Andy attended an Action Aid organised Training Weekend in the Peak District to see what was needed in the trekking/fitness department prior to registering for the Nepal Challenge in 2008.

The first challenge was sleeping in a bunk bed on a slim matress in a six man dormitory! About 1 hour's sleep the first night! The local hostelries provided anaesthetics for the second night which did the trick.

The M1 was closed earlier in the week due to the threat of the Ulley dam breaking its banks, and the Sheffield Meadow Hall shopping centre were flooded. Both a stones throw from Castleton. 

Although it was wet alot of the time, it wasn't torrential. However a proper rain proof coat is required before another weekend is undertaken!

The friendliness between the 20+ participants and the Action Aid representatives was fantastic.