5 Jan (Sat): As I flew in yesterday morning, I lifted the window shade for the first time during my flight. We were on the approach to Santiago Airport and out my window, off in the distance was Cerro Aconcagua. It actually took a moment to find it, as I was expecting it would be a little more prominent, after all it is almost 7000 meters tall and even Rainier stands out like a giant when flying into Seattle. Then again, the entire Andes range is covered with 6000 meter peaks.
Staring out the window I was taken back to 5 years ago when I first launched my bid for the Seven Summits. Aconcagua was the first climb in that quest and it turned out to be an epic adventure of back and forth with weather and time. We made a push to the higher camps, but weather would turn us around and the expedition was over. Suddenly, as the rest of the team was heading out, the leader introduced me to Jorge, and together we would make a mad push up through the weather catching a window and eventually the summit. That climb still to this day holds a special place in my heart and memories. What started out as a somewhat frustrating climb, turned into the best outcome possible. The wind and temperature were severe enough to ground the guided groups, but well within the parameters for a seasoned climber, and heading back up with just Jorge and I was an alpine pleasure, and we were part of the few that day to enjoy the mountain to ourselves. All the weather lifted for the perfect day on the summit. If I never climb another mountain, it matters not with memories like these.
So on to this next adventure, tomorrow I fly to Punta Arenas and wait till we head to the ice.
My time has been spent doing, dare I say… yoga (better know as “combat stretching.”) Since I always join these big expeditions last minute, I never really get the time to properly train. I started this one out way over weight, almost 204 lbs, but my goal was to get that into the 180’s, which I reached the day before I left Columbus. All I could really do is calisthenics, my typical 4-mile run, and long walks with a pack on our treadmill. Then, I started having these tendon issues pop up in my elbow and the back of my knee, along with this strange pain off centered in my back. I found these yoga stretches to be great at temporarily relieving these pains and the Ibuprofen certainly helps with the joints (okay, okay… arthritis) but I felt I needed one more thing. Today I decided to get a massage (something I very rarely do, in fact only twice in the past) and I have to say the ladies at AcuatroManos Massage Spa in Santiago did an outstanding job. Yes, I said “ladies” as they do a 4-hand massage! They were very professional, finding every sore spot I have been having issues with, and they do house calls. They were recommend to me by the folks at my hotel and I am further recommending them to anyone who my find themselves in Santiago, Chile. They even took time to ask about Summit for Soldiers and learn more about the issues. Their website is https://acuatromanos-masaje.negocio.site .
Okay, Till tomorrow!
Staring out the window I was taken back to 5 years ago when I first launched my bid for the Seven Summits. Aconcagua was the first climb in that quest and it turned out to be an epic adventure of back and forth with weather and time. We made a push to the higher camps, but weather would turn us around and the expedition was over. Suddenly, as the rest of the team was heading out, the leader introduced me to Jorge, and together we would make a mad push up through the weather catching a window and eventually the summit. That climb still to this day holds a special place in my heart and memories. What started out as a somewhat frustrating climb, turned into the best outcome possible. The wind and temperature were severe enough to ground the guided groups, but well within the parameters for a seasoned climber, and heading back up with just Jorge and I was an alpine pleasure, and we were part of the few that day to enjoy the mountain to ourselves. All the weather lifted for the perfect day on the summit. If I never climb another mountain, it matters not with memories like these.
So on to this next adventure, tomorrow I fly to Punta Arenas and wait till we head to the ice.
My time has been spent doing, dare I say… yoga (better know as “combat stretching.”) Since I always join these big expeditions last minute, I never really get the time to properly train. I started this one out way over weight, almost 204 lbs, but my goal was to get that into the 180’s, which I reached the day before I left Columbus. All I could really do is calisthenics, my typical 4-mile run, and long walks with a pack on our treadmill. Then, I started having these tendon issues pop up in my elbow and the back of my knee, along with this strange pain off centered in my back. I found these yoga stretches to be great at temporarily relieving these pains and the Ibuprofen certainly helps with the joints (okay, okay… arthritis) but I felt I needed one more thing. Today I decided to get a massage (something I very rarely do, in fact only twice in the past) and I have to say the ladies at AcuatroManos Massage Spa in Santiago did an outstanding job. Yes, I said “ladies” as they do a 4-hand massage! They were very professional, finding every sore spot I have been having issues with, and they do house calls. They were recommend to me by the folks at my hotel and I am further recommending them to anyone who my find themselves in Santiago, Chile. They even took time to ask about Summit for Soldiers and learn more about the issues. Their website is https://acuatromanos-masaje.negocio.site .
Okay, Till tomorrow!
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