Today we 'fell off' the alti plano - but only as far as 3000mts. Since 8th November we have been at 3,500mts or much higher. I think being on the alti plano will be similar to banging your head with a tin tray for an hour; not until you stop will you really know what it was like. Only once we leave it properly will we be able to know what it was really like.
Already there are some obvious changes with just this simple altitude change; the colour green reappears on the colour palette; although the sun is hot, it is not tattoo removal hot; trees return to the scene, when the wind blows you are not mindful that it will become a sandstorm or other major disruption to your travel plans.
It is as though the alti plano was anti-lanscape, like anti-matter.
I have a new found respect for mountaineers who climb at high elevation without oxygen - it must be tough up there. But can anyone explain this? Whilst a sprint up some steps will still leave me - if not exactly gasping - reaching for breath, biking up a 3000' climb causes no issues in the breathing department? I have read similar comments from other bikers, so it is not just us two. Perhaps it would be easier if mountaineers cycled up Everest rather than walked?
Posted with Blogsy
No comments:
Post a Comment