Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Trying to climb a 19,347 feet Volcano

I have had a fever for two days before I started this trip and am probably at 50% fitness levels. My head has a constant headache because of the elevation (I am in Quito, capital of Ecuador, 10000ft above sea level). The illness makes it difficult for me to acclimatize.
The practice hike up Pinchincha (15,500 feet, 8 hours) that I complete on a gallop last year, took my last ounce of energy yesterday.
Today is a rest day. Tomorrow we go to the base camp which is at around 16,000 feet. And on Friday, we try to summit Mount Cotopaxi.
But right now, I am wearing Bergen wicking clothes, red bandana, cool shoes, and sitting in a internet cafe near my hotel in downtown Quito. Nirvana lits up the background.
I am a Wharton venture fellow and thus am leading the expedition. I have two jobs. One, faciliate the experience for the participants. Two, climb that summit. My 2nd job is a personal whim and my first one is the real reason Wharton sent me here. And I am doing that one.
Now, the question is, will I overcome fever, cold, altitude sickness and general weakness to make it to the top?
My life is so fun!

3 comments:

Ashish Chordia said...

How did it go? Am dying to find out.

Deep down I think I know you will summit.

Punit Soni's Adventures in VCland said...

I did my man...I did:)
Summited and got back safely.

Punit Soni's Adventures in VCland said...

I did my man...I did:)
Summited and got back safely.