On the way to Shangri La...#7
In the mountains, one climbs high..sleeps low. Why? To let the body acclimatize to the altitude. We had descended to rest below and start our climb again.
The tents below are at about 5400 meters, as we look down on them.
Mount St. Elias is around 5490 meters. I think we are above that. What say you.
The climb is becoming hard, very hard for Rayyan. Each step takes a lot
of effort. Breathing also takes an effort. We take a different route. We are
at 5600 meters. Mt. Logan in the Yukon is around 5900 mts. Denali is 6200
meters. We are stepping into the land of the moraine. Thick Glacial ice, millions of years old. We walk over granite and ice. Slippery, have a fall
and the sharp granite will puncture your skin.
It is cold. The going is slow...very slow. The Guardians are watching. We feel it.
Climb high...sleep low. We shall have to retrace our steps. We are at 5750
meters. Climbing...over on the other side of the ' small ' rock on your extreme right. Slowly. very slowly. The Guardians of Shangri La do not give
up their secrets easily. They want to test you...to your limit; and then some more.
We are at 5800 meters...and climbing.