Here we go again

I’m currently waiting for a tube at Hammersmith. I’m feeling quite nervous about the trip, but I’m not really sure why. It’s not because I think I can’t do it – I’m pretty confident that if the knees survive then I should be OK.

I think the nerves are more to do with the fact that in under an hour I should have met the nine other climbers that I’m going to spend the next four weeks with. There’s going to be precious little contact with anyone outside them and the supporting cast of guides, porters, cooks etc, so hopefully we’ll all get on…