Today was the hardest day of all.

We were woken up and given a cup of coca tea to start and a bowl of warm water to freshen up with. Then an amazing breakfast of fresh fruit, porridge, toast, mini pancakes, juice, tea and coffee.

By 5:45am we on the trail, started at an elevation of 3300m/10829ft, we walked for a couple of hours and stopped for a snack and to check everyone's oxygen levels and heart rate as no turning back after this point. We climbed up to Dead Woman's Pass which was the highest elevation point on trek at 4250m/13779ft - legs felt like lead as was nearly all stone steps and some of the step heights were higher than my knees. Wondered if my lungs or heart were going to explode at some point, did not stop for longer than 2 deep breaths and to appreciate view a half dozen times as needed to maintain pace and to keep moving. I think stopping and sitting would have made it that much harder. Reached the top in just over an hour (2nd person in my group) and the sense of elation and achievement was as high as that mountain. High fives all around, everyone constantly encouraging everyone else.

2 of our porters were waving to me to come over as they waiting with hot coca tea, a snack and huge smiles - I love our porters!!! By the way they shuffled/jogged past us on the mountain while carrying their 25kg packs - these guys are beyond amazing.

Once everyone from our group made it and recuperated we trekked down the other side to an elevation of 3580m/11700ft. Lunch again was amazing.

Now to trek to our campsite, and there is mountain peaks all around, so off we go back up to 4000m/13123ft pass. Stopped at a ruin on way up but not long as did want my muscles cooling off too much. This time I was 1st to the top - just want to say here that outside of Nat the next closest in age to me was Devin who is 10 years younger than I, just saying. Now back down again to 3600m/11800ft at our campsite. On way down stopped at another ruin ?????? Which was beautiful as there were yellow flowers growing everywhere.

Half an hour later make campsite, and everyone is just stunned is maybe a good word. Sore and tired but we all just finished trekking 12km over 2 mountain peaks at 4000m+ elevations - we were superstars!!!!

"Legs of steel" almost failed me tonight, imagine hiking all that way then you have to squat at the call of Mother Nature - my quads quivered and burnt, thought they were about to fail me as I stood back up, lucky the desire to not end up in the hole in ground was greater than the pain and fatigue of my muscles - so close!!

Beautiful dinner again followed by apple tart for dessert. In tent by 9pm, sleep in tomorrow morning as don't have to be up until 630am.