Bolivia, 25 April 2017, Chacaltaya, 5300 m asl
The first time when I thought I would die
3 steps - rest - 3 steps - rest. It was my way to the top. Why did I get in? Because I wanted to overcome the fear of heights, because I wanted to break the pain of the spine. I wanted to break my weaknesses once again.
I read, there is a wonderful, breathtaking view. How not to look - if there isn`t continuous climate change, it would be probably still the highest ski lift in the world. Now snow is a rarity on Chacaltaya.
Theoretically, I have acclimatized for a week. Atacama and Potosi were behind me. But it was only in La Paz that I felt what it means “soroche”. Although I had with me the steroid pills and other medicines we bought local pills in the pharmacy - very expensive because for tourists but they worked on. Whatever they contained. I could walk, or rather move, because with walking did not have much in common. The headache also became bearable.
A ramshackle small bus brought us up the hill. On Bolivia's winding, stony roads, only it managed to do it. Amazing views from all sides. So different from our European - empty, raw, Bolivian Andes. No villages, no people - only once a flock of vicunas and alpacas. We stopped at the small "glade" - probably the only flat place - that can be used to safely turn back by bus or taxi. We came out. The group moved forward. My 2 companions went with them. I was left alone.
3 steps - rest - 3 steps rest. I do not know how long I went to the place where there were remains of the lift. But I have never been so afraid - I was weak, I could not breathe, I already had a vision that I would fell down. Nobody would find me. But each time I was getting up and going on. I was doing the next three steps - despite the tears in my eyes. I kept telling myself that I could manage and gave. I was crawling - otherwise you can not say.
I was happy. And the view - yes, it's breathtaking - literally. We also were lucky - the peak was snowed. I missed the latest 500 meters in the snow - though I was puffed up with adrenaline - I said to myself “ stop”.
It is wonderful to vie for myself and win. Prove to myself that impossible does not exist and extend the frames imposed on myself.
