Tuesday, 8 February 2011

Day 5

Day 5 is over. It was a tough day but a fantastic one. Adjectives such as incredible, awesome, magnificent are flying around camp! A couple of people are suffering (see below) but we are all still standing and all 16 of us should be in a good enough condition to attempt the summit tomorrow night.

Day 4 night was cold and it rained in the night as well as quite windy. Allyson's tightness across her face and hands did not improve so we were monitoring this very closely. Also antonio's blood oxygen level fell to a low reading of 75% (should be mid 80's) and he developed a headache and temperature. A number of the group were also quite anxious at the prospect of climbing the pretty sheer looking 500m high barranco wall.

Day 5 dawned to another stunning blue sky morning. Antonio and I struggled with sleep again but we did manage to get some. At breakfast antonio's and allyson's condition had both improved and they felt much better.

We set off and set about this Goliath of a wall some 1,700 feet high. Now I as well as many in the group get vertigo so you can understand that we were a little nervous. Lisa in particular was on edge.

But we loved it. Every one of us. The young members of the team in dan radley (who is doing great) and mike Wilesmith (equally so) leapt up like mountain goats. Jumping over 4 gaps with pretty much nothing below is not something that any of us would normally be that comfortable with - but we did it and we loved it. Perhaps the most telling comment was from Andrew black (who is also doing great) who simply said "I just didn't know that I could do something like that". And that's really what this massive adventure is all about - scaling new heights both literally and within one's self.

After the barranco wall we then undulate up and down for a couple of hours and finally scaled a monster hill to enter camp.

At camp everyone is well. To help Allyson and Antonio acclimatise a little better the team leader has prescribed a small dose of diamox which should help. Both however remain strong and are walking and climbing well.

Well tomorrow is a massive day. We get up very early and climb another 2,000 feet to base camp. Arriving mid afternoon we then rest before we make our summit bid from 11pm through the night until around 9 in the morning.

All of us should be good enough to start which is a fantastic achievement in itself. I do not know when the next signal will be so please bear with us if we cannot update you until after we gave tried to summit.

Wish us luck!!


Sent from Nigel Payne's iPhone

16 comments:

  1. Wow - I am genuinely impressed, I need hand holding 1,000 ft up on a wide path in Majorca so that sounds horrendous, but am sure it was exhilirating and amazing to complete. Best of luck for the summit and look forward to reading your next installment.

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  2. Good luck for tomorrow everyone. Seriously think you are all doing an amazing thing and well done, especially to Lisa as i remeber how much you hated being in the ski lift, let alone god know how high up with no glass surrounding you. Can't wait to hear more xx

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  3. GO ALLY GO :)
    im sending as many good vibes your way as possible. my inbox is full of texts from people asking how yer getting on so everyones thinking of ye! KEEP HER LIT LAD.x

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  4. Lisa, you are a bloody rockstar!! I am so proud of you!

    -Cynthia

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  5. Ally, you're doing fantastic! I'm so proud of you and like Gigi said, everyone's asking how you're getting on. It's great to have the blog for the updates. Hope the headaches pass soon and you get a good sleep in before tomorrow night. Can't wait til you get back. Best of luck with the rest of the journey. Take care my love, Gillo xxx

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  6. Well done everyone, you are all doing marvellously well, can't believe all of you have got to this point, so much for the percentages eh!
    Keep drinking lots, be strong and can;t wait to see all the piccies of everyone at the top.
    Well done lovely hubby, keep digging those heels in and look after the Portuguese! xx LOL xx

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  7. Dear All, best of luck on the final ascent, take care, best regards to Dan
    Love Dave and Lynn (Mummy and Daddy)

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  8. Go on Love, you can do IT! Just to be up there is wonderful! Allison, I hope headache is better! Thanks Nigel! Tomorrow night I'll be doing you all a toast.

    LOL

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  9. Good luck Mike/Daddy we all very proud of you, Lizzie, Sam and Weazie xxxxx

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  10. The Victor
    Poet: C.W. Longenecker

    If you think you are beaten, you are.
    If you think you dare not, you don’t
    If you like to win but think you can’t,
    It’s almost a cinch you won’t.

    If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost.
    For out in the world we find
    Success begins with a fellow’s will
    It’s all in the state of mind.

    If you think you are outclassed, you are.
    You’ve got to think high to rise.
    You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
    You can ever win the prize.

    Life’s battles don’t always go
    To the stronger or faster man.
    But sooner or later, the man who wins
    Is the man who thinks he can.

    Pole Pole guys.... one foot in front of the other.. and just keep going...... coming down is fun.... Enjoy the views and watching the beautuful sunrise. You will have those memories forever.
    Enjoy summit night.
    Jane... will be thinking of you hunni. xxx

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  11. Ally you can do it, that's all i gotta say xxx
    Good luck everyone and enjoy the views :)

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  12. Congratulations all. Best of British for tomorrow, Visualise yourself at the top standing next to that sign. Its all in the mind from here on in!! Go for it!

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  13. Good luck to everyone you should be so proud of your achievements.
    Good luck Bruv, thinking of you every step of the way, you can do it.
    See you really soon cant wait for you to show us pictures and tell us about your adventure.
    Lots and lots of love from us.
    Chris and dave. xxxxx

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  14. Ally sister, I know it's been a tough couple of days but that mountain is yours. I know you can do it and I am sending all my energy and love to you to ensure you do. We are so proud of you no matter what happens but I am waiting for the call from the top. Go n-éirí an bóthar leat. Love and hugs, Carrie xxx

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  15. Heyy papa it's Lucy! Well done for getting this far! I hope you're having an amazing time and you're not feeling too tired out! I really miss you and can't wait for you to come home! I hope you get back to a lovely hotel and extra good luck to your big night trek this evening I'm sure you'll do well! Lots of love
    Lucy xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  16. Hi Liam and Andrew. Really good luck tonight - thinking of you. Frazers and Penniceards have been asking about you both. Well done - nearly there! I'll get the others to post later.
    Lots of love Alex xxxx

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