Nevado Mismi

18 Sep 2:23 am by Mark Kalch Category: The Expedition, Thoughts

Well the team is in Chivay. We will set out today for Coporaque and tomorrow morning at the break of dawn we begin our long awaited ascent of Neva do Mismi and the ultimate source of the Amazon River.

Yesterday we went for an aclimatisation trek, ascending a mountain behind Chivay. We began at 3500m and stopped for a break at 4000m. This was a real test and a necessary one. Both Phil and Nathan felt the effects of altitude quite heavily. I was lucky not to feel any ill-effects (apart from being knackered!). Nath felt nauseous and had a headache the entire time. Phil also battled altitude sickness or the beginnings of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). From 4000m Nath and I continued on. I stopped at 4350m. Nath, ever determined, went to over 4500m. Mismi is 5600m. So being here at altitude for a few days has been brilliant. It will be extremely hard going on Mismi, but hey, if it was easy everyone would be doing it!

My brother sent through an awesome qoute from the hard-out explorer Sir Richard F. Burton. I think it sums up quite well what we are all about.

“Of the gladest moments in human life, methinks is the departure upon a distant journey to unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the leaden weight of Routine, the cloak of many Cares and the Slavery of Home, man feels once more happy. The blood flows with the fast circulation of childhood….afresh dawns the morn of life…”

7 Comments »

Best of luck with the ascent guys. Look after each other and don’t push yourselves too hard with the altitude. Can’t wait to see your photo’s from the top!

Safe journey boys. Ange XO

Comment by Ange Hanly — September 18, 2007 @ 2:42 pm
am excited to see some photos…want some of you in snow philipo!! also ive got your boat!!!

Comment by littlelatino — September 18, 2007 @ 10:27 pm
Good luck with the ascent! Phil, hope you’re feeling better and get over the altitude sickness soon! Rather you than me any day!!! Keep safe and enjoy every moment! Love from Mom and the rest of us. Praying for a safe and life changing experience.

Comment by Marné — September 18, 2007 @ 11:17 pm
Welchy, you always take up the challenge of pushing your known limits. Never one to back away are you? A life-expanding quality!

Boys, enjoy the big climb tomorrow. I’ll be teaching the lovely girls at St Ursula’s in Toowoomba, Queensland (who know about what you are doing) but you blokes will be be constantly in my thoughts.

When your journey is done I’d like to write a song about your exploits which the bushband I am part of will sing at venues and shows that we are part of. I look forward to some fabulous material. To quote a famous\infamous Australian Rugby personality, “Go you good thing!!”

Comment by John (JD) Pyke — September 18, 2007 @ 11:40 pm
Hi Nat, Buff & Phil, it sounds like the mountian really challenged you so I hope the 3 of you have been pracitising Barry’s laughting therapy you know the HA!HA !HO!HO HE!HE!
Make sure you involve Phil in these activities.
Have to fly, keep those spirits up and stay safe.
Cheers Bill

Comment by Bill Welch — September 19, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
hey Nath you girls blouse…
GO you good thing…
we won da netbll….i think
cowboys beat da warriors,warriors are out now
eels play strom
cowboys play manly in da semi

take care and bring on da BIG water

Comment by jeremy parkinson — September 19, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
If you suffer a headache it means you can still breath! …… You won’t get a headache on the white water section!
Breath slow and deep!! Good luck …. you’ll do it!

Comment by Gerry — September 23, 2007 @ 8:39 pm