30 June 2008
RealTime Monitoring
|
 |
2004 Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge. Commentary by Brad.
 |
|
 |
| What a weekend!! It was uncomfortably warm for most climbers, but increasingly dangerous for those of us who can't deal with heat. Quadriplegics have difficultly in hot weather, period. We can't sweat, or regulate temperature in any way. Most quadz can't leave the house in this heat. Now, add hours sitting in the blazing sun, doing many, many chin ups. Being the only quadriplegic getting on walls, I get to figure out how all these medical issues mix with the vertical world. Fun, fun... |
|
So, no new records this climb. This was the first time we have had to back off a route. We started at six in the morning, was carried in under twenty minutes. (Actually, that is a new record for the carry in crew, shaving off ten minutes from last year.) The plan was to get the up to the ledges and out of the sun before it got too hot, but a mechanical failure cost us two hours to repair before we could get going again. |
 |
|
 |
On the fifth pitch I was getting into real trouble. Last year heat was not an issue because of the high winds, and I was able to bounce back from bouts with "Autonomic Dysreflexia", but this was different. After getting shelter from the sun, helmet off and doused with water, my blood pressure dropped forty points. Still, after taking several high blood pressure and heart rate measurements in a row, it was clear I was not going to be able to recover and continue onto the harder climbing above us. It was not a hard decision to make, but I could not avoid thinking about how much effort it was for the team to rig the route. (At least Wayne got to jug the full route to the top, for which he asked me to extend his thanks!)
Before the climb day few people, myself included, had strange feelings before that our trend of doubling height and halving our times could never be sustained. I was due for a spanking. My disappointment faded very quickly. Many lessons learned the hard way. Better to find and solve these issues now than on a really big wall were backing off is not an option! Better safe than dead—the Chief was here before us and will be there for a long after we're gone. Lots of summers left to try, try again. |
|
Everyone involved had a great weekend despite having to get out of the hot sun. I spent the week recovering and making notes on all of the great ideas/solutions from the team. With all these generous, over qualified people it is just a question of time before we get to the top. I'd like to detail all the efforts people put in, but that would fill volumes. All I can do is to try to thank you individually.
The vision was originally for me to get climbing without a huge support team and just go have fun with my climbing partners. Well, that can happen for smaller climbs, but for now we must consider each trip to the Grand Wall a full on expedition. Then after talking with the film crew it became clear that we need to expand the documentary to a feature. We can't tell this story without showing the massive efforts from Team Vertical. Throwing money at the mechanical issues would fix those show stoppers, but this project is fueled by inspired people. I just hope I can convey to everyone how much they are appreciated and how truly grateful I am. Volunteering for a cause you believe in does bring great rewards, and the team is growing every year (and yes, we are always looking for more help!). |
|
