Why am I doing this?

My trek is dedicated to and in memory of Carol Aslin, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1999 and died on November 15, 2002.

Carol was somebody who went out to meet life, grabbing it with vigour instead of waiting for it to come out and find her. Throughout her illness she maintained a sense of humour and she kept smiling, even towards the end. I knew her all my life; she was like a member of my own family. I don't think anyone could fail to like Carol or to be moved by the way she approached and dealt with cancer.

I have never been on a proper trek before and I've no idea what to expect, especially not at altitude level. I sometimes get a little nervous of heights and I was never a star pupil when it came to PE, but Carol had a determined, positive attitude and I'm sure that if I can muster up one iota of the courage she showed then I will be fine.

I also know that when I climb the escalator on the Northern Line at Waterloo Station, getting in the way of all the other commuters in an attempt to ready myself for the Inca Trail, Carol will be there somewhere, watching and laughing.