After a cold night, the day began early with a loud call to prayer at 5 am, jolting us awake and reminding us we were in a very different place. By 7 am, we sat down to a hearty breakfast of porridge, pancakes with jam, coffee, and water. The meal gave us much-needed energy for the long day ahead. We met our guide, Abdoul, along with the mule that would carry our main gear to base camp. Renting crampons for the summit climb added to the sense of both excitement and preparation for the challenges ahead. By 9 am, we set off.

The adventure began at the ungodly hour of 5 am on the frosty morning of 2nd January. With the cold snap in full swing, my entire family rallied to see me off. Ben and Toby tumbled out onto the street in their pyjamas, bleary-eyed and shivering in the freezing cold. They stood there waving goodbye, a sight both chaotic and heartwarming. Thankfully, the street was deserted, sparing them (and me) from any extra embarrassment. As soon as the car pulled away, they were likely back under their duvets before we had even reached the main road.

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