Not all good news

So my post thus far has been funny and humorous and hopefully informative as well. But we have to also be realistic and see the dangers in these expeditions. Last week 3 Polish climbers summited but lost their way coming down and died. May their souls rest in peace. I pray that God keeps us safe throughout our climb. Ameen

Final training session

So off to the gym I go. My final training session and then total rest for the week before departure.  45min light cycling and some core work. The training has been such a big part of my routine that it's going to be so strange to do nothing in the coming week...but R&R is vital for the expedition ahead. I will still come to gym, but just relax in the sauna and steam room and go for a few massages. I'm feeling like I'm coming up with a flu, so I'm hoping that it comes and goes within this week, so that I'm all good to go by next week when we depart.
I feel good and positive, as well as nervous (with excitement). I've worked hard and I'm mentally and physically psych'd up for this amazing experience. Now the rest is up to the weather, good health and safety- God Willing. 

These boots were made for walking....

So we don't have snow in Johannesburg. ..that doesn't mean we can't do a hike with the snow boots...lol
Oh we can't practise with the crampons but we did an awesome hike with the ice boots. They really awesome👍
These boots were made for walking..and that's just what they'll do...one of these days these boots are going walk all over you ...lol
Hope u guys know that song!!! 

Thought for the day

It’s called dedication to the small things; to the little details’ you aim small you miss small, because it’s the small steps that ultimately climb mountains, so... why would you skip that workout? Why would you give up on that last REP? Why would you cheat on that Meal? Why wouldn’t you give it you absolute all, that’s called effort’ and time it stops for no one, you have one shot at this thing called life! So it’s up to you to make it happen, You got a choice where you spend every minute of your day, No one decides that but YOU ! 

Time to Pack

Yep....Tick Tock....It's time for the packing to begin.  I have an awesome duffel bag with back straps in a seriously bright yellow colour!!! Not to be missed lol. I love it :o)
I've packed all my gear into separate compressor zip-lock bags (thanks to Vic for this tip)...saves so much space. I have double checked all my gear against the list and there are still about 3 items that I'm missing, but I'll get those in this coming week. I'm super excited!!!! COUNTING THE SLEEPS - YEEHA!!
 

Some Hilarious Hiking signs

I had to post these signs....I was cracked up looking at these...lol

Morning Swim

The days are getting warmer now, so there is nothing like a wonderful early morning swim at the virgin active in Constantia Park gym, to get the Monday blues washed away. This is the last week of my training. Next week is total relaxation before the expedition, so I'm making the best of this week. Gosh, the time has really gone by so quickly.

Pre Event Sport Massage

So for the next two weeks I'll have a sport massage on a Sunday, as well as the physiotherapy treatment in the week. I'm going to sleep like a baby tonight😴😴😴😴😴. Gosh it was painful in some places😰😱....but like the saying goes- no pain , no gain. I had a lovely steam room session again this afternoon and then went for a sport massage. 

The Elbrus Climbing Team

The team climbing with me and departing on Monday 7th September consists of:


Heinrich - Guide from Cape Town

Vickey (known as Vic) - From Jozi

Daniel - From Cape Town

Justin - From Cape Town

Peter - From Cape Town

Naz (me)

Practise walking in my double plastic snow boots

So this afternoon I decided that I should Practise walking in my double plastic snow boots, as well as putting on the crampons with gloves. As far as the crampons go....holy moly..  They are sharp, they clang it looks like a piece of some alien's foot from one of those movies like predator or something like that..lol! I must say it was a challenge, but at least I'm getting there. I have been walking around in the house with my boots and it feels strange, Anyway it's for the greater good, so I'm not stressing...lol. I love these boots...they are massive but cute, if that makes sense :o)
Regarding the crampons. The best advice I can give you here is this:  YOUTUBE!!  I have learnt tons on there, from putting on crampons, ice axe self arrest and belay, etc.!  So to familiarise myself with crampons in general I watched a pile of videos from how to walk in crampons, different techniques and then how to get them on and off safely.  Do yourself a favour, go watch these videos, they will give you a bit more courage to attempt it yourself! You need to pack them point to point in the back to avoid the spikes spiking through the bag and causing chaos!Obviously, we live in Johannesburg SA, where there is no snow so I'll have to practising walking with the crampons on the mountain....I'm very excited ;o)

aqua aerobics training

So today I did some aqua aerobics to put less pressure on the knees. 16days to go...tick tock. Just cycling and swimming for the next week. Less is more....don't want to injure my knees further. 

Awesome workout....u would be surprised at the level of intensity it takes to do this aqua aerobics....sjoe, I'm totally exhausted...lol and here I was thinking it's for old people..Hahahaha. There were more young people in the pool than anything else and some handsome hunks...lol. I'll be back ;)

Weather Forecast on Elbrus

I have been following the weather for Elbrus.....it's getting colder with some snow storms or rather snow blizzards. This majestic mountain is notorious for it's brutal winter weather. I'm praying that the weather improves for our climb and summit attempt. I have been following another group from SA for their summit attempt and it looks like they were turned back due to bad weather- complete whiteouts and winds in excess of 70km/h

Gear Checks

Mountain climbing is an equipment intensive activity. Having good equipment in the mountains increases safety and your comfort level and therefore your chance of having a successful climb. So today Vic and I are doing a gear check…Huge duffel bag off to work and we will check the gear in the office.

The mountains are calling and I must go

So yesterday I was asked by another friend of mine why do I climb mountains???
I just said it’s something I desire doing. It’s simply a want with no ego attached. Some girls want new clothes and fancy accessories, I just want to climb and be adventurous. I want to absorb and breathe in every experience that life has to offer. The saying is that, “To be alive and live is a gift from GOD, so how you live, that’s your gift to GOD.” I want to live to my fullest ;o)
I want to look back on my life and know that I did good – no matter the outcome. If I fail, at least I tried!!!

Countdown has begun

Trip Dates & Logistics

Oh yes the countdown has begun...I cannot wait for our trip to Russia!  3 more weeks. The time has really gone so quickly...

Depart from Johannesburg on Emirates Airways via Dubia to Moscow on 7th September 2015

Spend a day in Moscow exploring Red Square, The Kremlin etc

From Moscow we fly to Mineral Vodie & take road transport (around 4-6hours) to the Caucasus area

Spend 2 nights in a 'hotel' in the village below whilst trekking to numerous peaks for acclimatisation

Move up Mount Elbrus to the 'barrel huts' where we spend our time acclimatising and eventually our summit attempt!

GOD Willing everything goes well (weather conditions, health) and the team summits  successfully and arrives safely back in SA. Ameen
 

Training hike @ Tswaing Crater

Easy like Sunday morning... lol
6km hike with a wonderful view of the Crater.  We live in a amazing country- a 10m meteorite hit earth 200 000 years ago just outside Pretoria and this is the result

Pamper muscles with a Thai Massage

There is nothing better to pamper and relax sore muscles after a hard week's workout. Sauna,  steam room and a fantastic Thai massage. I feel so relaxed.... going to sleep like a baby tonight. 😴😴😴😴

Keeping the Faith

4am training again... Saturday morning and it feels wonderful to be on the road.  Another beautiful blessed day.

Every religion on the planet has told us to have FAITH. Faith is when you cannot see how, but you absolutely know that the moment you have the dream it is given to you, and all you have to do is relax and allow the Universe to magnetize you to your dream and your dream to you.