Cafe Andino, Neil Young and Alan

Ah blogs. The best intentions, but the worst habits.

I have just quickly appropriated Alans computer, a Huaraz local, while we sit in the gringo hangout of Cafe Andino listening to classic Neil Young. Climbing the three stories of stairs is like walking into the Cheers bar where immediately previously met climbing friends are also hanging out doing nothing but sipping a bitter fresh lemonade, eating a salad, or researching their lonely planet.

Song update.. Sting Fields of gold. Love that song.

Anyway, will try and do something proper on here in a bit as I recover from a severe bout of the dios and other assorted maladies! Chao for now.

Huaraz

Hola, a quick update as have been busy with travelling to Lima and then getting to Huaraz (8 hr bus ride). Huaraz is at 3,000m so immediately after getting off the bus I was hit with the nausea of swaying side to side. That quickly resolved itself, but any significant exertion is met with rapid breathing (could be that I am just unfit!) and sometimes a minor headache.
That said, went to 3,800m today and tomorrow off to Laguna 69, which is at 4,500m. All of which is to help me acclimatise to the proper mountains that await. The first looks like it is going to be the classic acclimatisation mountain of Pisco at 5,800m or so. Mostly a walk up with two sections that may require pitching apparently. My partner at this stage is Ian Gough, a kiwi lad that also has found his way to Peru to spend time in the Cordillera Blanca for the dry season. Hopefully we will be able to line up some good mountains, so until then, chao.

Expedition humour

I came across several classic Monty Python skits the other day, hopefully not too similar to my own proceedings leading up to my impending expedition!

Mountain Climbing Expedition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdMV42czPCI

Hairdressers Expedition on Everest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F2SJS6B1wQ&NR=1

Counting down

Just over a week until departure now. A short update on the proceedings thus far include:

1/ several people to contact in Huaraz that I should be able to climb with
2/ local information on the conditions suggesting the CB is not as full of snow as previous years; one chap suggested it was closer to July conditions than June;
3/ my Espanol is getting marginally better (I can understand and speak simple sentences);
4/ my 'stuff list' is slowly diminishing, as is my bank account for such purchases! and
5/my rib injury is gone but so is my fitness with lots of farewell gatherings and excessive eating (though some suggest fattening up before climbing at altitude anyway!)

Hasta la vista, Scotito