"Nursing a splitting hangover, nursing a delicately placed front point of a crampon, calf muscles screaming for release, every fibre of being searching the ice for a lifesaver axe hold, no other thought beyond that. Forget the feel of vomit rising in the throat, I want the flood of relief when it appears at last (the axe placement, not the vomit). A flick of the wrist and the teeth of the pick bites the ice and you know its good."