We were on a mountain in Scotland, near Ben Nevis with work completing our annual winter skills trip.

I was lucky to be in the more advanced class even though I had never ice climbed before.

I had shoes that were 3 sizes too big (Work provided them and told me to wear thicker socks) and my ice axe had no strap. We had hardly any training on how to prevent falls. My leads were only winter mountain guides.

The ascent was amazing, and I quickly learnt how to lead. However on the descent all went wrong.

On the final steep part I was told to just walk down the slope. All my safety equipment was removed. As we walked down the snow below crumpled and I started to slide down. My ice axe arrest failed and because I had no strap the ice axe fell out my hand.

I fell 200m and suffered some nasty ice burns, swollen knees and back problems I struggle with to this day.