After gods know how long, your retinas finally catch something--your lantern's light! Almost losing your footing from the excitement, you hurriedly--but cautiously-- make your way down the last stretch of the ladder before collapsing in a heap on the solid ground below.
You climbed for what felt like malms. G'arfeld did warn you, but he made it seem as if the peril was mild to moderate, not the horrible endurance test you just experienced. Or perhaps you're so used to peril that you assumed it couldn't be that bad, but regardless you've learned to never underestimate talking cats again.