Spending a night at 6,000m is an opposite of being in a spa floatation tank. One feels undermined by gravity, thin air and gravity of thoughts. Any rapid movement sends one’s heart racing. Appetite goes. Mouth is constantly dry. And sleep apnea punctuates the night with … [Read more...]
GRIT&ROCK Blog
Aconcagua Day 2: Meet Fernanda
During our five hour 27km dusty trek along the moraine towards the Mulas Base camp, we were overtaken by a tiny female runner who was cheerfully heading up a dusty trail. Such scenes are rare here. Usually it is one of a pack of gayly running mules and struggling humans. I … [Read more...]
Aconcagua Day 1: Expedition Packing
Much talked about landslides have been efficiently cleared by the Argentine authorities and we are now on our way to the Horcones Gate. I forgot how vivid the landscape colours are around here with lapis high skies and ochre rocks. Ossy and I spent a few hours in Fernando … [Read more...]
Aconcagua: Do we ever climb the same mountain twice?
Who am I racing against in my challenge? What drives me a year on to get on a 24 hour red eye, with a resin cast, and hit the same dusty path towards South America's highest peak? Why repeat this at all when I've climbed just a fraction of achingly beautiful piles back home … [Read more...]
ON GROWING WINGS
My son is dreaming of his first expedition and is 'coming along' to Aconcagua. Should I tell him it's dangerous? Silly? Imprudent? That there is little point in climbing big rocks?Should I tell him he'd rather focus on chess or read classics? He has heaps of charisma and … [Read more...]
