High altitude. Today is be frank... Was absolutely brutal!!!! We ascended 1200m in about 6km, that's the high of Ben Nevis but we started from camp at twice the height of it at 2700m Click click thud thud puff puff... Click click thud thud puff puff... Click click thud thud puff puff... That was my constant companion for the day, at 3000m it became Click click, thud thud, puff puff puff puff as the altitude kicked in and more oxygen was needed. The only way...

I thought my timing was perfect. It was early morning at camp and it was time to go. No you get me wrong, time to go! So I head to the camp toilet block, a square concrete with high space where you would think windows would go, a plastic Sheeted roof the home to most of the planets bug and insect population, and no doors. But it's ok guys and girls are separate, this is civilisation, exception the gap at the to of the wall! Ok if you are a short ass. Now this...

The Banya, It had been for days since I'd last had a shower, thank God for the miracle properties that enable merino wool mask body odour but there are limits! We had just walked 20km I the rain over the Otis range descending from over 3800m, I was hyperventilating as my body desperately tried to acclimatise to the altitude. I was covered in dark brown viscous mud head to toe, my boots were leaking and my knees aching from the downward assault. We arrived at...

The fellowship depart (you couldn't make this up!) A weapons advisor, a driving instructor and an RE teacher... After some foraging we retreated to our yurt to watch the raging storm, thunder echoing round the valley. The gentle pitta patta drops of rain on the felt roof outside layer a rhythmic reminder of our humble dwellings. The yurt reeks if damp, a hint of smoke (Martin) and animal. All that could be seen was the faint glow of Martins head torch through t...

Arrived into airport 8.15 am after sleepless flight. Feeling the 5hour time difference now... Checked into hotel after quick transfer from airport. So far life has included swimming by the pool, sampling local beer and fruitless flirting with the lovely blonde Russian hotel receptionist yulia. Also 12 hours left to work my charms before breakfast. It's very soviet here, whatever I mean by that, old burnt out vehicles but with a mass amount of building generat...