SCOTLAND on SUNDAY – March 26, 2006
Lynne Kennedy writes about her experience
‘Fit of Peak’ – Page 31 – 33

…… Standing in the early dawn, before the cloud has crept up through the vertiginous valleys and obscured them for the day, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu stare back at me, albeit wish a good few miles between us, Despite his newly constructed road, however, the Aga Khan never got to see this spectacular panorama – the road, which is really more of a narrow cobbled track, was denounced by his emissary as far too dangerous. ……

……It is Kanchenjunga, number three on the highest peak hit list that provides the main backdrop for the race. This is the most easterly of the 26, 000 ft plus Himalayan range and until 1852 was assumed to be the highest mountain in the world. The name translates from Tibetan as ‘five treasures of the great snow’ relating to the mountain’s quintet of perilous peaks. The Kanchenjunga Marathon would perhaps be a more apt moniker, but it wouldn’t have quite the same allure. ……

…… The earth plummeted into what appeared to be a succession of bottomless valley, first on our left, then our right, as we meandered ever upwards. No matter how high we drove, each of the steep valleys was dotted with houses and small settlements, surrounded by rhododendrons, magnolia trees and beautiful exotic flowers. After an hour or so we broke through the could line and everything was lost under what resembled a large, multi-peaked pavlova.

….. As I savour my Indian beer and have my feet rubbed, I question what makes anyone take on this kind of challenge; to push themselves day after day, mile after mile, with aching limbs, blisters and chafing in places you really don’t want to chafe. John Hoare, one of the UK participants, clears up “I sit at a desk day in, day out, all year. I need to do something crazy every once in a while, otherwise I’d go well….crazy!” …..