Every journey begins with a single step – along with last minute shopping and a team meal…
Finally I left England on a venture that has taken over 2 years to put together. When I arrived back from the North Geographic Pole in 2016 I had a good outreach of students world wide – it would be a shame to just cut connections with these guys. So a new and bigger project was needed.
Yesterday I counted the amount of organisations and educational areas who are now apart of Expedition 8848 – it’s truly grown since the idea popped into my head.
It’s been 2 years of highs and lows to point that sometimes I questioned whether it’s actually worth it! Why don’t I just climb Everest instead of creating a global education programme! Well I need a reason to climb and 1.6 million students / scouts is not a bad one.
I said goodbye to my dogs which was tough and jumped on a plane which luckily ended up in Kathmandu. The reality kicked in today when I met some of the ascent team and packed my gear.
For the next 4 weeks I am trekking / training with my friend Mauli who I’ve known for 12 years as a guide who works for my trekking company. On the 4 April I meet the education team along with my climbing partner and documentary film maker Tom. This is when the educational programme begins…
For now I am sat outside a cafe in the busy tourist section of Kathmandu watching the speed of life pass in front of me – soon I will be in the cool of the mountains.
At the back of my mind is something that has been there since the seed of the idea was born 2 years ago and will be there through my next 2 months preparation- this is the thought of the final ascent day. All this preparation and hard work to focus on a few hours ascent to the summit – the day when everything comes together.
Mark Wood's Expedition Journal 
All the best of luck for a safe journey!
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