Our to-climb-or-not-to-climb argument reached its climax when I finally found out what a "via ferrata" was. David had described it as "like a ladder" going down, "with steps and things". Then I saw the video. Harnessed in, you crawl over cliffs and balance over wire tightropes, all with hundred foot drops in the background. "Are you kidding me?" I asked, "I'm not doing that, I'm afraid of heights!" "How are you afraid of heights, we used to go rock climbing." "I only did that because I wanted you to like me." I'm not so much afraid of heights, but they make me dizzy and nauseous, and then I picture myself losing my balance and toppling over, plunging to an undignified death. So I just really try to avoid that feeling. "The Highest Via Ferrata In The World!" all the posters boasted throughout the base camp. David had failed to mention this, too.
I also found out that morning that this ropes course thing doesn't take us to the bottom of the mountain, it just takes you back to base camp. The long way around. I'm doing this for David, I reminded myself.
That first step is a doozy.
David kept saying "Wow, look at the view! Look down!" I just responded with "No thank you", and climbed on, staring only at the rock in front of me. Here was my view:
Or up, sometimes I looked up.
It was a moment like this when one of Jerry Seinfeld's bits comes to mind. "Another great activity where your main goal is to... not die."
"Don't die, don't die don't die don't die, there's a tree there's a rock who cares don't die..."
Rest stop! Starting to strip down the layers, it's getting warmer...
Notice David hanging out comfortably, and me clinging to the wall.
The last small hurdle was a balance beam. Not a problem after the tightrope walking.
Almost there!
Another hour or so and we were back for our "western-style" Second Breakfast at base camp. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, this time with the addition of franks and beans. What do these people think Westerners eat? Though I've learned that a Western-style breakfast to Asians pretty much means "not noodles".
Next - Am I Doing Permanent Damage To My Knees? Otherwise known as the final descent.
Another hour or so and we were back for our "western-style" Second Breakfast at base camp. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, this time with the addition of franks and beans. What do these people think Westerners eat? Though I've learned that a Western-style breakfast to Asians pretty much means "not noodles".
Next - Am I Doing Permanent Damage To My Knees? Otherwise known as the final descent.
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