From Climbing Kilimanjaro to Bouldering
Well done to Nicola Rowbotham who was selected as the 2009 fitness diarist for Shape magazine, and after months of training and preparation is about to set off on her demanding challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mount Kilimanjaro is 5895m high, and commands respect from mountaineers. Other than fitness, stamina, and enduring focus, climbing mountains also demands a high level of self discipline... and not just in the training. A significant number of people have had problems ascending Kilimanjaro, often due to altitude sickness. One of the main problems seems to be that fit and enthusiastic climbers ascend too quickly, not allowing their bodies to acclimatize to the increase in altitude properly. Whilst anyone can suffer from altitude sickness, not having the self restraint to take things at a steady pace definitely increases the chances of this occurring.
When you climb at altitude your body has to work a great deal harder to pump the reduced levels of oxygen around the body. Above 3500m I have personally found the affects of altitude significant enough to have you gasping for air on a technical climb and feeling like a lump of jelly. Above 5000m I have found the effects not only to be greatly intensified, with debilitating headaches, nausea, and nosebleeds but also the realisation that you are that much further away and less accessible from help should you need it. So every step upwards becomes not just one of extreme physical exertion, but also a step in mental commitment.
I for one will certainly be following her journey with enthusiasm, and wish her all the best on this great adventure. You can follow the journey on TheMediaOnline.
On a completely different end of the spectrum, bouldering is where it is at for extreme technical climbing these days. Over the last week Rosemary our two year old daughter accompanied Jeremy and myself on a bouldering adventure to one of the world's most famous bouldering venues. in my next blog I will be giving the 'low down' (and highs) of this unusual sport and our plans on how we hope to change the face of this elitist and rather esoteric sport into an activity that is popular and enjoyable for all.
Mount Kilimanjaro is 5895m high, and commands respect from mountaineers. Other than fitness, stamina, and enduring focus, climbing mountains also demands a high level of self discipline... and not just in the training. A significant number of people have had problems ascending Kilimanjaro, often due to altitude sickness. One of the main problems seems to be that fit and enthusiastic climbers ascend too quickly, not allowing their bodies to acclimatize to the increase in altitude properly. Whilst anyone can suffer from altitude sickness, not having the self restraint to take things at a steady pace definitely increases the chances of this occurring.
When you climb at altitude your body has to work a great deal harder to pump the reduced levels of oxygen around the body. Above 3500m I have personally found the affects of altitude significant enough to have you gasping for air on a technical climb and feeling like a lump of jelly. Above 5000m I have found the effects not only to be greatly intensified, with debilitating headaches, nausea, and nosebleeds but also the realisation that you are that much further away and less accessible from help should you need it. So every step upwards becomes not just one of extreme physical exertion, but also a step in mental commitment.
I for one will certainly be following her journey with enthusiasm, and wish her all the best on this great adventure. You can follow the journey on TheMediaOnline.
On a completely different end of the spectrum, bouldering is where it is at for extreme technical climbing these days. Over the last week Rosemary our two year old daughter accompanied Jeremy and myself on a bouldering adventure to one of the world's most famous bouldering venues. in my next blog I will be giving the 'low down' (and highs) of this unusual sport and our plans on how we hope to change the face of this elitist and rather esoteric sport into an activity that is popular and enjoyable for all.
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