lot of training but when I get to that 17,500 ft point and breathe in the thin air, my lungs almost at the point of collapse, I will know that I can do anything! There is a lot of things we need to get right - the bag, the footwear, the clothes, the route... any one of these things could ruin our trip if we choose wrong.

We will need to practice hill walking, in all weather.

And so I started this weekend, with a trip to Mam Tor. Barely a mountain, described as a hill on Wikipedia... it felt like a bloody mountain to me! It's 1,696ft high (not a fraction of Everest, and without the altitude sickness!) and right in the heart of Derbyshire.

The views from bottom to top were amazing. It was a perfect day for walking - warm and sunny with a cool breeze to keep you dry and comfortable.

My new boots kept my feet blister free and without sprained ankles. I am impressed. I should be, the price I paid!

The heather in the distance topped the hills with a lovely purple glow and seemed even to reflect its hue into the clouds above.

Even Maddie enjoyed the view!

I will document all of my planning, walks and all, right here so keep watching - Travelling Kat is back in business!