3000m in the Altai Mountains

I had no idea how my body would react hiking at altitude (3000m) in Mongolia now that I have blood cancer.

I have scaled many summits but not since I destabilised. It was a gamble, but one I wanted to test.

People who live above 2700m have higher levels of haemoglobin because the kidney is stimulated to produce a hormone that encourages more production.

My specialist has been wanting to inject me with a synthetic hormone that has the same effect. I have refused the drug due to the side effects.

But doing it naturally, now that i was interested in exploring.

My gamble paid off. Blood levels have dropped since i came back, but consistently, not dramatically, like when I freedive.

So the higher the better, next year I will add another 1000m. I was close to the Chinese border when we hit 3000m. A day that brought me immense joy!!