Together, we were the difference!!!!
Wow…… We nailed it and we are still in shock!!
2nd May 2014 all trekkers were quietly apprehensive about the task that lay ahead. We were all conscious that we needed to take in a quantity of food that would support us the following morning. Some decided that they would like to eat in the restaurant attached to the hotel. Some decided that whilst they were in Scotland they would taste the local delicacies……. I opted for good old fish ‘n’ chips.
Bellies full, it was time for a pint or two and a couple of whiskies. It would be rude not too, right? This was followed by an early night. We needed to be up and ready for breakfast at 6am and start the climb at 7am.
And so the morning arrived……..Eek!!! All the blood, sweat and tears (or so we thought) had finally come to an end. All we needed to do now was to get to the top, do the CPR and get back down again. Piece of cake…. Everyone was in high spirits and so the trek began.
At around 08:40, we meet two men coming in the opposite direction. I just had to ask if they had given up or had been to the summit. They informed us that they had already been to the summit. Cor Blimey…….what time did you start? They informed us that they had been up and got this far down in a little over 4 hours, starting at 04:30.
4 hours!!!!! Great, we’ll make it up and down and be home in time to shower and to make the restaurant booking at 19:30!!! With this in mind, we were motivated and determined. Little did anyone of us know, just how bloody hard this would be!!
Mother Nature was really kind to us at the start of the day. Probably too kind, as we had all dressed for the cold that would be awaiting us on the summit. Layers started to come off, with many of us walking in tee shirts. The sun cream also made an appearance as the sun continued to shine. A rest break was in order. We needed to ensure that the food and fluid intake was enough to sustain us through to the next stage. There was a general consensus among the group that there was no benefit to looking up at what was ahead of us. Instead, we looked at our feet, dug in and got on with the task at hand. One step at a time was the only way; certainly, I would get to the top.
The obligatory selfies and photos were taken throughout the, what seemed like a never ending path. A little light refreshment was just around the corner! A fantastic, fast flowing waterfall……. Sun shining, freezing cold, delicious water to help with the rehydration. Another boost for the team.
From the very start of the planning, we were informed that once we had reached a section of shale, the summit was, just around the corner………Liar, Liar, your bum’s on fire. Now I know why we were told that. Following the shale, ensued lots of the white stuff. Far too much for my liking. This next section took us almost two hours to get across. There were several times that I decided that I was not carrying on. And the snow was one of them. I could not see the summit for the clouds. Every single fibre of my body was screaming and my tears were freezing, so I couldn’t even vent my emotions silently. After a few stern words were not too politely conveyed to me, I dug in and chanted one step at a time……
Only this time, I was looking at where I was going. The summit could not come quick enough. As I looked around the group, smiles began to erupt……We had made it! We had only gone and walked/climbed/trekked the highest peak in the UK. Period!!!!
Hugs, tears, handshakes, cigars and a wee dram (to warm us up of course) before we stripped the layers off again, redressed in green shirts and commenced the 4 minute round of CPR. Now that was hard. The cold started to quickly set in. Just time for a bite to eat before we set off to start the descent and make the restaurant booking.
We were all keen to make it down in one piece and it was clear that some were more able bodied to get them down quicker than others. This was fine and had been previously discussed. We had charge in our phones and were able to get a signal on and off, so if required, could get help. So the original group separated into two smaller groups, each with their own suitable pace. Tiredness soon moved over for exhaustion.
Mother Nature decided to test our resilience a little more. You failed Mother Nature! What’s a little bit of rain? Dangerous, that’s what.
The pace slowed down further due to the slippery conditions of the path. As the light failed, the nerves, for me anyway set in. One of the walkers lost all the strength in his legs and crumpled to a heap in front of my eyes……What? How? So many questions racing through my mind. What should I do? He needs help. He’s exhausted. Shall I call in the rescuers? What would I want someone to do if I was this team member? I called some of the others but unfortunately there wasn’t any signal. Typical, when you need it. So, I sent a text message to the others, asking if there was anyone who was able to turn back and support us.
So, I decided that I would encourage and motivate him to, in his own time do this, one step at a time……. It worked for me, why wouldn’t it work for others. I also decided that we would have to leave Annie on the side of the mountain. There was no other option……
We took one step at time. One of the others had received the text and felt strong enough to come back up and support a colleague who needed it. With a head torch, lots of encouragement and a great deal of team work, we got to the bottom.
We had done it!! We had nailed Ben Nevis!! Mother Nature – eat my shorts……you couldn’t break us!!
Kylie Brennan, Taylor Bushell, Paul Smallwood, Andrew Gillman, Rachel Tomlinson, Adam Aston, Scott Tyler and Craig Thompson – what a team. It was a privilige
My fellow organiser – Craig Thompson – Thank you so much for putting up with my tantrems from the very beginning right through to finish of this challenge.
A massive thanks for all who have supported us to complete this, ickuding evryone who has sponsored us.
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Thanks for visiting our team fundraising page.
We've joined together to raise money for charity. You'll see our team fundraising target on the right. Your donation can really help us smash this goal.
We believe that it’s absolutely unacceptable that so many people die needlessly – because no one could give them first aid when they needed it.
Everyone who needs it should receive first aid from those around them. No one should suffer for the lack of trained first aiders.
Buckland's End Adult Unit will be undertaking a very ambitious climb up Ben Nevis to raise awareness of the importance of first aid training.
The climb will be documented with the use of outdoor HD recording equipment attached to the main climbers and stills taken on the day by support.
Our aim is to raise in excess £5000 for SJA. Please show your support and together we can "be the difference".
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