Atacama Crossing Blogs 2016

David Grosse

10

Posts

Atacama Crossing (2016) blog posts from David Grosse

09 October 2016 09:42 am (GMT-04:00) Santiago

As Madonna sang

Comments: Total (2) comments

Scott Greenwood

Posted On: 09 Oct 2016 12:58 pm

Well done DG! As for the Viscacha (and the Atacama).....que esta detras de usted!

Ken and Ros Rose

Posted On: 09 Oct 2016 11:08 am

Mmmmmm....................... Love, Mum & Ken

07 October 2016 12:43 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Got in at 1.09 this morning after having set off at 8

Comments: Total (5) comments

jim gollogly

Posted On: 10 Oct 2016 04:34 am

Well done again, David...even though you are living in England now, you can still handle the weather...but perhaps for your next effort, how about the Svalbard crossing...you might be acclimatised for that? We really think you've done a great job, and earned your next year of beer drinking...but then? cheers, and thanks for all the support, jim

Sarah Furby

Posted On: 08 Oct 2016 03:39 pm

So very nearly another one cracked

Ken and Ros Rose

Posted On: 08 Oct 2016 10:00 am

Amazing! Well done! We are proud of you. We envy you that night sky. The 8th OCT today; must be auspicious and foretells a good run-in today for that well earned cold beer!

Scott Greenwood

Posted On: 08 Oct 2016 06:08 am

Well done DG! Glad your feet and good humour have survived relatively intact. Enjoy the final leg and the well deserved beer at the finish line. Cheers, The Greenwood Gang

Sharon Grosse

Posted On: 08 Oct 2016 05:22 am

Very well done, a tremendous effort. Always good to look back after the event but first look forward to the finish line and the cold ones. All love Sx

05 October 2016 02:02 am (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Very short blog for day 4 coz it is late and I have to do feet, eat, etc.

Comments: Total (9) comments

Sharon Grosse

Posted On: 07 Oct 2016 01:28 pm

You've done it! Long March kicked and now a short hop over the line. Well done and.....never again?? All love Sx

T Rajah

Posted On: 07 Oct 2016 07:21 am

Almost there DG and you are doing great. keep going bud..

Andy Reynolds

Posted On: 06 Oct 2016 10:38 pm

Nice one DG. You know what's coming on the long one - slow and steady. You are doing great, it looks brutal. Fore said he breezed through the long day when he did it so you should be fine. Good luck mate.

Burger Flipper

Posted On: 06 Oct 2016 03:22 pm

Good work DG, keep on truckin'. The lunar landscape on the long day makes it all worth it! Top effort so far! Enjoy night sky on the rest day before running it in on Saturday morning for those beers. 4

Ken and Ros Rose

Posted On: 06 Oct 2016 12:31 pm

Pictures all look as though you're walking in the Moon but albeit with more gravity? Salt an added pleasure today by all accounts. We keep praying about heat & feet (feat?); it is National Poetry Day today. We are thinking of you on the long walk today and the euphoria that will follow ! Good luck and love, Mum & Ken

Alison Streeter

Posted On: 06 Oct 2016 09:06 am

So impressed. There is no doubt you will get over that finish line, so one stride at a time. Thinking of you especially on your long session today. Streeters x

William Grosse

Posted On: 06 Oct 2016 07:23 am

Sorry I didn't message you at the last stage- Our entire dormitory was given a "tidy satis" by the cleaners and "Hutcho", meaning all electronics were removed and we had to have a slip signed 4 times a day by the monitors. Hope your feet are not falling to bits and you are making good progress. William x. (Still no news on Derby manager)

Vivian The Viscacha

Posted On: 06 Oct 2016 06:01 am

Hola Senor.....many thanks for your good humour and company

Sharon Grosse

Posted On: 06 Oct 2016 05:25 am

Delighted to hear that you got into camp safely. You know what to expect for the long one and once that's done you'll be able to smell the beer beckoning. Keep plodding on, no real news from here. All love Sxx

04 October 2016 11:36 am (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Stage 3 done

Comments: Total (8) comments

Sarah Furby

Posted On: 05 Oct 2016 07:07 pm

You never fail to amaze....keep powering on brave bro.....thought of you lots today as the autumn afternoon felt desiccated here too. You're gonna look wonderfully trim in your suit when we see you next xxx

Ken and Ros Rose

Posted On: 05 Oct 2016 11:06 am

Mojo on sale on ebay what Price? You are doing very well without and we are proud of you. Keep it up! We are cheering from the sidelines and know that you will come through with flying colours!

jim gollogly

Posted On: 05 Oct 2016 07:02 am

David...you keep going back for more....like Lawrence in the desert....you just love it....so we'll just ignore all these moans, because you'll be there again... slog on lad! beer at the end... jim

Wubin R

Posted On: 05 Oct 2016 06:19 am

Dg, well done! Half way through already! Cold beers are closer - day by day, step by step! Keep walking!

Sharon Grosse

Posted On: 05 Oct 2016 05:59 am

Another day cracked., another day nearer the finish. Try and leave that green thing that sits on your shoulder behind in camp, it will lighten the load. Planted bulbs yesterday after chores with mum. Keep up the good effort. V proud of you. All love from a very quite home. Sharon xx

James Shortis

Posted On: 05 Oct 2016 04:15 am

Well done DG! good to hear you are still in high spirits and have (seemingly) mastered the left foot then right foot then repeat skillset required. As we all know, the 4th stage is the most important and foremost memorable - so bear that in mind. All the best with your Viscacha hunting!

Andy Reynolds

Posted On: 05 Oct 2016 03:35 am

DG, great work old bean. Sounds like another walk in the park for you. You know the drill, 3 days down, can't stop now - onward and upward. Wish I was there, but looks like we have to wait for Patagonia?

Dan Chavasse

Posted On: 05 Oct 2016 02:44 am

DG Well done mate! I am sure you have rediscovered your mojo. Wasn't it Redgrave who said (after the fourth gold) put a gun to my head if I say i want to do this again...so go out there and get over the line!! We are all counting on you to finish in style.

03 October 2016 12:53 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Day 2 done

Comments: Total (6) comments

Ken and Ros Rose

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 02:35 pm

Well Done! It was certainly hard graft today. Make good use of the recovery time and look after those hotspots - Mum is worrying! We think that you should be spared of all Ryder Cup and Derby County news until the race is over. suggest you bring the next viscacha home with you it seems to have its uses. Love, Mum & Ken

Chris Barber

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 01:43 pm

I had forgotten you were doing this until I sent an email about my running the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday and Sharon reminded me of this. It does put other "achievements" in perspective. Anyway on the basis that there is a bit of Monty Python for all absurd situations..... TIM: Well, that's no ordinary rabbit! ARTHUR: Ohh. TIM: That's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on! ROBIN: You tit! I soiled my armor I was so scared! TIM: Look, that rabbit's got a vicious streak a mile wide! It's a killer! Be careful out there.

Sharon Grosse

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 12:48 pm

Two days done. Feet fully taped and ready to go? Great pic of you in one of the updates. All looks impressive as is your effort. Off to plant bulbs. All love shazza zz

Alison Streeter

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 06:59 am

All sounds very taxing - especially the search for the big hairy thing! Respect for even completing each stage. Must be worth it for such a good cause and the stunning scenery too. Keep it up. Much love. Streeters x

William Grosse

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 06:57 am

Sigh. With 7 hours out walking to think I expect a slightly higher quality joke. be sure to retape your feet, as, i'm sure we all know , failing to do this is the largest mistake made by newbies to ultramarathons. Good luck for the next stages, love you. xx

Scott Greenwood

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 06:06 am

Two down, three to go DG! Ryder Cup was epic. Poor start on day one by Europe going down 4-0 in the Foursomes, then fighting back to 61/2-51/2 on Saturday morning. The Yanks then stretched away to a 17-11 win over the final two rounds. Europe were within a point on the singles on Sunday afternoon. A fair bit of banter and rowdiness through the weekend between crowd and players. Lee Westwood commented after his final round "On a good point, I got called a turd yesterday, which is the first time since I was about 12 years old, so it made me feel young again!" On another note, are you sure you are hunting angry Chinchilla's and not the killer rabbit of Caerbannog..... nasty, big pointy teeth you know! Cheers Scott & the Greenwood Gang

02 October 2016 05:05 am (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Day 1 done in c7.15 hrs I think. It followed the time honoured sequence

Comments: Total (4) comments

T Rajah

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 02:40 pm

Great going DG. Remember, "Running takes balls. Other sports just play with them." The scenery look amazing and I am sure there are therapeutic … the story line about the Rabbit is hilarious. As you can see they are lot more versatile than a simple bunch line for 7’s… By the time you read this msg you would have completed more than half the track and you’re almost there. Keep going bud. Run DG Run…

Sharon Grosse

Posted On: 03 Oct 2016 02:21 pm

Good steady start, well done. We have a bit of your sunshine today. Took William back to school after brace tightening. Ryder Cup was disappointing. Hope today goes well. All love S&W xx

Ken and Ros Rose

Posted On: 03 Oct 2016 10:29 am

Sorry about The Rams - seem to be lacking fertility somehow this season! Exeter even more so! What is a viscacha? Terrain sounds terrific and we envy you the night sky! Love Mum & Ken

William Grosse

Posted On: 03 Oct 2016 06:57 am

Stage 1 completed-- only 4 more to go! Try not to be disgruntled, at least not as much as the Viscacha del Atacama. As for the receding hair line, I hear there lives in these parts of the world a small rodent that looks like a toupee, better watch out for those. best of luck for the next stages, as for me I've spent my exceat weekend slumped in a chair in front of sky tv, watching all manner of sports. Sunday's Results: Manchester United 1-1 Stoke City (hahaha) Leicester City 0-0 Southampton Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Manchester City Burnley 0-1 Arsenal (It was a handballed goal) But most importantly: Derby County 1-1 Reading Vydra 62 min., Evans 90 min.--(damn) COYR "Best wishes" Love from William xx

29 September 2016 08:44 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

San Pedro de Atacama is a place that seems at ease with itself

Comments: Total (4) comments

Ken Rose

Posted On: 01 Oct 2016 11:46 am

Glad that you met up with your luggage (& breakfast)! If our geography is correct it should be down hill all the way from now on! We expect you to be fluent in Spanglish on returning to UK. Good luck and love, Mum & Ken

Ros and Ken Rose

Posted On: 01 Oct 2016 11:37 am

Glad that you so fortuitously met up with your luggage (& your breakfast). If our geography is right it should be downhill all the way from now on! We expect you to be a fluent Spanglish speaker from now on! Love Mum & Ken

Scott Greenwood

Posted On: 01 Oct 2016 07:17 am

Sounds amazing DG. Keep up the good humour. Buena Suerte!

Sharon Grosse

Posted On: 01 Oct 2016 06:52 am

Day 1 is almost here and trust the kit inspection and feet taping have gone smoothly . Grey, and dritzly morning here. Donkeys are nee nor-ing and William is still sleeping. Enjoy the anticipation and countdown to the start. S&W xx

28 September 2016 09:25 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

After 31 hours of travel I am here in San Pedro, and feeling vaguely normal after a cold shower.

Comments: Total (0) comments

12 September 2016 08:01 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

I am not convinced i have taken the training for this one quite as seriously as i should. But better undertrained than overtrained i say. Only 2 more weeks until i fly to Chile, so i had better start tapering off from my taper based training.

I have made the momentous decision to go for the rehydrated apple & custard dessert as my brekkie.

Comments: Total (0) comments

07 August 2016 04:39 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

56 days to go - oops - better get cracking on the training then.

The question i am always asked is why?

Well - as William Blake nearly said, but didn't quite:

"Great things are done when men and deserts

Comments: Total (2) comments

Gareth Brownson

Posted On: 25 Aug 2016 02:52 pm

Looking forward to following your progress. This race is definitely on my hit List!

Jacqi Liddiard

Posted On: 14 Aug 2016 08:05 pm

Hi David !! I'm with you on the training, time to get down! Hope everything goes well for you and I'll see you in the desert!