Only 28 Days to go before the big climb and there is so much to do before I go on leave. I have a back log of posts I want to write and a stack of photos to share, just not enough time to write it all.

So I’ve started this list so that I remember what I want to write about and think about when I’m climbing. Help keep me mentally occupied on that long journey to the top, so please let me know what you’d like to hear about after my climb. 🙂

Before the Climb

Below is a list of blogs I plan on writing when I’m on the flight, stop over in Hong Kong and when I’m relaxing in Chamonix before the climb. Then I’ll compare them with my actual experience.

• Why did I choose Mont Blanc?
• Basic things we take for granted – going to the bathroom, sleeping without showering, sleeping conditions
• What to take on the climb – clothes, protection, food

• What I have discovered and learnt about my body. Muscles, sweat, pain and healing.
• Type of training I did for mountaineering and altitude.
• Should I or shouldn’t I take Altitude Sickness tablets (forgot what they are called and it’s too cold to get up and find out). 🙂

• The power of sharing your journey. Why I started “Journey of Hikes” Facebook group.
• Being vulnerable and open to the unknown
• Amazing people I have met on this journey.
• Why do people climb mountains? What is the fascination?

After the Climb

Things to think about when I’m putting one foot in front of the other in freezing temperature.

• Read all posts before the climb and compare the differences.
• What did it feel like making it to the summit?

Leave a comment on anything you would like me to write about or even think about when I’m climbing up the mountain. What do you want to hear about after my climb? I can keep it in mind when I’m climbing. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of thinking time strolling up that mountain. 🙂

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.

Date: Sunday 20 July 2014

Time: 8:30am

Where: Berowa Waters, Sydney

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Training for Mont Blanc has given me so much already.

It allowed me to discover beautiful places around Sydney, given me the opportunity to reconnect with nature, myself and with new and old friends. Every week, we’re inviting someone new to the group who love to explore too. It’s all about having fun, encouraging each other, learning from one another and just enjoying the fresh air and nature.

It’s amazing what you find out about someone after 5 hours. You feel like you have always been friends, even though you might have only met that day. Our hikes have turned in to counselling, event planning, venting and brainstorming sessions. I am so grateful for their support and encouragement…even though they think I’m crazy. 🙂

Left to right: me , Trace (philosopher), Vickie (first time hiking), Tina (my second cousin) and Anna (from Poland and new to Sydney).

As part of my training program, I hike every weekend for at least 5 hours with a 8kg rucksack. My goal is to build up as much endurance in my legs as possible before I go. I prefer to hurt now than on the mountain.

We set out to complete the Oxfam Trail from Berowa Community Centre to Bobbin Head, met at Empire Marina Bobbin Head and took one car to the starting point. With my 65litre rucksack, I am now officially the sherpa. By the end of the hike, everyone is so tired we just want to go home and I always end up with a pile of jackets at my place!

Going along Benowie Walking track and the Great North Walk, there is a breath-taking view of the Berowa Creek. It was so peaceful, there was no sound of cars, boats or people (except for us) just the sound of nature. Gazing out in to the distance, I felt so lucky to have this so close by and couldn’t believe I hadn’t been out here before.

The trail was quite steep and there were plenty of stairs (perfect training)! My legs were burning, sweat was running off my forehead by the time we reach the top, but it felt good.

One of our new hikers had a sore knee and in an instant we all turned in to doctors. 🙂 We found her the best branch to use as a walking stick and slowed down the pace. I was so proud of her for making it to the end. She pushed through and had a lot of fun.

After 3 hours of hiking, we took a break and Anna pulled out a whole packet of cookies! Yummo! Exactly what we need at that time…well.. until half of them ended up in the pond (which I forgot to take a photo of). It’s funny what 3 hours of hiking does to you…

There was a moment on our hike where the clouds parted and the sun streamed through the trees. The bush around us was bathed in warm light. Without talking, we just stopped and soaked in the beams of light that filled the air. It was magical. As we got walking again, Tina summed it up beautifully…  “it feels like we’re in heaven.”

The moment of heaven. I am hopeful that Mont Blanc will be just as magical and kind to me in 6 weeks.

Schedule of the climb

What is involved in preparing for the climb?

Preparing my body for 6 days of mountaineering, walking on snow, narrow paths, ice climbing and axe training.

Fast facts, 4 months of training equates to

• 80 hours of strength and cardio training
• 40,000 steps, that’s just on the hikes
• Run 448 kilometres
• 1440 push ups (on my toes)

Train with experts

• 2 trainers are helping me prepare for the climb:
  • One specialises in mountain training, strength, core stability and endurance.
  • Other specialises in Altitude training. Preparing my body to handle the altitude.

My training schedule

Every morning I’m up at 5:30am and training by 6am.

Mental training and preparation

Visualising myself on the mountain and all the possible situations:

• Going to the toilet roped to 2 other people in the freezing temperature. There are toilets up there but I’m sure I’ll need to go in between. I’m looking forward to learning all about this.
• Vertigo, especially in the steep narrow snow capped paths with high winds
• Falling down the side of the mountain and using the axes to hold me up
• Handling weather of -10C to -25C, blizzards, rain and sun with minimal protection.

It’s a serious endeavour

• Situated on the border of France and Italy. It is the highest point in the Alps and European Union and ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence
• There are approx. 30 deaths on Mont Blanc every year. With 20,000 climbers that is a mortality rate of 0.15%.
• Local rescue services perform an average of 12 missions on the busy weekends.
• Global warming has begun to melt glaciers and cause avalanches on Mont Blanc, creating more dangerous climbing conditions.

Sharing this with my family, friends and work colleagues has really made the magnitude of this climb sink in. Even though it’s not Mount Everest, it’s going to be tough and I’m excited.

I’m excited about the unknown and discovering what the mountain has in store for me, I will be at their mercy but I am hopeful it will be beautiful. By the time I get there, I would have prepared my body, mind and spirit as much as I can. I can’t wait!