Sharon Peters

Wow, what an experience. Standing on top of the Monch and looking out across the Swiss Alps was like being on top of the world, we could see the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc and we were higher than the Eiger. To put it into context the Monch is 13,474ft and Ben Nevis is 4,408ft.

It was a fantastic week with perfect weather; cloudless skies and breathtaking views. We started with a two day mountaineering course which included abseiling off various cliff edges including an ice wall wearing our crampons. We then spent three days walking in the mountains above Grindelwald in order to acclimatise to the altitude.

Our ascent up the Mönch took place on Thursday 10th September. We were roped to a guide from start to finish. Most of the ascent was up rocky scrambles or steep snow fields where the use of crampons and an ice axe was essential.

The final 400m was along the most exposed ridge either of us has been on. It was 18 inches wide along its length, with a steep icy drop of ... more

Wow, what an experience. Standing on top of the Monch and looking out across the Swiss Alps was like being on top of the world, we could see the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc and we were higher than the Eiger. To put it into context the Monch is 13,474ft and Ben Nevis is 4,408ft.

It was a fantastic week with perfect weather; cloudless skies and breathtaking views. We started with a two day mountaineering course which included abseiling off various cliff edges including an ice wall wearing our crampons. We then spent three days walking in the mountains above Grindelwald in order to acclimatise to the altitude.

Our ascent up the Mönch took place on Thursday 10th September. We were roped to a guide from start to finish. Most of the ascent was up rocky scrambles or steep snow fields where the use of crampons and an ice axe was essential.

The final 400m was along the most exposed ridge either of us has been on. It was 18 inches wide along its length, with a steep icy drop of 2000ft on one side and 3000ft on the other. We both coped by concentrating hard on our feet and not looking to one side or another, and not thinking about the fact that we had to repeat the exercise to get back down!! Needless to say it was worth it, both in terms of the views and the sense of achievement.

Thank you so much to all of you who have sponsored me by making a donation to This Way Up, it has made a wonderful experience even more worthwhile. If you haven?t made a donation but would like to then any amount, large or small, would be greatly appreciated. You can donate on-line at www.everyclick.com/sharonpeters or by sending a cheque payable to This Way Up Youth Project to 85 Warwick Road, Solihull B92 7HP.