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Atacama Crossing Blogs 2016

Mark Russell

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Atacama Crossing (2016) blog posts from Mark Russell

03 October 2016 09:12 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

Hello folks. Well sad to say but this particular adventure has come to a premature end. The headaches didn't diminish and I had a fun night of nausea and vomiting. For once I listened to my inner sensible person and decided not to start stage 2. Starting 27 miles in the desert already dehydrated and calorie deficient didn't seem the right choice for me. Still it's been a great week. I have met some great people - Kevin, Dirk, Shelley, Patrick, Harriet, Kirk, Steve, Graham and Alex to name just a few. Best wishes and respect to all still out there. It's a tough tough race. Thanks also to Zeana and the whole 4deserts crew. The Atacama is a unique environment - unforgiving and beautiful in equal measure.

Comments: Total (15) comments

Richard Houghton

Posted On: 07 Oct 2016 04:17 am

Sand and water sounds rather civilized... as opposed to sand and sand, with a bit more sand thrown in for good measure. Nothing but admiration for you. You pushed the envelope. The envelope pushed back... and the envelope won. You are a true friend to a world of down trodden envelopes who are constantly being pushed around......

Sandra Bechan

Posted On: 07 Oct 2016 02:51 am

I think you killed it - guts and glory!

Jon Gannon

Posted On: 06 Oct 2016 11:20 am

MR, what can I say! Those desert races know how to break you. Sorry this one ended in the fashion it did, but sounds like a sensible choice. Hope you're enjoying some down time, it's not always the finish but the journey and yours just took a different path. Sure it's been an adventure!

Laura Hamilton

Posted On: 05 Oct 2016 05:13 pm

What a complete bummer! But you are right to take care of yourself and do the sensible thing. There is always another crazy adventure around the corner!! Take care of yourself and try to enjoy the time you have in Chile. We look forward to hearing the stories upon your return.

Mike Winstanley

Posted On: 05 Oct 2016 02:27 pm

Glad to see head winning over heart for a change. Sit back in the shade - relax and enjoy being an idle fellow while you can. Love from me and Sue.

Stuart Welburn

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 08:37 pm

Hi mate. Sad to hear that you have had to pull out but I'm glad that you're being sensible for once. Enjoy the rest of your stay there. Stu

Michael Cromm

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 08:19 pm

Hi Mark, that you listened to your body deserves even more respect than your decision to sign up for this adventure in the first place. Next time will be different, I am sure! Enjoy the beach and safe travels back. Michael

Veronica Sawyer

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 07:55 pm

Bummed to hear but surprised your "sensible-self" came to a reason with the elements and your health. Your family needs you back home healthy I am sure your thinking about the next adventure already! Safe travels, V

Larry Marciano

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 05:23 pm

"sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you" sounds like a great yet challenging experience. Safe travels back to NY. Sounds like a beach side bar is the perfect place to address your altitude issues.

Christian Dierks

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 05:12 pm

Good to hear you are on your way to the beach. Relax and keep on drinking water!!! You need to be very relaxed back next week....What an adventure...

Jonathan Barnett

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 03:51 pm

bad luck mate - you gave it your best shot, no-one can take that away from you. Altitude sickness is a b8gger (been there.!) but you must always listen to your body. As they say in climbing "the mountain will always be there"; for you, my friend, the desert will always be there.. safe travels back

Gloria Powell

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 01:17 pm

Mark.. Still a great accomplishment... You tackled the lion, completed day 1 and it's an adventure you will never forgot. Your health and safety comes first...Try to enjoy the rest of your trip.

Scott Moorley

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 07:46 am

Mate, gutted for you. Glad you're OK though. Put it down to experience! Great effort just getting there and going for it. Not sure about "love you loads" - like you a lot!

Chung Winstanley

Posted On: 04 Oct 2016 01:02 am

Agree on both counts ... safety first ... and love you loads!!! And when you tell me that your next endeavour is to conquer Everest, I believe I'm therein supposed to add some rational thought! Whatever 'the next thing', you always have our support! x

Lynn Bennetts

Posted On: 03 Oct 2016 09:28 pm

You did your best and only thing that matters is you are safe and well. Kept thinking about you today....love you loads

02 October 2016 04:14 am (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Day 1

Comments: Total (8) comments

Tracy Keeping

Posted On: 03 Oct 2016 08:20 pm

congratulations on getting through day 1 and as I write this you should be half way through day 2. Hope it is all going well and the headaches have subsided - take care and I look forward to reading all about day 2 tomorrow. you mad fool ;-)

Florian Weispfenning

Posted On: 03 Oct 2016 03:57 pm

Keep going, Mark! This is all most amazing!

Larry Marciano

Posted On: 03 Oct 2016 01:30 pm

Keep going strong!!

Gloria Powell

Posted On: 03 Oct 2016 12:23 pm

Hang in there. First day is always a shocker to the body. Great accomplishment!! the rest of the days will fall into place. You GOT This....:)

Kieran Hobbs

Posted On: 03 Oct 2016 11:25 am

Hang in there Mark, you are still acclimatising. Eat well, sleep well!

Lynn Bennetts

Posted On: 03 Oct 2016 06:32 am

Well done Marco- get a good nights rest and will be thinking of you tomorrow! Xxx

Max Winstanley

Posted On: 03 Oct 2016 03:11 am

What mum said but in my voice

Chung Winstanley

Posted On: 03 Oct 2016 03:09 am

Congrats on making it through your first day and happily relieved to hear from you! Would have been surprised if you'd said it wasn't tough!!! Don't like the constant headache bit...a little worrisome...hopefully with a good sleep, lots of water and a slightly lighter backpack, you'll have a less-tough (is that even possible?) second day! Take care and will anxiously await your next update tomorrow! Love from all of us! x

01 October 2016 02:09 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

Off to starting line shortly at 10,500 feet. Safety briefings complete, equipment check shortly. A chilly night ahead in a tent - around zero Celsius. My first freeze dried meal of the week and then the fun kicks off at 8am tomorrow morning. It should be highly entertaining....... I hope. Hope y'all have as good a week as I will!

Comments: Total (7) comments

Xanthe Winstanley

Posted On: 02 Oct 2016 07:28 pm

I love you Dad! You're going to do absolutely fantastic, and I know you'll have the best time doing it (through the pain of running a marathon a day). This is one of the many reasons I look up to you <3

Lynn Bennetts

Posted On: 02 Oct 2016 05:19 pm

Thought of you a number of times today!! Hope all is ok! Be sensible! Xxxxxx

Scott Moorley

Posted On: 02 Oct 2016 04:13 pm

Good luck mate! Thinking of you. Stay safe.

Fatma Amour

Posted On: 02 Oct 2016 02:08 pm

Good luck & enjoy!

Stuart Welburn

Posted On: 02 Oct 2016 12:16 pm

Good luck Mark. Thinking of you. Stu

Nick Farley

Posted On: 02 Oct 2016 09:56 am

Good luck Mate - think you will need it!

Max Winstanley

Posted On: 01 Oct 2016 11:45 pm

Hopefully you don't become a freeze dried meal in the desert. Looking forward to more of these updates to comment on. Good Luck!

30 September 2016 11:43 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

Last full rest day. Much attention paid to hydration, food and sleep. Most people now here. Met virtually all my tent co-dwellers for the next week plus many Brits, Americans, Danes and so on.

Comments: Total (0) comments

29 September 2016 08:56 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

San Pedro filling up with runners. Easily done since there are only about 4 streets. Last 36 hours have basically been eat, hydrate, pack bag, unpack bag, sleep, repeat. And walking around the 4 streets to gradually acclimatize. Dozens of tour operators enticing us to visit desert wonders. I think I'll see enough of those over the next week. Time for a sleep. Zzzzz.

Comments: Total (1) comments

Gloria Powell

Posted On: 30 Sep 2016 04:23 pm

So excited for your adventure.. Roll everything up tight!! It will fit in that backpack :) All the best .. Wear a bright color so we can track you in the dessert. Gloria

28 September 2016 09:10 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

Am now scratching my head wondering why on earth running across a

Comments: Total (8) comments

Fiona Richards

Posted On: 30 Sep 2016 07:52 am

The beer after, will always be better than the beer before. When the going gets tough, think of that beer, and look after your feet. Do not underestimate the power of socks. A wise person once said..

Laura H

Posted On: 30 Sep 2016 07:49 am

Wishing you all the best, Mark! Good luck wth the acclimation and final preparations.

Veronica Sawyer

Posted On: 29 Sep 2016 02:56 pm

To one of my favorite souls in the world, your sheer will and determination will drive you to the finish. Keep well! V

Larry Marciano

Posted On: 27 Sep 2016 01:05 pm

Meeting the competition sounds like a great start. There you can meet the "normal" folks that are there to enjoy the experience and the real "crazies" who want to win it. Enjoy and be safe.

Kieran Hobbs

Posted On: 27 Sep 2016 11:41 am

I like the sound of that bar actually. Good luck and looking forward to the blog and photos!

Jonathan Barnett

Posted On: 27 Sep 2016 10:06 am

Sounds like midday on Wednesday at the Hotel San Pedro Atacama bar is the start of acclimatization then Mr Russell - best of luck matey...

Sunil Baliga

Posted On: 27 Sep 2016 07:37 am

All the best!! Looking forward towards the daily updates...

Sam F

Posted On: 27 Sep 2016 02:20 am

Haha, you may never know the answer to why. But you not regret it. Good luck with the final preparations and enjoy San Pedro.

27 September 2016 10:21 am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time(US & Canada)

Boarding shortly at JFK for a 14 hour journey to the desert. Looking forward to some rest on the plane after a slightly ill-advised evening at the Bowery Ballroom seeing the Levellers.Top.band, late night. Not exactly the smartest decision of my life..... Next stop Chile.

Comments: Total (2) comments

Max Winstanley

Posted On: 28 Sep 2016 05:44 pm

This Atcama Crossing seems nearly as long as the trip from The Shire to Mordor. Good Luck!

Richard Houghton

Posted On: 28 Sep 2016 01:42 pm

Safe travels. For some reason when thinking of your challenge I keep remembering an adventure of Blackadder and in particular the possible likeness between your goodself and Captain Redbeard Rum (Tom Baker). Utterly lost, they run out of food and water and are reduced to drinking their own urine, joining Rum, who's been swigging his with abandon even before the water ran out. Good luck mate.