Day 3 - Clemence

During the last 24 hours I've had a far more attention from Clemence, our Doctor, than I would like. The little cold I picked up a week before leaving home has moved onto my chest and my throat is raw. In normal circumstances this would be trival, however, with restricted breathing this has brought on altitude sickness. My head feels like it wants to explode and this afternoon I have been nauseous. Clemence has been great, a very kind, softly spoken, visually like a black little Buddha. He has given me Cold cap and a course of antibiotics.

However, this a minor distraction to the subject of diamoxine to ease my altitude sickness. This is not a pleasant drug nor without danger. I do not want to take it besides i have just begun the climb it is far to early to be considering such a measure.

On a lighter note today was a gentler walk across the lava fields. We even had the novelty of a downhill section into camp. Unfortunately the weather turned at lunch time so we have not been able to enjoy the spectacular views of Kikelewa Caves. I struggled with the walk feeling very weak even drunk I really had to pace myself, even so all I could do was sleep this afternoon and had for the first time contemplated the possibility of failure.

I am pleased to report the rest of the team are doing well and in good spirit and providing me with great support.

Tomorrow is a big day 700m ascent. I am hoping that a goods night sleep will ease the situation as they say it can be a good thing to experience problems early in the climb. I am so determined to do this

PS I hope to reads ok as I know my mind and emotions are very scrambled right now - altitude!

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device