How to describe the enormity of exhaustion and endeavour on summit night is going to be difficult. I will never know how I did it but I did! We left camp at 11pm. Beginning our ascent in a long procession, following in each other's footsteps, It was a sight to behold as a long snaked formation of trekkers wound their way up the mountain lit only by head torches. I kept up with everyone for a while but began falling back as my pace slowed. It got colder and colder. I was so cold that all of the water I was carrying froze and when I spoke my words were unclear and my face and eyes hurt so much from the freezing wind. The sun rose in the morning without much attention from me as I was so exhausted and cold but it was some help being able to remove the head torch and see the summit ahead. Jess and the doctor were behind me so I knew I was the last in our group. Jess was really suffering from the altitude. I looked up wondering how on earth I was going to summon the energy to climb the final stretch, but Marrow our guide was determined to get me there, telling me over and over again 'poley - poley' taking my arm and hauling me over large rocks and waiting patiently when I faltered and needed to rest. I was running on empty and the final ascent seemed to go on forever. I felt desperate and totally exhausted and was convinced I wouldn't make it - but I did, I think Marrow must have dragged me over the last few yards. Jess declared 'you've done it' and I just collapsed on the ground and burst into tears. I was pleased to catch sight of Phil, but that was a brief encounter as he was very disorientated and collapsed in front of me. A decision was made to get him down to a lower altitude as quickly as possible. It was 9am when I finally summited, the sun was shining and the views over the glaciers were absolutely stunning. It had taken me 10 hrs. This meant that I was considerably behind everyone else and a decision was taken that two guides would take me down via a short-cut. I had no idea just what this would entail but I soon found out. They each took me by the arm and supporting me they began to run down the scree slope and just kept on going with me between them. I didn't think I had any energy left but we kept on descending for 2.1/2 hrs. Jess had gone on ahead and I had the doctor for company. It was a very hairy experience especially as it started to snow half way down. When we finally reached camp we had to immediately continue to the next camp. By the time we reached Millennium Camp I had been walking for 15 hours. Needless to say I staggered into camp and collapsed into my tent, wet through from the snow and exhausted, but happy in the knowledge that I had achieved my goal and I only had one more night to endure in the tent and the cold!
