If you have been following the dispatches on the AC website or my other blog, you would be aware that I wasn't able to summit Aconcagua. I turned around about 1.5 hours out of high camp - about 6,280m - on summit day due to a combination of factors. I certainly don't consider not reaching the summit as failure; it was simply a strategic withdrawal. And I consider it a success if only because (as a wise CR once told me) I didn't let fear hold me back from doing something I wanted to do. And besides, I had the most amazing journey along the way.
The big 'A' and me, taken from camp 2 at 5,500m-
This trip had soooo many firsts. First full expedition. First time I've carried loads at altitude - bloody hard work. First time I've spent 48 hours at 6000m. For those who have never been to altitude before, this fact may help to give you some idea of just how hard it is and how hard your body has to work. My resting HR at sea level is 48 BPM. At 6000m, it was 100 BPM! I may have reached a higher altitude in Nepal last year but this was, by far, the hardest thing I have attempted. And probably the achievement I am most proud of.
Camp 3 at 6000m where I spent my 34th birthday-
The view from my turnaround point on summit morning. Camp 3 (at 6000m) can just be seen in the bottom of the photo-
Here's a sekrit. Mountaineering is just an excuse to stuff yourself with junk food 24/7 and still lose weight-
So now I'm back and trying to get my head out of the mountains and back to 'real life'. Mentally, I'm in great shape - I am already thinking about my sporting goals for the rest of the year. Rehabing my ankle and running again (which I haven't done since I stuffed it in September) is my no.1 priority (as is unpacking our new home!). However the fact that I wanted to lay down and sleep to recover from a long, hot shower this morning I think indicates that, physically, I still have some recovery time ahead. Pass the chocolate ;-)
3 comments:
Wow Jen, those pics are spectacular and I agree you did not fail, failure is for those that do not even try.
Might see you out and about now that we are both back :)
20,000 ft is very impressive Jen. Congrats on getting that far and I'm sure with your determination you will go back to crack the summit.
You were so close. It looks like you could just walk straight up there!
Fantastic achievement. Congratulations. The resting HR says it all - the highest I've run at is 10,000 ft and that was hard work!
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