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The Last Desert Blogs 2010
6
PostsThe Last Desert (2010) blog posts from Devrim Celal
22 November 2010 03:58 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
The most painful day of my life
The title says it all. A torn calf at start, a problematic knee, temperature flactuating between 6 and -6, wind reaching 37 knots and a soft and icely terrain of volcanic ash. Add to all that a seal who decided to lie on the track and penguins and albatros for spectators.
we were at Deception Island today. Deception Island is a bit like Santorini, except the volcano is active and everything else is covered in ice. In fact, it used to be a whaling station, today it has nothing more than abandonded camp ssite and some silos.
We arrived early in the morning ready for a 4am start. On the shore by 6am for a 15 hour day. The weather at start was 2 degrees with light snow, that became light wind and snow, then stronger winds and then there was sun, so much sun that we literally had to take almost all gear off. The warmth lasted for about an hour. Some of the volunteers used the opportunity to go for a swim. Yes, you can swim at Deception Island, in the middle of Antarctica thanks to its active volcano. In fact there was steam coming of the beach almost all day, until the wind direction changed and the temperature dropped to well below zero.
I tried to stay in the run all day but my calf was in serious pain, my knee held up well but I had to be very carely. As a result I was slow but finished. I just had a meeting with the doctor who believes the tear is still there and probably larger but no permanent damage.
Tomorrow is our last running day. I will go out there and try and enjoy myself and finish.....
The title says it all. A torn calf at start, a problematic knee, temperature flactuating between 6 and -6, wind reaching 37 knots and a soft and icely terrain of volcanic ash. Add to all that a seal who decided to lie on the track and penguins and albatros for spectators.
we were at Deception Island today. Deception Island is a bit like Santorini, except the volcano is active and everything else is covered in ice. In fact, it used to be a whaling station, today it has nothing more than abandonded camp ssite and some silos.
We arrived early in the morning ready for a 4am start. On the shore by 6am for a 15 hour day. The weather at start was 2 degrees with light snow, that became light wind and snow, then stronger winds and then there was sun, so much sun that we literally had to take almost all gear off. The warmth lasted for about an hour. Some of the volunteers used the opportunity to go for a swim. Yes, you can swim at Deception Island, in the middle of Antarctica thanks to its active volcano. In fact there was steam coming of the beach almost all day, until the wind direction changed and the temperature dropped to well below zero.
I tried to stay in the run all day but my calf was in serious pain, my knee held up well but I had to be very carely. As a result I was slow but finished. I just had a meeting with the doctor who believes the tear is still there and probably larger but no permanent damage.
Tomorrow is our last running day. I will go out there and try and enjoy myself and finish.....
20 November 2010 04:47 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
In pain
Antarctica is such a unforgiving place. One moment it is sunny warm and spectacular then in a split second it changes completely.
Today we ran a basic course of two loops in total 14.5 kms against time, the goal to complete as many times as possible. We started with rough seas and 35knot winds hence unable to land on shore. Eventually by 11am the wind slowed and we were able start running. It was warm at first about 2degrees but eventually it went down to -5. the change was painful, the warm weather had allowed ice to melt forming paddles and when the temperature dropped going through them became an agony, goretex or not everything got wet and the brutal wind kept on battering us.
There were some fun things too, I was confronted by a family of very friendly penguins crossing my path. I had to stop and wait for them to cross, then there was a crazy albatros that kept on attacking runners like a second world war stip fire, and a seal amazed at what we were doing as well as many scientist who live in the Antarctica and still find what we are doing bizzare!
I did hurt my calf the Dr thinks it is a small tear but no reason to stop. we shall wee but it is for sure that a potential ranking is our of the window.
tomorrow is meant to be more of the same, so we are all praying for bad weather!
Devrim
Antarctica is such a unforgiving place. One moment it is sunny warm and spectacular then in a split second it changes completely.
Today we ran a basic course of two loops in total 14.5 kms against time, the goal to complete as many times as possible. We started with rough seas and 35knot winds hence unable to land on shore. Eventually by 11am the wind slowed and we were able start running. It was warm at first about 2degrees but eventually it went down to -5. the change was painful, the warm weather had allowed ice to melt forming paddles and when the temperature dropped going through them became an agony, goretex or not everything got wet and the brutal wind kept on battering us.
There were some fun things too, I was confronted by a family of very friendly penguins crossing my path. I had to stop and wait for them to cross, then there was a crazy albatros that kept on attacking runners like a second world war stip fire, and a seal amazed at what we were doing as well as many scientist who live in the Antarctica and still find what we are doing bizzare!
I did hurt my calf the Dr thinks it is a small tear but no reason to stop. we shall wee but it is for sure that a potential ranking is our of the window.
tomorrow is meant to be more of the same, so we are all praying for bad weather!
Devrim
Comments: Total (4) comments
Posted On: 23 Nov 2010 08:14 pm
Devrim,
ayağına dikkat et. Çok zorladın galiba. Neyse yarın bitiyor ama ayağına kalıcı bir zarar vermesin. Bloglarını okuyorum. Güzel bir deneyim. Hayatta bir defa olabilecek birşey. Tadını çıkar. Denis ile bugün görüştük. Toplantıyı Perşembe güne almamızı istedi. İyi oldu. Piro işin içinden çıkamamıştı. Yarın ikimiz birlikte çalışacağız. Vekaletnameyi de ben yarın hazırlayacağım. Sen aklını bunlara takma. Hallederim. sevgiler. Kendine iyi bak.
HC
Posted On: 23 Nov 2010 08:56 am
Keep up the good work Devrim! It looks like an amazing exerperience - bet you still can't believe you made it out there! Enjoy the trip and the challenges it presents...Will continue to track everyone's progress...wish I was there!
Posted On: 22 Nov 2010 11:41 am
Well, I guess I need to stop complaining! I sat out drinking coffee at Bar Italia yesterday and it was about 5 degrees and rainy. Got chilled to the bone and my teeth started chattering so went home and took a hot bath. What a wuss I am!! Thanks for keeping me perspective more reasonable!!
You continue to be a great inspiration. Enjoy every moment and come back with some great stories and minimal pain.
-All the very best - Robert Schwarz
Posted On: 21 Nov 2010 07:23 pm
Enjoying your blog. I'm with you - I would be wanting some bad weather breaks if I was there. You can take whatever the course and weather dishes out! Stay in there and give it your best!. What an EXPERIENCE, soak in every second - once in a fe time experience every little nuance. I know you feel comfortable with the race organization - they exercise such good judgment. Be safe and run strong! -- Ted Lowe
19 November 2010 06:30 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
The long awaited swells did not materialise (so far!) . The weather has been calm by Drake standards, only at a force od 2-3 on a scale of 12. It is however starting to pick up now. There is at least rain. The boat is rocking as it has been the whole way.
The atmosphere on the boat is positive with only a handfull of people feeling sick. The patches seem to have the work. They do make you feel very dehydrated. I only found out this morning though that the dehyration sense is a false one and not real. Regardless I have been drinking water almost non stop. That also means frequent trips down to my cabin which two levels down from the dining area. A little tricky affair considering how the boat is rocking.
We have been well fed on board. So far this competition can be the only one where I wil not only not lose weight but come back with some extra.
Late tonight we will reach St Georges island where we will make our first landing. Weather permitting we will land and run for 15 hours. Our dictances will be recorded and reduced from the required 250km. Therefore we will try and run as far as possible in the allocated time. The track is a simple 14.5km run that starts from a centre and incorporates two loops, one around the Chinese base and the other around the Urugain camps. We are bound to run into Penguins and have been strickly warned that they have right of passage. Failling to keep to the rule will be cause for disqualification.
Looking forward to tomorrow landing after hopefully completing the rest of the Drake passage without much incident.
Devrim
The atmosphere on the boat is positive with only a handfull of people feeling sick. The patches seem to have the work. They do make you feel very dehydrated. I only found out this morning though that the dehyration sense is a false one and not real. Regardless I have been drinking water almost non stop. That also means frequent trips down to my cabin which two levels down from the dining area. A little tricky affair considering how the boat is rocking.
We have been well fed on board. So far this competition can be the only one where I wil not only not lose weight but come back with some extra.
Late tonight we will reach St Georges island where we will make our first landing. Weather permitting we will land and run for 15 hours. Our dictances will be recorded and reduced from the required 250km. Therefore we will try and run as far as possible in the allocated time. The track is a simple 14.5km run that starts from a centre and incorporates two loops, one around the Chinese base and the other around the Urugain camps. We are bound to run into Penguins and have been strickly warned that they have right of passage. Failling to keep to the rule will be cause for disqualification.
Looking forward to tomorrow landing after hopefully completing the rest of the Drake passage without much incident.
Devrim
Comments: Total (1) comments
Posted On: 20 Nov 2010 03:56 am
Hey Devrim! Great to read your blogs. Good luck to you, run long and hard that first day. I am so jealous, wish I was there experiencing Antarctica and the penguins in all their 'right of way' glory. Enjoy every moment!!
18 November 2010 06:57 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
We are almost 24 hours into the crossing and in the middle of the Drake Passage and possibly about to move in the Antarctic waters where the water temperature falls by up to 8 degrees.
The boat is wobbly but we have been told that this is a calm day in the passage and it could change at any point. Last night when we went to sleep we were still in the calm Beagle Channel but at about 2am we exited the channel into the Drake passage ans as we did the boat started shaking. It was a strange feeling waking up to my body being pushed from one end of the bed to the other. In a way it was soothing, I went straight back to sleep. I am either starting enjoy waves (not the sound but the motion) or the scolomapine patched are really doing a number on me.
The boat life is interesting. Some members of the crew are experts in Regional birds and whales. They have already delivered two lectures today, one on birds and the other on whales. I can already identify the Albatros groups that have been circling the boat all day. Amazing creature that have a wing span of up 4metres and move through the sky do effortlessly without moving a wing but by simple manipulating the wind.
Tomorrow we are still in the passage but if all goes to plan late Friday or early Saturday we should emerge from the passage into Antarctica.
Devrim
The boat is wobbly but we have been told that this is a calm day in the passage and it could change at any point. Last night when we went to sleep we were still in the calm Beagle Channel but at about 2am we exited the channel into the Drake passage ans as we did the boat started shaking. It was a strange feeling waking up to my body being pushed from one end of the bed to the other. In a way it was soothing, I went straight back to sleep. I am either starting enjoy waves (not the sound but the motion) or the scolomapine patched are really doing a number on me.
The boat life is interesting. Some members of the crew are experts in Regional birds and whales. They have already delivered two lectures today, one on birds and the other on whales. I can already identify the Albatros groups that have been circling the boat all day. Amazing creature that have a wing span of up 4metres and move through the sky do effortlessly without moving a wing but by simple manipulating the wind.
Tomorrow we are still in the passage but if all goes to plan late Friday or early Saturday we should emerge from the passage into Antarctica.
Devrim
Comments: Total (0) comments
17 November 2010 08:42 am (GMT-03:00) Buenos Aires, Georgetown
16 November 2010. 12.30
somewhere between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia on AR2928
I have been travelling for almost 24 hours since I left home in London. For the most part it has been uneventful. I did however make the mistake of taking a sleeping pill courtesy of Mrs Zincir-Celal last night on the long flight. At first it felt great as I slept (in theory) for 6 hours non stop. However I am now realising that it did not amount to much. My head is pounding, my body is craving caffeine and sugar, both in short supply in Aerolineas. Can't wait to hit a shop in Ushuaia. I take it back! My lunch.just arrived which comprises of a ham sandwich, a grandly bar and haddi candy. Suddenly I feel better.
I met up with Sam Gash at the airport in Buenos Aires. She was as energetic as always despite having travelled for 36 hours and had been in an other Fantasy flight that had to turn around because of an engine failure.
I am now starting to look forward to this trip. My knee is finally starting to feel normal (amour last words), I am relaxed and should the patches work then this should be a lot of fun.
Devrim out.
Comments: Total (0) comments
17 November 2010 08:41 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi
Patch on, bags packed, last items purchased, last lunch and almost ready to go.
The weather has been tempremental all day. Nice sunny morning, then a cold rain storm now sunny once again. We will be heading to the boat in a little over an hour. The Beagle channel is meant to be calm but once we hit the Drake passage that's it!
Some say the food on the boat will be great, that we will have showers, it almost feels against the spirit of the event but then again who know how often will we be able to make it back to the boat. We may end up spending some nights on the Antarctic ice if the wind picks up or if there is too much ice in the water and it is too dangerous for the zodiac to come to shore.
Nonetheless, I am surest will be all fun...
Devrim
Comments: Total (4) comments
Posted On: 23 Nov 2010 10:15 pm
Posted On: 23 Nov 2010 09:17 pm
Posted On: 23 Nov 2010 02:32 pm
Posted On: 23 Nov 2010 01:22 pm