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Atacama Crossing Blogs 2011
6
PostsAtacama Crossing (2011) blog posts from Matt McLellan
11 March 2011 06:59 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
75 odd km and it was long, tried to set the mind to neutral and just grind it out. Set out with the goal of 5km a hour so was counting backwards from 15 hours. Ended up coming in fractionally over that so relatively happy. A mamouth blood blister on one ankle and the knees are pretty shot, however compared to the injuries some of my tent mates have endured it would be bad form to winge. Sophie and Darren particularly get points for heart.
Today is a rest day although a some competitors have finished in the last few hours, which is a huge effort. Unfortunately the camp for the day is not in the most picturesque location, very much like a gravel quarry. When you walk out of the tent you realise how hot it is, somehow you don't notice as much when you are competing. The sun also burns very very hard here and some great cases of sunburn are festering.
The race has also picked up a dog as a mascot who has done the last two days, around 120km.
Tomorrow is the last day of only 10 to 15km with a staggered start so everyone finishes roughly together. The finish line is in San Pedro which is a great little town with lots of restuarants and bars that should do very well tomorrow.
Looking forward to a shower, food that has not been rehydrated and a cold drink.
Today is a rest day although a some competitors have finished in the last few hours, which is a huge effort. Unfortunately the camp for the day is not in the most picturesque location, very much like a gravel quarry. When you walk out of the tent you realise how hot it is, somehow you don't notice as much when you are competing. The sun also burns very very hard here and some great cases of sunburn are festering.
The race has also picked up a dog as a mascot who has done the last two days, around 120km.
Tomorrow is the last day of only 10 to 15km with a staggered start so everyone finishes roughly together. The finish line is in San Pedro which is a great little town with lots of restuarants and bars that should do very well tomorrow.
Looking forward to a shower, food that has not been rehydrated and a cold drink.
09 March 2011 06:00 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
That was a bit easier than yesterday, although the salt flats are shocking, no land speed records set in the Atacama. 14km accross ground that is like broken coral or smashed concrete in the heat of the day immediately after a 13km soft sand / gravel stage so nevertheless still a hard day.
Camp tonight is next to a pure white salt flat with snow capped mountains in the background, so very nice.
The Long Day is tomorrow which is set at 75km. If I go straight through will be in around midnight with some luck. Then a rest day and 16 km into San Pedro on the final day. Looking forward to a cold drink and some decent food.
Got very lucky with a great tent which makes the whole event so much more enjoyable.
Camp tonight is next to a pure white salt flat with snow capped mountains in the background, so very nice.
The Long Day is tomorrow which is set at 75km. If I go straight through will be in around midnight with some luck. Then a rest day and 16 km into San Pedro on the final day. Looking forward to a cold drink and some decent food.
Got very lucky with a great tent which makes the whole event so much more enjoyable.
Comments: Total (5) comments
Posted On: 11 Mar 2011 09:06 pm
Matt, such a great job today you guys are amazing. I really hope you are enjoying this moment, the end of your endeavour, you have earned it. Well done and enjoy it. Pippa
Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 11:51 am
think of the big steak and nice glass or bottle of red when you get to BA - Jakey wonders if you are winning - good luck with the big day today- PS found your LAN Flight details so booked the car
Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 09:48 am
Go Matty - you sound good today. thinking of you for tomorrow. wondering if you are so looking forward to good food would you eat tomatoe?
Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 08:13 am
Keep up the good work!!
I thought that a half marathon was pretty good.
Allthe best for the rest of the crossing
Robert Margaret Rebecca & Benjamin etc etc
Posted On: 10 Mar 2011 05:37 am
Well done Matt, best of luck for tomorrow, can't imagine how tough that will be. We'll be thinking of you all day, and if we wake up through the night!
08 March 2011 06:27 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Very, very tough. 40km probably 5 to 8km on dirt roads and the rest on soft sand, slate ridges, dried marsh and the famous saltpans. The saltpans are really like running on coral as they have been described before. Unlike yesterday no highlights just a long hard very hot slog.
Anyway we are halfway distance wise and have only two days with any serious distance to go.
Anyway we are halfway distance wise and have only two days with any serious distance to go.
Comments: Total (6) comments
Posted On: 09 Mar 2011 10:46 pm
Hi Matt, hang in there, can't believe you're still there. How's the back and the feet holding up? You're doing so well in the placings, fantastic effort. xxx
Posted On: 09 Mar 2011 08:36 pm
I hope your having a fun time daddy,i hope your coming in a good place and your back isn't sore. Max
I hope you come first dadda and i hope your alright, i love you Dadda. Jake
Eve asleep still but i know she sends you a big kiss Matt! Well done, it must be hard going and your doing so well.Your at the close of an amazing feat,stay focused and it will all be a blur when you kick back with a nice cold one and feast on some amazing food when you see Jane and then enjoy your holiday. Children happy and well. Sarah
Posted On: 09 Mar 2011 11:22 am
hang in there we stillll expect to see youo tangoing in BA - only two more days. Sussa texted, kids are all well and talking about Dads desert race - see you soon
Posted On: 09 Mar 2011 09:48 am
Hi Matty, the blog was very to the point today - didnt show any emotion!! Go hard Matty b/c you know if you dont finish I will never let you forget it. Cant wait to read that you , Sean and Darren (Tommy and I love his blogs more than yours and Seans) have crossed the finish line and are drinking cold beers. my thoughts are with you. xxx
Posted On: 09 Mar 2011 06:14 am
Hi Matt, I'm Darren's partner, I just wanted to say well done and best of luck for the next stages, extraordinary effort on very tough terrain, you are doing so well. I know the comraderie between you two and Sean is meaning a lot to him out there. it's the small moments between people make the experience real. Great job, over half way...
Posted On: 09 Mar 2011 03:26 am
Good on you Matt. Well done. Stay strong you will finish it now. Everyone watching is proud of your mighty effort.
Bob
07 March 2011 05:36 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
That was tough, as advertised.
First 10km down a canyon, lots of rock jumping hard to get a cadence going. A few long walks in the water which was so cold the feet went numb.
The next 10 started off fairly easy and then went very steep for around 3km. It briefly flattened off and then went through pitch black old mining tunnel for a few hundred metres and then went vertical for what seemed for ever up to a ridge line. Very hard. As we went along the ridge we could see a huge sand dune beginning to connect it to the valley floor. After a few kms the course took a hard left and we jumped off the ridge and ran down this sand dune for about five minutes – absolutely sensational. Probably the hardest stage I have done.
The next two stages were a mix of soft sand, some cross country and road. We think they snuck a few extra kms into the final stage making the day an unofficial 45km or official 42km.
Teamed up with Sean and Darren again and were joined with Blain from our tent. We crossed the line together and came in around 34 so very pleased. Feet starting to fall apart but otherwise all good.
Staying at a very pretty campsite tonight next to two lakes. Unfortunately they are have a very high salt content so no swimming, a bit of mental torture on top of the physical torture we have just been through.
If we get through tomorrow alright we will have broken the back of it.
Only 170 km to go.
First 10km down a canyon, lots of rock jumping hard to get a cadence going. A few long walks in the water which was so cold the feet went numb.
The next 10 started off fairly easy and then went very steep for around 3km. It briefly flattened off and then went through pitch black old mining tunnel for a few hundred metres and then went vertical for what seemed for ever up to a ridge line. Very hard. As we went along the ridge we could see a huge sand dune beginning to connect it to the valley floor. After a few kms the course took a hard left and we jumped off the ridge and ran down this sand dune for about five minutes – absolutely sensational. Probably the hardest stage I have done.
The next two stages were a mix of soft sand, some cross country and road. We think they snuck a few extra kms into the final stage making the day an unofficial 45km or official 42km.
Teamed up with Sean and Darren again and were joined with Blain from our tent. We crossed the line together and came in around 34 so very pleased. Feet starting to fall apart but otherwise all good.
Staying at a very pretty campsite tonight next to two lakes. Unfortunately they are have a very high salt content so no swimming, a bit of mental torture on top of the physical torture we have just been through.
If we get through tomorrow alright we will have broken the back of it.
Only 170 km to go.
Comments: Total (1) comments
Posted On: 08 Mar 2011 03:51 am
Matti, mad time to be saying how's things?!
Awesome effort!
06 March 2011 06:01 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
35k headed off at 8am when it was still very cool and got in around 5.5 hours later. Only had any real heat for the last hour.
The course was very like the Gobi, lots of rocks and cross country. Started at 3200 metres and finished around 2600, had one brutal 3 km climb towards the end.
Very cold at night last night, probably low single digits, even with two shirts and a jacket on.
In a very fast tent of 9 – 4 people in the top 20 on the first day.
Tomorrow is 40 km and is not meant to be too difficult.
The course was very like the Gobi, lots of rocks and cross country. Started at 3200 metres and finished around 2600, had one brutal 3 km climb towards the end.
Very cold at night last night, probably low single digits, even with two shirts and a jacket on.
In a very fast tent of 9 – 4 people in the top 20 on the first day.
Tomorrow is 40 km and is not meant to be too difficult.
Comments: Total (0) comments
05 March 2011 03:55 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Just about to head off from the hotel to the mandatory gear check then on the bus to head out to the campsite where we stay before the race starts tomorrow at 8am.
The weather has been quite pleasant in San Pedro for the last two days probably no warmer than high 20s during the day and nice a cool at night.
Comments: Total (6) comments
Posted On: 13 Mar 2011 08:19 am
Posted On: 13 Mar 2011 12:58 am
Posted On: 13 Mar 2011 12:03 am
Posted On: 12 Mar 2011 03:05 pm
Posted On: 12 Mar 2011 06:52 am
Posted On: 12 Mar 2011 06:43 am