It was 3 lung-fuls of thin mountain air for every step, frozen fingers, frostbitten toes, muddy boots, snow-blinded eyes, 15 kilos on my back, -15 degrees celsius atmosphere, 3 layers of protection and a stomach full of determination.
It was conversations with your teammates at 3000m, words of encouragement every 5 minutes at 3500m, whispers of encouragement every 20 minutes at 4000m, and only the 20 knot wind and the sound of your heart and breath at 4500m.
It was goat shit, yak shit, bull shit (literally and metaphorically), horse shit and 'OMG WTH did I get myself into this shit'.
It was ceaseless cursing, ceaseless yearning, ceaseless complaining, ceaseless faith, ceaseless pain, ceaseless hope.
It was worth it.
