K2 One week to go

NB. update 13 May 2010…for any K2 or Karakoram climbers in the 2010 season I have three new cylinders of Poisk oxygen in Skardu that are for sale email Sean on venture@hot.co.za 

Just under a week left and Sean’s been hearing troubling news from Pakistan – there’s the threat of the Taliban but Sean’s more worried about missing his espresso machine and hot cross bun. What’s been going through his mind the last few days is about how much preparation it takes to climb a mountain like K2, because no matter how fit you are, the big question is – are you strong enough and well enough to work in the “Death Zone” above 8000 meters.

Sean Wisedale in the Green Room

Sean feels strong physically and psychologically. Yesterday he went for his inoculations for typhoid, tetanus and hepatitis but these still might not be enough to defend him from the myriad of viruses and infections that one pulls on an expedition like this. Sean’s aunt, Marion Seabrook, is a doctor and she’s been helping him prepare his medical kit which includes 6 different types of antibiotics, ranging from Moxypen to Flagyl. He’ll be taking heaps of aspirin, paracetamol, ibuprofen, anti-inflammatories like Coxflam and painkillers in the event of a trauma. He’ll also be taking Dexmethasone which is the drug climbers take in the event of high altitude cerebral oedema – hopefully he’ll never have to use it.

This morning, Sean cycled from Durban to Scottburgh and with all the cycling, he’s developed ITB on his right knee. So he’s taking the rest of the week off…maybe heading down to the beach house in Clansthal, South Coast and because there is good surf predicted on Monday and Tuesday – the timing is perfect.

This Tuesday night, we paddled our regular 16km time trial across the harbour. Because it gets so dark so early in Durban, we’ve decided that we’re going to paddle with a head torch in future. The training benefit being the upperbody cardiovascular workout. It’s good to alternate muscle groups in training so it gives one group of muscles time to recover. On the weekend, we’ll be paddling a 20 km race as part of the surf ski series -this paddling and surfing is what Sean will be missing most as he makes his way up the icy slopes.

In the next blog, we’re going to do a piece on the gear, food and camera equipment that Sean will be taking.

Tags: Death Zone, Durban, K2, Pakistan, Scottburgh