Yep, I’m channelling Sound of Music. It has nothing to do with the climb, but it’s my favourite movie and I will be going on a sing-a-long tour in Salzburg after this adventure. I can’t wait! 🙂

As I continue to research about Mont Blanc and try to visualise myself on that climb, I will share with you what I find out and what I think it will be like. It will be interesting to see how this differs to the actual experience and when I reflect on this amazing adventure.

Have I done anything like this before?

Nope, never. I have never climbed a mountain this high, been at this altitude, used ice crampons or ice axes, weathered -10C or -25C, gone to the toilet on a mountain in freezing temperature and being roped up or take out insurance outside the normal travel insurance. There are a lot of unknowns for me on this journey, but that’s what excites me the most and I intend to prepare myself as much as I can to make it to the summit.

What’s my parents think about all of this?

Initially they freaked out and tried to convince me not to do it, but they came around. It’s been interesting to see how my mum and dad both come to terms with this in their own way. My dad left the room for a little while, came back and asked me to put together a will before I leave and he bugged me for weeks before I finally put one together. Mum on the other hand is more laid back, I know she is worried but she keeps it to herself.

After sending them an email with the details of my climb and what was involved; dad asked me take time off work and train as much as I can and mum wrote back “Very good, you can make it. Well done.” This is the first time ever that this has happened. In the past, I’ve always been met with a lot of resistance and questions when I challenge their ‘norm’, which I was always prepared for, but this time it was different. I guess the scale of what I am doing is far greater than anything I’ve done before and they know what could happen.

I love them both dearly and I will be taking them on this journey with me. Giving them comfort I will be well prepared and they have nothing to worry about.

What’s been the reaction so far?

It’s been a mixed bag.  Most of my friends think I’m crazy, but not surprised. The reaction on their faces when they read about my climb and what’s involved has been so amusing. I wish I took a photo of their reactions. It’s priceless. Others have been amazed and inspired. I have received so many beautiful messages “you are awe inspiring”, “wow, you’re amazing”, “we are blown away by your energy and commitment” (referring to my charity and climbing to inspire the children).

A couple of my friends showed me some National Geographic videos of Everest, hoping to freak me out and change my decision. It ended up working in reverse. The adventure and risk got me even more excited about the whole thing. I actually enjoy watching these types of videos to mentally prepare myself or the worse case scenario.

How did I decide how to train?

I decided to enlist help from the experts. One trainer has experience mountaineering and is preparing my muscles for endurance and the other trains me at altitude within an altitude training chamber.

Even though you don’t need to be really fit to climb Mont Blanc, I love to exercise anyway and am seriously training for this. Read about my training schedule here. I want to leave no stone unturned and have the best chance of reaching the summit. So much is riding on reaching the top in particular the opportunity that it presents for Aid Asia Initiative and our cause.

In a future blog I’ll reflect on what the journey has been like so far, what I have learnt along the way.