Back at BC, Sick & Tired

< Newer | Older > Thu, 11/22/2007 - 05:03 — skress

Ama Dablam at nightI am now back in base camp. My summit bid is over. My GI issues have literally and figuratively knocked the crap out of me. Recovery at altitude is very difficult and I was never able to fully kick it. My trip to Camp 1 was very difficult. Once at C1 I had a terrible night with little to no sleep. I had a small fever in the night and every muscle and joint in my body ached. I have also developed an additional medical condition as a result the GI issues that has made all movement painful. I made the decision to abort my attempt and go back to base camp. I'm sure I could have made it further, but I don't think my body had enough reserves to make it to the top. I thought it best that I return while I could still do so unassisted.
Angus, Chris, and Cering are moving to camp 2 today and will depart for the summit at 1 am on Friday. It is a long and tough trip from camp 2 and will take between 12-18 hours for the return trip.
I feel sad and disappointed, but feel I have made the smart and safe choice. I will hang out in BC for a few days and hope to recover a bit, but I'm sure I will not fully recover until I get home.
Now that I have this technology figured out it is great. It is fun to share my thoughts and experiences and it is wonderful to receive all your messages. Being away from home for a month is emotionally difficult and this is no holiday on the beach. Being able to keep a connection with friends and family is a highlight.
I want to thank my wife Susan for forwarding me your messages and for all her support.
Fiona Adler has been a saviour as she worked with Susan to add minutes to my Sat phone. Without Fiona's help I would not be active right now. Thanks Fiona.
MC, You will enjoy Island Peak. Make sure you spend time to get well acclimatized and it will be great. The rocks at the bottom are not much fun but the head wall and the summit ridge are amazing.
Dave, thanks for keeping things running while I am gone.
Claudia, thanks to you as well. Have a great time in Vienna.
Hi to the Frontier team. Keep up the great work.
WP, thanks for following along.
Karen, Phil, Nathan & Maggie, thanks for following. Glad you are enjoying it. Hope to see you soon.
John Q & the MBA class, thanks for following. Hope your classes are going well.
Hi Alan, hope all is well. I'll give you a call when I get home.
Scott, hopefully you will make it here some day. You would love it.
Amy, have a great time in New York. You are a great helper for Mommy. I can't wait to see you.
Colin, be a good boy for Mommy. I'll be home soon. I can't wait to see you.
That's all for now. I'll keep you posted on Angus's summit bid.
Scott.

Messages

I know the feeling

taloeffler — Thu, 11/22/2007 - 13:53

Scott,

Having faced similar challenges on Everest, I know how disappointing it is to have to make the hard decision to turn your back in the summit. You made the right call and I hope you can heal fast once you return to thicker air.

TA

Scott,

wmpopper — Thu, 11/22/2007 - 18:20

GI problems are bad enough at sea level, I cannot imagine what it is at such altitude and conditions. Hope that medical treatment is soon available to you and that you are comfortable at BC. As a smart and safe man there are other adventures in your future. The night and moon landscape image which you've included is Fine. Take care, hope that you are feeling better soon.
WP

Message from Nathan

Karen Marcelo — Thu, 11/22/2007 - 20:54

Scott:

Since Nathan can't type yet, I'm transcribing for him.

"That's OK. You can do it later when you feel better. I'd rather you be safe and climb later when you are better, than be not safe and climb now. You can always do it later, 'cause you're very, very good!!"

We all echo his thoughts. Be safe. Be well. Live to climb again. We know that you will be able to do it some time in the future, and we're proud just knowing you and hearing about your adventures. Take care of yourself.

The Marcelo's

A harder decision

Fiona Adler — Thu, 11/22/2007 - 23:11

Thanks for the message Scott. I was sorry to hear that you had to turn back but in some ways its probably much harder (and wiser) to decide to turn around at the right time. Congratulations on your climb of Island Peak and I hope you soon start feeling a bit better.
Fiona

Scott

Visitor — Fri, 11/23/2007 - 05:56

That's tough, I hope you are still enjoying being in a special place and take some solstice in knowing you did your best. I hope the rest of your team have a great experience and that you can share in their accomplishments. How much longer are you there for and will there be other opportunities if you get a second wind?

Ellen had a baby boy on Monday, 7lbs, 1.5hrs labour. He came home today, very exciting. We are still beating our heads against the wall to figure out a name. Liam, Jacob, Eric, Paul, Zack, Logan, Samuel, and Shamus are in the running for first name. Robinson Gishler will be the second and last name.

I met with the Whitehorse Development Review Committee on Tuesday to convince them to let me build a 60' ice tower on the Downtown Waterfront. Surprisingly they are excited but it looks like permitting / assessment will push the project into January or next year.

Keep your chin up, at least you are not stuck in traffic.

Cheers,

Gish

brave choice

Visitor — Fri, 11/23/2007 - 07:50

Hey Scott,
So sorry to hear that you didn't get to summit this round, and very proud of you for exercising the good judgement that we all expect of you. Nonetheless, I'm sure it was challenging to call it. My thoughts are with you and your family. Hope you get big Susan, Amy and Colin squeezes soon.
Cheers my friend. Galen

From Amy

Visitor — Fri, 11/23/2007 - 12:59

I hope you're feeling better soon. I'm looking forward to seeing you again. We got up at 4:20 am yesterday morning so that we could get a good position on the parade route. I was right at the kerb, with a great view. We had to wait 2 1/2 hrs. for the parade to begin. The weather was wonderful.
My favorite balooon float was Scooby Doo. We also saw the Rockettes at Radio City music hall. It was an awesome show, I loved it
Sorry you couldn't finish your climb this time. I hope your body will heal and be able to climb Ama Dablam again and make it to the top.

Love, Amy, Mops and Pops

Good Call

Visitor — Fri, 11/23/2007 - 15:47

Hi Scott,

I feel bad for you but you made the right call however I know how disappointing it is. You are right the upper mountain is a challenge in the best of health so it would have been quite difficult in a weakened state. Try to enjoy the remainder of your time in Nepal and let it all sink in. Positive hope for Angus and the others. There are other mountains ahead! I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Alan

Courage and dreaming big ~

Mary Clare Reinhardt — Sat, 11/24/2007 - 02:52

Hi Scott ~

Echoing all of the comments on this site, I am sorry that you did not get to make a true attempt at the summit. I believe that it is definitely harder and takes more courage to make that difficult decision to turn around than it is to actually make the summit.

Again, congrats on Island Peak and I hope one day you get to fulfill your dream to stand on top of Ama Dablam. Great effort!!!!!!

Keep dreaming BIG!
M.C.

Hellow from Snowy Collingwood

Visitor — Sat, 11/24/2007 - 21:02

Scott, Just reading your news and really sorry to hear you did not summit. I am impressed with the choices you made knowing what your body can take and it's limits. Something I am still trying to learn. Blue Mtn.(HILL) is making snow as we are getting cold temps and some natural snow too.

Cheers to you and congrats to your team for their successes.
Enjoy the experience.
Love Jane and John, Brier and Kailey.
PS John is at the Grey Cup this weekend Challenging his body in a much different way.

a long, long way from maclean house

MJ — Wed, 08/06/2008 - 13:09

Scott -
Just reading thru your Everest adventure... a long way from north Toronto & an offsite session you did with PHD, but an amazing read!
Cheers,
Mike