Seeing Danielle Steward briskly walking up and down stairs while swinging her arms is becoming a familiar sight at City of Bath College, as she prepares for a world-famous trek.
The College’s HR Administrator is putting the stairs to good use as she steps up her power-walking training to prepare for the Inca Trail in Peru.
It’s all about the high-intensity training for Danielle who will be undertaking the gruelling four-day trek to Machu Picchu in aid of the Bath Cats and Dogs Home.
The highest point of the 26-mile Inca Trail is 4,200 metres, so as well as thousands of Inca stairs to climb and descend, there is the added challenge of a lack of oxygen.
Although Danielle admits putting her best foot forward while at work does get a few strange looks from students and staff.
The 26-year-old from Bath said: “Whenever I have to take something to someone in College, I do a quick loop of the stairs.
“Even if the person I need to see is on the 1st floor, I find myself going up to the 5th floor and back again all in the name of training.
“There are so many stairs in the college, it’s the perfect training ground but some people do wonder what on earth I’m doing.
“I’m there power-walking with my arms and legs going like mad. I just tell people ‘I’m in training’ then get on with it.”
Danielle – who describes herself as “not the biggest camper” and “a fair weather dog walker” – will have to trek through mountains, subtropical jungle and Inca ruins and tunnels.
She is tackling one of the world’s most famous treks with a group of six family and friends in May. It’s a self-funded trip so all money raised will go directly to the Bath Cats and Dogs Home.
Danielle will carry her own 25-litre rucksack containing essential items but porters will accompany the group to assist with their camping equipment.
Danielle’s training also consists of extended walks home from work, hikes up Widcombe Hill and Bathwick Hill and eight-mile weekend dog walks.
She said: “As it gets closer, I’m really, really excited, although I’m also getting nervous.
“As well as the training we have to mentally prepare for the trek. It’s going to be tough but amazing at the same time.
“I’m not the biggest camper and I’d describe myself as a fair weather dog walker. I love being outside and walking, but I prefer a nice walk with a pub at the end of it!
“The biggest challenge will be the constant uphill hiking for 7-9 hours a day at high altitude.”
Danielle’s two-week trip of a lifetime begins on 23rd May when she flies to Cusco then after the Inca Trail, she will go on to spend some time in the Amazon.
She said: “It’s always been a personal challenge to do the Inca Trail. I think it’s that iconic picture looking down at Machu Picchu.
“It’s going to be worth all the pain when I look down and see that view, the final destination cannot be beaten.”
Danielle is undergoing the fundraising feat in aid of the Bath Cats and Dogs home as it’s a charity close to her heart.
She has her own rescue dog, a Rottweiler cross called Poppy.
She is determined to help the charity that provides shelter, food and veterinary care to the city’s unwanted and neglected animals.
Danielle said: “It’s such an amazing place, the staff do such a wonderful job, they really care about the animals.”
To help Danielle with her fundraising, visit www.justgiving.co.uk/danielle-steward