By Daviot Kelly, staff reporter 
I HAD no idea what to expect on my hike to Blue Mountain Peak. I had never been hiking before so the prospect of going up a mountain scared me.
We were headed for the highest point, Middle Peak, which is 2,256 metres, or over 7,000 feet high. (Perfect, and me terrified of heights). Based on my knowledge and the experiences of others, I figured three things would happen. It would be long, almost entirely uphill and very cold. Congratulate me; for the first time in a long time, I was actually right about something.
Must admit that the 12:30 a.m. start time was, uh, a cause for concern (yeah I think that sums it up), but I went with an open mind. It wasn't skydiving or bullfighting, right? Besides, I asked myself "What are you, a man or a mouse?" Of course, there are times when it is easier to reach for the cheese than face a new challenge but not this time!
PREPARATION
I had no idea how to prepare for a hike of this nature! Didn't realise I had to until it was pointed out to me. For my own personal exercise, I had been doing 300 sit-ups any night I did not have to work late and I have some free weights to help build the arms. Whether this would be enough was another matter.
Of course, ask any sportsperson and they will say that the mental aspect is just as important. So my mental preparation was dealt a severe blow when everyone who had taken the trek at some point, described facing three feelings: pain, more pain and whole heap a pain.
They all finished with "oh, but it was a nice experience." "Fantastic," I thought, "I'll feel fulfilled but won't be able to move for days."
DIARY
Saturday, August 9
4 p.m. Got to Sun Ventures Tours. Wanted to get there early to meet Mr. Robert Kerr, tour guide. Talked with him, found about the business and just kept myself occupied until the others arrived.
6:15 p.m. The rest of the hiking party arrive. I knew from the start this was an energetic group, full of 'vibes'. Muna, Timberley, Joe, Julius, Matthew and Trevor. Chris and Kerry joined us a couple minutes later.
6:40 p.m. Left for Mavis Bank. As we left I couldn't help asking myself, "How did I get myself into this? Hiking. Me? I'm a television watching, both feet on the ground guy."
About 8 p.m. Changed from Mr. Kerr's van to a Land Rover because where we were going was hilly and bumpy terrain. Trevor, Chris, Kerry and Julius took Trevor's Prado while the rest of us rode in the Rover. "Moonshine tonight," said Mr. Kerr.
This meant that we could see better but also that the night would be colder. But the group, especially Muna, refused to let me think negative. They even found the bumpy ride up fun.
Around 9 p.m. Reach Wildflower Lodge. We will rest here for a couple of hours before our hike at 12:30 a.m. Knowing that I have a long walk ahead of me, I lie down on my lower bunk and try to sleep although my excitement is building. I eventually fall asleep to the haunting whistles of the wind some time after 10.
12:15 a.m. I awake to the voices of the others. I laced up my boots, munched on the chocolate I brought (for energy) and drank water and Gatorade. Ensured that the camera was secure and the flashlight was working.
1 a.m. We set out. A sense of nervous anticipation takes us as we set off. Mr. Kerr has already told us that the higher we got, the thinner the air would be. The expected.
About 2 a.m. We are introduced to Jacob's Ladder. This is a series of ascending slopes set more like a staircase than a ladder. Each new turn was higher than the previous one and whatever windbreaker and gloves you may have had were discarded.
ARRIVE AT PORTLAND GAP
2:30 a.m. We arrive at Portland Gap where there is a ranger station. We rest our already tired legs; I say already because we have a little more than half the journey left. There is concern for Joe's ankle as it begins to hurt him. He has the choice to have someone stay with him but he soldiers on. His courage forces the rest of us to keep going although we all have our own aches and pains.
3 a.m. We are back on the trail. I actually feel stronger at the start of this than the first. My chest is not wheezing as I thought it might be. My thighs are hurting but I can make it.
4:30 a.m. We learn that our estimated arrival time at the peak is 5:30 p.m. Buoyed by the news, we set out again. Every stone we trip on, every incline we must surmount and the cold wind touching our faces are all telling us to stop or go back.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
1 kilometre left. Less than a mile. But that was the longest kilometre of my life. At this point, the legs are asking "what are you doing? The knees were saying the same and my ankles were wondering what I was trying to do them. My feet went on strike a few times refusing to go over stones. I slipped a couple of times but my trusty hands (they were cold but still working) kept me from literally hitting the trail.
500 metres left. We were in a race against time as the first blue mists of morning slowly began to appear. We were desperate to reach the peak so we could see the sunrise. At the last corner before the final stretch to the peak, I practically bargained with my legs to carry me a little further.
Reluctantly, they agreed. As I saw the land level off, I belatedly realised that I had done it. No wait, WE had all done it. I was fourth up. Muna and Timmie hugged each other in celebration. I was like a football player who scored his first goal for his country; I had no idea how to celebrate. Just found the first thing to sit and rested.
We didn't get to see the sunrise because of the thick fog but that only dampened our clothes, not our spirits. We had tamed the lion, scared the rolling calf; conquered the peak.
6:40 a.m. We start our trek back down. We moved slower this time. Maybe because we were tired or simply that we didn't want to leave so soon.
Jacob's Ladder was as painful going down as it was coming up. Instead of the thighs and ankles hurting, it was our calves and toes stubbing against our shoes that caused us pain. Whatever discomfort there was, we tried to ignore it. Why? Because the more we came down the hill, the more we marvelled that "we actually climbed this thing!"
10:25 a.m. Tired and hot, we dragged ourselves to Wildflower Lodge. At last! The aches and pains really attacked us now, as if they had been waiting to ambush us the whole time. But we looked back up the peak and remembered what we had accomplished. The pain was worthwhile.
12:15 p.m. I bid goodbye to my fellow hikers. It's been fun getting to know them. I can say without their help, I wouldn't have made it up there. Thanks guys.
Two hours later I was home. A completely different world than what I just left. It seemed like I was just on another planet. On my way up I often asked "why me?"
I can answer that now by saying "why not me"?
