Another 5:45 wake up call. I'm feeling a lot better this morning. Unfortunately Gerry isn't. His head is still hurting - hard to tell how bad he is feeling as he isn't being very communicative, but it must be pretty bad for him to be this . . . umm . . . uncommunicative!
and to get the crampons back on again when the going got slippy!
He doses with solpadeine and waits to see if that helps, and we have breakfast and get ready wondering if he is up to climbing at all. By the time we're all ready, Gerry is feeling better and we all head off into the dawn. It's beautiful, the sky is clear, and although the snow is deep, breaking trail is not too difficult. We make good time on the first section. 
It is all steep snowfields up the side of the mountain today, and we zig-zag our way up. 
As we ascend, the pace gets slower and slower. 
It is hard work, and Gerry is struggling to breath and his head is pounding again. 
We keep slogging on - it may be slow and tough, but it is beautiful. We get within sight of the col, which would mark our turning point to the ridge up to the summit, but heavy winds and snow blow in. 
We debate for a few minutes but it is clear we won't get to the summit through this so we turn back. 
We spent the first while wondering if we gave up too easily, but the snow turns very heavy and it becomes clear we made the right call. When we get to the bottom we see people heading back to the refuge from all directions.
It is all steep snowfields up the side of the mountain today, and we zig-zag our way up. As we ascend, the pace gets slower and slower. It is hard work, and Gerry is struggling to breath and his head is pounding again. We keep slogging on - it may be slow and tough, but it is beautiful. We get within sight of the col, which would mark our turning point to the ridge up to the summit, but heavy winds and snow blow in. We debate for a few minutes but it is clear we won't get to the summit through this so we turn back. We spent the first while wondering if we gave up too easily, but the snow turns very heavy and it becomes clear we made the right call. When we get to the bottom we see people heading back to the refuge from all directions.We debated a night ascent to try to get to the summit before heading for home, but it is quickly clear that won't be an option - too much new snow has fallen for that. Gerry is still suffering too - so it is more important to try to get down to a lower altitude. We have lunch, and then pack our bags again, carrying anything we might want for the night on our backs, and start to trek back to Imlil.
No sooner did we set off - fully shielded against the worst expected wind, cold and snow - than the wind died down, the snow stopped and the sun came out. 
So off came the layers and on went the sunscreen!
Off we set again in stunning conditions, 
stopping only to take parting photographs.
So off came the layers and on went the sunscreen!Off we set again in stunning conditions, stopping only to take parting photographs.and to get the crampons back on again when the going got slippy! About half-way back, Gerry suddenly came back to life and the video diaries started again.
Finally got back to Imlil by 6ish - probably an 10 hour hike or so?! We had some dinner, chatted for a while, but headed wearily off to bed fairly promptly.
Finally got back to Imlil by 6ish - probably an 10 hour hike or so?! We had some dinner, chatted for a while, but headed wearily off to bed fairly promptly.
1 comment:
Man these photos are cool! It almost looks like we had great time - ha!
I've found myself becoming increasingly nostalgic about the trip remembering the dramatic peaks, harsh conditions and the occasional bluster of snow - but then I remember the headache!
I say headache (singular) because I don't think it ever went away. I think I had a headache of varying maddening pain for about 3 days solid!
But the views were spectacular.
Apologies for the naff name - it was an experiment with blog social networking that I was exploring at the time. Never intended on using it again.
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