Oct 11th, 2012 – 1,700 meters
Last night, we went directly to bed after dinner. Today's hike will prove to be challenging in many ways. The first being the presence of John Brooks. A westerner. Someone not used to high latitude climbing. I will, no doubt slow the the others down the higher we claim. But also we are packing in a lot of equipment as we are planning to be camped out for approximately 21 days. We will be able to pick up fresh supplies, like cheese, milk and eggs along the way at local villages we'll be passing, but, flour, cooking oil, propane, etc., has to be taken along with us.

This town of Civalai, is the the last town on the road leading into the mountains. We'll be walking approximately three hours up hill to the next town of Doralai (2,700 meters) and then down to the town of Ratnazoti, which sits at 2,100 meters. Just looking at where we have to travel makes me want to turn back. Lazy? Yeah, a little bit. But my mind and lungs recall walking in these mountains last year and how difficult it was for me. You think I would have learned my lesson instead of asking for more. It amazes me how compelling gravity can be when the amount of oxygen my body is used to taking in, is no longer present. My fear will pass, as will the time it takes to traverse this terrain. I'll just have to focus on each step and not look towards the destination, some 7 plus hours a head of us. When I remind myself that there are people who walk these mountains their entire lives, my prospective on what is challenging changes somewhat.

Leaving the town of Civalai.

Expedition crew taking a break

Girl in mountain town

Town of Doralai - 2,700 meters high

Town of Ratnazoti - 2,100 meters high

"Hotel" owner in village of Coolridara