Atacama Crossing Blogs 2014

Stuart Lotherington

4

Posts

Atacama Crossing (2014) blog posts from Stuart Lotherington

06 October 2014 04:22 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Stage 2 completed and what mix of high and lows. Great start for the day. 11kms of trekking/running/falling through about 30 river crossings, more like crayoning! . Great fun and Martin & I seem to have got ahead of others on this longish day. Came in 61st/62nd apparently which we are happy with. Second of the four stages was up a severe hill with amazing views of the snow-capped mountains then down some of the most amazing sand dunes. It all started to go wrong after that with difficulty in taking on food and water which meant by the 3rd check point I was wasted! Some anti-nausea drugs a swig of Coke made me right as rain for a strong finish. Now sat on the edge of a salt water lake with more great views of mountains putting the thought of 2 more days of this & then the long day to go out of my head as far as possible. It

Comments: Total (5) comments

Andy Daymond

Posted On: 09 Oct 2014 09:44 am

Stuart

Nick Kay

Posted On: 08 Oct 2014 03:01 pm

sorry to see you have had to leave Robin... get well soon

Cheska Lotherington

Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 06:44 pm

Sounds absolutely dreadfully briliant! I hope youre okay and keep your positive thinking up! You'll do just fine :) miss you lots and lots and the weekend wasnt the same as being with you :( everythings going well here, dancing wasnt too bad its just this rainy freeezing cold weather. Keep up the brilliant hardwork because thats what WE DO! Lots of love and cuddles and kisses, Chess xxxxxxxxxx

Elle Lotherington

Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 02:43 pm

Hello Daddy!!! Sounds like you're getting along fine, stop complaining and get on with it ;) all ok here - with weather incredibly temperamental. Bought my car on Saturday so just waiting on you to go on a little road trip adventure without power steering and dodgy brakes should be interesting but hay-ho. Hope all is well and you are staying in high spirits. Can't wait to see you - lots & lots & lots of love xoxoxoxox

Nick Kay

Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 01:57 pm

Now for the ear worm of the day....Horse with no name lyrics KEEP SMILING Bud sound amazing keep it going and singing :-) On the first part of the journey I was looking at all the life There were plants and birds and rocks and things There was sand and hills and rings The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz And the sky with no clouds The heat was hot and the ground was dry But the air was full of sound I've been through the desert on a horse with no name It felt good to be out of the rain In the desert you can remember your name Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain La la la la la La la la la la La la la la la La la la la la After two days in the desert sun My skin began to turn red After three days in the desert fun I was looking at a river bed And the story it told of a river that flowed Made me sad to think it was dead You see I've been through the desert on a horse with no name It felt good to be out of the rain In the desert you can remember your name Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain La la la la la La la la la la La la la la la La la la la la After nine days I let the horse run free Cause the desert had turned to sea There were plants and birds and rocks and things There was sand and hills and rings The ocean is a desert with its life underground And a perfect disguise above Under the cities lies a heart made of ground But the humans will give no love You see I've been through the desert on a horse with no name It felt good to be out of the rain In the desert you can remember your name Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain La la la la la La la la la la La la la la la La la la la la |

05 October 2014 02:35 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Thanks for all your messages of encouragement. Day 1

Comments: Total (9) comments

Vic/ Sylvia Alfrey

Posted On: 07 Oct 2014 04:14 pm

Well done Well done, From 2 Old SPOONS! Did we ever have enough energy and enthusiasm to do anything like this? Tell us all about whem you get back. Regards Vic & Sylvia

miles welch

Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 10:29 pm

Well done guys, saw some video of you up to your knees to water today. Keep strong and enjoy!

Susie Lotherington

Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 08:01 pm

I've signed up to the updates now!!! Der and I've seen the photo's..... looks formidable and amazing at the same time. Stage 1 you and Martin are 78 & 79. Look forward to hearing the next amazing episode. Love you xxx

Peter Liptak

Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 04:18 pm

Stu, my partner in Alpine crimes committed... If any one can do this, it's you! You are the strong one. Keep it steady and stay true to your goals (keeping 'em real), and you'll pull ahead. Inspiring from afar, but i wish i were close at hand (and fell of foot), right there in the trenches with you. Off to my own battle, but wishing you nothing but success!

Paul Gerard

Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 11:49 am

You don't seem the right person to be questioning what 'normal' is :-) Quite frankly Batman and Robin costumes seem a bit humble, Superman would be more appropriate. Keep up the good spirits!!

Nick Kay

Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 11:44 am

Well done buddy, glad to see your status, in the results list is ‘A’ (active) I thick mine would be SC (semiconscious) or ‘D’ delirious. I do hope that the medal is as big as the Sahara one and that they gave to you to carry at the start. All the best in a very wet and windy England

Dave Watmore

Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 09:34 am

Brilliant so far Stuie keep it going!:-)

Issy Chappel

Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 07:27 am

Your Batman & Robin costumes are absolutely brilliant!! So so so proud of you stuey, hope you're loving the challenge, it is completely mental ;) keep being awesome, can't wait for the next update! Xxxx

Susie Lotherington

Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 07:17 am

You crazy peeps! Glad to hear that your spirits sound high. With all your experience of hot and cold, it'll be a walk in the park for you and Martin - keep enjoying the journey darling :-) love you xxx

04 October 2014 04:09 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

So 48 hours later, 3 plane rides, 2 bus journeys we are finally at the base camp ready to start running tomorrow. The camp is set in a beautiful part of the Atacama. In between ome beautiful mountains and hills of various colours of red and grey. The reduced oxygen is very noticeable when you start moving so running 40k tomorrow with 12 kg back pack should be interesting at this 3000m altitude!

Comments: Total (1) comments

Susie Lotherington

Posted On: 05 Oct 2014 09:19 pm

Hope you get a good nights rest. Good luck sweetheart, look forward to your next update xxx

02 October 2014 03:58 am (GMT+01:00) Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

Right i have just about 60 minutes for a last kit check. Then 2 days to get to the start line. 3 flights and one bus. Its gonna be .....long!

Comments: Total (9) comments

Mike Francis

Posted On: 06 Oct 2014 06:45 pm

Keep STRONG guys....!!!! Thinking of you both a wishing you speed and deep breaths..!!!

Harry Emslie

Posted On: 04 Oct 2014 11:16 pm

Hope you arrived ok and didn't forget any kit. Good luck today with the first stage

Val Nott

Posted On: 03 Oct 2014 09:58 pm

Impressed.

Val Nott

Posted On: 03 Oct 2014 09:58 pm

Impressed.

Susie Lotherington

Posted On: 03 Oct 2014 09:03 pm

Hello darling - you should be 3 flights and a bus ride down by now (hopefully), can't wait to get your updates! xxx

Allan Hobbs

Posted On: 03 Oct 2014 03:07 am

Good luck, Stu. As many updates as you can manage please. Loving hearing about your adventuring, this sounds amazing. Lots of love, A&M x

Susie Lotherington

Posted On: 02 Oct 2014 10:11 pm

I'm guessing that when you read this note it will be the end of day 1 :-) Well done you. Missing you already xxx

Susie Lotherington

Posted On: 02 Oct 2014 10:11 pm

I'm guessing that when you read this note it will be the end of day 1 :-) Well done you. Missing you already xxx

Susie Lotherington

Posted On: 02 Oct 2014 10:11 pm

I'm guessing that when you read this note it will be the end of day 1 :-) Well done you. Missing you already xxx