The assent continues

On the way up I met up with some fellow climbers from the Relo group, Ronald (L) and Ken (R). I'd like to say that we met up because we were traveling at the same pace, but in reality Ken and I were left behind by Ronald at every stage and nick named him the 'gazelle' - which isn't terribly smart as you won't see a gazelle up a mountain but perhaps this was the first evidence of altitude sickness. Our excuse was that we had about 30kg more to carry than him.

After 3100m (and some great sports goo, beef jerky and some sausage) I started to notice a bit of a head ache, dizziness and sickness that lead to shortness of breath, but nothing that would hold me up. We made it to 3400m, the last big stopping place before the top (though I didn't know it at the the time) We had some cocoa and a bit of a rest before setting off again. However, as soon as we started again my altitude sickness became a lot worse. Ronald went on ahead and Ken (who was struggling with cramp) and I continued at a snails pace, 20 steps at a time, then 10 and then whatever! Every step I wanted to be sick and had to take really deep breaths. It was really really hard, probably the most difficult physical challenge I have undertaken. If I hadn't been climbing with someone I'm not sure I'd have made it to 3776m. That last 376m was hell.