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It’s 11pm on Tuesday night in Malta. I’ve been to the movies and had a few glasses of wine with friends. This morning I had breakfast, went about my errands, did some work, fed and walked the dogs. I’ve checked my emails, played a few rounds of Scrabble on facebook and am now getting ready for bed. Quite a mundane day on the whole. Nothing extraordinary about it except that throughout it all my mind’s been trying to picture Marco slogging through the ice and snow, one heavy step after the other, often in pitch dark, very very slowly making his way to the top with the rest of the team.
They set off for the summit last night. They stopped at Camp 1 to get what rest they could and in half an hour they’ll be setting off again in pitch dark towards Camp 2.
They set off for the summit last night. They stopped at Camp 1 to get what rest they could and in half an hour they’ll be setting off again in pitch dark towards Camp 2.
They aim to reach the summit by Thursday morning so this time tomorrow they will be on the final 18 hour gruelling trek to the top. I’ve seen the videos and I’ve read the books but sitting here in the comfort of our home I find it almost impossible to imagine. It all seems very unreal to me.
How could it be that while I’m all snug and safe in bed my husband is on the other side of the world battling the elements, struggling to find the physical and mental strength to keep going? It would not feel so weird if I could at least have the comfort of picturing him zipped up in his ultra thick sleeping bag, hermetically sealed inside the lightweight tent which I know from experience provides you with the illusion of protection from any horrors lurking outside. But alas no such comfort is forthcoming in the dead of night because I know he’s out there in the dead of night, for reasons which at 2:00am escape me!
Another day and one more night to get through and then, pray, the phone call which will mean he’s on the way down the mountain and back home. There’s a lot to be said for mundane sometimes y’know.
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Marco Cremona Blog
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8 comments
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Tuesday, 29 September 2009 04:50
posted by Marco Cremona
Hi babe. Thanks for your support.
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I would not have gone through this if i did not know that I had your full support and encouragement. It was a long 4-5 weeks, satisfying yes, but terribly hard at times.
Dying to get back home to take the dogs for a walk (not a long one !) and sipping that cappuccino on a sunday morning at Ghajn Tuffieha.
xx
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Sunday, 27 September 2009 10:18
posted by Al
Joanne - now you can breathe a long sigh of relief. I am very happy that Marco is succeeding in fulfilling his ambitions. Andy is exceptionally proud of him!
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Take care...at least they got to the summit earlier thab scheduled so hopefully that would mean that they'll be home sooner??!!
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Friday, 25 September 2009 22:34
posted by Ange
Hi Carlos,
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Spoke to Challenge8000 team and they have asked around BC re: the Argentinian team... It is believed that the team that you have enquired about is on their way back to Kathmandu - they left a few days ago.
Hope you have managed to make contact with them and that they are doing OK.
Ange
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Friday, 25 September 2009 09:57
posted by
Administrator
Thanks to All for your continued support. Mr Gonzalez, I will ask the team about the Argentinian expedition. Meanwhile send me your contact details on press@challenge8000.net please and I will come back to you as soon as I have a reply.
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Thursday, 24 September 2009 14:00
posted by
Carlos González (Argentina)
Dear Malta Challenge 8000:
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I'm getting in touch with you from Alpinismonline.com, diffusion site for the Mar del Plata expedition to the Himalaya, that is at this moment operating in the Cho Oyu along with you.
We need to know if you have contact with the Argentinian expedition at this moment. If you do, I would kindly ask you to let us know some information, since the contact through satellite phone is very complicated right now, and the families are not receiving news from them since a couple of days ago.
Thank you very much in advance and congratulations for your summit.
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Thursday, 24 September 2009 09:58
posted by Elizabeth Gatt
My comment is not only to your text, but to the entire story, I am so happy for all of you and will be keeping my fingers crossed for them to come back home now. Just wanted to share this thought with you: one person on hearing they reached the top said: one more step and they would reach the gate of heaven and the other addedd: for them it is the gate of heaven, so I wish them to return from heaven on our earth now, among the patiently waiting supporters.
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Elizabeth Gatt (Robert's sister in law)
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Thursday, 24 September 2009 00:57
posted by jo
thanks Nat. It's tough being the one at home waiting for news but I wouldn't change places with them for anything!!! haven't got the gene!
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Wednesday, 23 September 2009 14:38
posted by
Natalie Debono
dear Jo
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thanks for sharing your thoughts with us and giving us a peep into what the other person feels...the ones who are left behind to worry.
nawgura kuragg lilek u sahha fizika u mentali kbira lil zewgek u lil shabu ghal din ic-challenge
Nat x
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