3 days hiking so far… no showers… I stink… my hairs dirty and I look a mess… today was the hardest so far and another challenge tomorrow… 17 klm’s of rough up and down terrain with 16 kilo on our backs and blisters on my feet. There was a number of times the conversation I had with myself sounded like this…
‘Why the hell am I doing this, what am I thinking? I must be farking mad… what do I think I am 20?… geezus, if I see another hill I will freaking scream… we must be at the top by now.. what there is another top… how many fucking tops does this mountain have?? My feet are burning… I am not sure if I can do this?…’
And then…
‘Julie… you are a machine, you have climbed bigger mountains than this… you have got this… your strong, you are tough and you always rise to the challenge … so walk through that pain, trust yourself and know for sure you will climb that mountain, you will do this and when you do…’
You will feel so proud that you did it, you will see views that some people will never get to see, feel and experience because they stop when their feet hurt, when the climb is tough and when the load is heavy… and you will feel stronger emotionally and physically and your belief in yourself will be reignited…
Ok… so that’s why I am doing this… 
and now this machine needs a service and oil change before another big day tomorrow!
P.S. You can read Part Two here.