Mountain Musing
Another Return
Schooled by the Teacher
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In an effort to set a tone of enthusiasm and commitment to the season of winter climbing ahead, Anders and I decided to head into the mountains as early as possible with the plan to scout routes and learn the general geography of Ala Archa National Park. After a quick shopping trip and shockingly easy taxi negotiations we set off. Our goal was to hike into the Ratsek hut by nightfall, fill our bellies, and get to sleep early in an effort to maximize our time exploring Uchitel, the easiest peak to scramble up in the immediate area around Ratsek. Uchitel means teacher in Russian and at 4527m it is just that. An easy hiking trail leads to the summit and even though I should have known better, I made the assumption that we could run up early in the morning, and be back in time for tea. Apparently a combination of two months of almost zero cardio, 4 days of being in transit, 4 more days of poor quality sleep, a significant dietary change, coupled with altitudes I had not previously experienced was not a recipe for success.
Surprise!
It was humbling and frustrating to be hiking up easy third class trails with no pack and a steady heart rate of 180 beats per minute. Anders was patient, and if he was annoyed with my slow progress he didn't show it. It was terribly hard not to think that perhaps I had misrepresented myself as a climber and that I would be thought of as a bit of a poser. With lots of time on the descent to think about our hike my thoughts came back what I have always known. Their is no room for an inflated ego in the mountains and that I had simply to grow from the experience and use the accentuation of my weaknesses as a tool to know what to work on in the future. The conditions that led to my weak showing are not excuses, but merely facts. Next time I will attempt to bring more favorable personal conditions to the mountains with me, but I will be ready to fail. Whether a goal is accomplished or not, the reason for entering the alpine is the same for me. Success or failure change nothing. I am sure that many people would disagree with this statement, especially in the soviet climbing culture that is still prevalent here. That is fine. I suspect this winter of climbing will be full of surprises, regardless of training hard, preparing well, and researching thoroughly the routes we hope to climb. I am now ready to accept these surprises, regardless of how they may make me feel inadequate and weak.
More than likely you came here looking for pictures of my adventures. Unfortunately despite remembering my camera, a spare memory card, a polarizing filter and a lens clothe, my battery remained safely on its charger in Anders living room throughout the duration of our hike. Oops. Next time! Well if a picture is worth any words at all, I would be writing for many days attempting to describe the beauty of the Ak Sai Mountains. Nobody wants that. I promise I will bring my camera next time.
Dan
(The attached photo is taken from the Summit Ridge of Uchitel on a subsequent, succesful trip.)
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