I’m going to concur my own mountain...

Day One

Mixed emotions today as I set off to the other side of the world to the Himalayas, I feel a huge sense of guilt as my wife and kids aren’t with me. It’s the first time I have ever travelled on my own. Still not sure what to call it yet. Holiday? Nah. Let’s just stick with trip!

At the airport I finally got meet everyone that’s coming along for the ride! Seem like great guys! Seems like we all might have something in common…I even made friends with a monk at the airport!

Day Two

Arrived in Nepal. My first impression is that Kathmandu is full of life and so friendly, Absolutely crazy roads. So many smiles... we were lucky enough to have the Maldives international football team staying in our hotel. My love of football meant I made a new friend in the manager ‘Pater Segat .....he invited us all to the game today at the Asia games. Think he might want the Brighton job as he took my number and said he will call me next time he’s in England. We got on really well talking about family stuff. To be fair to the Maldives, we’re a good side.

Day Three

OMG early start at 04:00. We flew into Lukla airport (2860m) today from Kathmandu. For those of you that don’t know it’s the most dangerous flight in the world…and yes, it was terrifying! Even the lovely air stewardess told me that the last crash was just over 6 months ago and no one survived. Thought she was joking! Turns out it’s true after a goggle search. Eek!

Views from the tiny plane were incredible, this is the first time you get a sense of scale of the huge mysterious mountains. The tips covered with ice and snow glowing in the morning sun. It was truly breathtaking. The landing was ridiculous, we pretty much nose-dived onto a rock and landed on a short, uphill runway. Scary! It was freezing once off the plane (-4), couldn’t get my gloves on fast enough.

We then trekked for 4 hours to a small village called Phakding. This was my first experience the Himalayas has to offer. The landscape and shadows forever changing. It was amazing!

Day four

The next day we set off to a Monjo. This was a tough climb that has many high bridges that overlooked some loud and powerful electric blue rivers. When I look at the river it reminds me that life is forever changing and moving in different directions, you just have to go with the flow, otherwise you’ll be flighting against the current.

The views today were deeply beautiful, healing, life changing. Nothing is hidden. These moments will stay with me for a lifetime and shape my life.

Once we arrived at our digs we talked about why we are here with each other. This was the first time that I had to open up and talk about the last 18 months of the cancer journey that has hit my lovely family. I found this very emotional as I told them that I have been struggling, and just needed a break from the rat race. I needed this trip to reset and invest in my own health. This is something we must all do all the time. Not just when you’re struggling, but everyday.

I then told them about Wolo foundation the charity my wife and I have set up, which made me feel a real sense of pride. We discussed the fact we turned a really terrible time into a positive. I told them about what we have been doing and our vision for Wolo in the future. It gave me a real sense of pride.

Off to Namche (3500m) tomorrow on day long trek...

I’m going to climb my own mountain.…