This morning I awoke wondering if this was the day I was to climb Mont Blanc. Even though I summitted last Thursday 9 July I still have this recurring feeling between slumber and wakefulness that today is D-Day. That's the power of the mountain. It bores into your subconscious and nestles there rising up to surprise you when you least expect it.

It was a pipe dream to climb the highest peak in the Alps when I listened to my late sister Ann and my friend Helen swapping stories about all the mountains they had conquered and were yet to conquer. It was on Ann's to do list several years ago but other commitments got in the way. In June 2013 she was diagnosed with lung cancer and finall

y succumbed to her illness in September 2014. She never did fulfill her dream, so when my friend Helen told me that she was going to revisit Mont Blanc and take care of unfinished business, it was like a light was switched on. Helen had attempted the summit several years ago and, with only 500m to go had to turn back because of strong winds. I was going to climb Mont Blanc firstly for Ann and secondly for myself.

Life has been a lot more interesting since I met Helen several years ago. She brings me out of my comfort zone and is always suggesting new challenges. One lesson i've learned since Ann passed is that you only get one shot at this life so make the most of it.

We travelled to Chamonix on Saturday 4th July where we met up with 5 other inspirational team members. Rene is an adventurer who has travelled all over this planet. He has recently returned from a kayaking holiday in the Antarctic. Chris is a Welsh man with a dazzling smile based in Bangkok where he runs his own successful finance company. Russell is teacher and loving father to Edward. Any historical fact you wanted to know, Russell was your man. Then there's Jason, the cool, cucumber eating helicopter pilot. And finally Dr Evie the baby of the group. She went straight from the summit of Mt Blanc to the dizzy heights of The Eiger!

Our lead guide was Jerome. Lean, not mean, a too-cool-for-school type of dude who oozed confidence when it came to mountaineering.. He was friendly, encouraging and kind, yet firm when it was necessary.

In preparation for Mt Blanc and to acclimatise to the altitude, we prepared to climb Gran Paradiso. Enrique accompanied us. He was as equally competent and encouraging as Jerome.This trek was excellent preparation, as we got used to climbing at high altitude and got familiar with using crampons, ice axes and walking roped-up. Another day of acclimatisation followed then D-Day was here at last.

Myself and Helen were paired-up and then we met Fleur. What can I say about Fleur? Well, she had all the qualities that you would want to find in someone you were entrusting your life with. Like Jerome and Enrique she was friendly, supportive and very encouraging. Handsome Damien also joined us as an additional guide.

On the eve of the summit attempt, Jerome gave us a heart to heart about our limitations and the factors which were against us. The weather was exceptionally warm so the crossing along the Grand Couloir would be hazardous and strong winds were forecast. It seemed like reaching the summit was a pipe dream after all! And so with a heavy dose of reality we climbed to the Tete Rousse hut where we attempted to get some sleep.

At 3am, with head torches secured to our helmets we set off to cross the elusive Grand Couloir Ridge. Although it's only a 2-3min fast walk, it's not called 'The Gauntlet' for nothing! Your brain is on high alert and your heart is racing. The aim is to get across avoiding falling rocks which are dislodged by the rising sun melting the ice which secures
them. Other climbers are watchful and will shout out if they see any danger.

Thankfully we made it safely across and began the scramble up to the Gouter Hut. After a rest we were again reminded that a summit attempt may be unsuccessful due to the weather. But at 10am we were told to get ready and so we began our ascent in earnest.

If you've ever cycled up a long, steep relentless, unforgiving hill then that's how I'd describe the journey. Each time I looked up the summit just kept getting further away so I stopped looking up. I battled with the effort. The muscle burn in my legs was painful, my heart rate was maxing out, my breathing was laboured and my head was saying,"Why are you putting yourself through this punishment?" Each time I faltered, there were shouts of encouragement from either Helen or Fleur which kept me going. I got a new lease of life when the terrain got narrower and I recognised the Bosses Ridge, a narrow, steep stretch with precipices plummeting downwards on either side. When the gradient flattened out I knew we were almost there. But why was Fleur not stopping? There must have been a slight incline because moments later she turned and shouted, "This is it! We've reached the summit!" There on top of the world all 3 of us hugged and congratulated ourselves. I cried for Ann and for Dad with satisfied relief. We made our way down from the ridge where the wind was less and sat atop the mountain to admire the baby blue sky above us, and the marshmallowy clouds and jagged peaks of the neighbouring mountains below us. Our peaceful reverie was disturbed by shouts of joy as we looked around to see Chris, Rene and Enrique enjoying their accomplishment. Photos and congratulations were exchanged before we started back.

The journey back to the Gouter Hut was easy-peasy as we were buoyed up by our achievement. At the hut the obligatory beer was consumed along with a hearty meal and a much deserved rest.. It was another 4am start as we scrambled down the mountain towards the roulette of the Grand Couloir. Again it was a hairy 3 minutes of cramponed snow trekking and finally rejoicement when we reached the safe side. From there it was a companionable walk down towards Les Houches where we feasted on cold beer and chips - yummy! ds on either side. When the gradient flattened out I knew we were almost there. But why was Fleur not stopping? There must have been a slight incline because moments later she turned and shouted, "This is it! We've reached the summit!" There on top of the world all 3 of us hugged and congratulated ourselves. I cried for Ann and for Dad with satisfied relief. We made our way down from the ridge where the wind was less and sat atop the mountain to admire the baby blue sky above us, and the marshmallowy clouds and jagged peaks of the neighbouring mountains below us. Our peaceful reverie was disturbed by shouts of joy as we looked around to see Chris, Rene and Enrique enjoying their accomplishment. Photos and congratulations were exchanged before we started back.