4 September 2009
Not many people would like to spend their summer holidays hiking up a mountain with their workmates, but that's exactly what staff from Epsom Hospital have done for the past three years.
After completing the three peaks challenge last year and climbing to Everest base camp the previous year, this summer the intrepid team of five accident and emergency (A&E) staff members climbed the tallest mountain in the Emerald isle.
Emergency nurse practitioners Julie Vosper and Ros Abrahams, charge nurse Lee Groom and staff nurses Sophie Harris and Kristian Stolt took on the impressive Carrauntoohil Mountain, which is 1,039 metres high.
The ascent took nearly seven hours to achieve, but all of the team made it safely to the top where they took in some beautiful views of southern Ireland.
Ros said: "It was a difficult climb, and there was one point - which is known as 'Devil's ladder' - that was so steep we had to practically crawl up it. It was definitely worth the hard slog though!
"As we were climbing, it was pretty overcast but as we reached the top, the clouds lifted and we enjoyed some incredible views. The Irish scenery is absolutely beautiful, so to look at it from such a height was just breathtaking."
And if that seven hour hike wasn't enough, the following day, the team climbed the 900 metre Purple Mountain and then took part in a 20 km bike ride around the Killarney National Park.
Ros added: "Some people might think it's odd to spend your time off work with your colleagues, but we all get on really well and are pretty easy going. We always make sure that we celebrate our achievements when we get home as well, so we're still spending time together when we're back!"
The group are already planning next year's trip, when they plan to climb Machau Picchu in Peru.
