Deep Roots

“Let’s see if I can get to the top of this hill without being tired” is the game I play with myself to keep my exertion levels under control. I’m so wired to push that this default setting needs constant management and close concentration. It’s one of the paradoxes of this pursuit that effort can and will be detrimental to your desired outcome. To help with this, my internal narrative can often be heard to say, “Go slow Damian, ..... good.......now slower”

-Listen along as Damian has a day of personal change.

Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod

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14 and half hours of deep blissful sleep! I would never have guessed I could spend so long in a sleeping bag. That should help efforts to reboot the body post yesterday’s icefall climb.

Shortly after Pingju arrived at my tent with some hot water for breakfast, I recognize some familiar voices from the comfort of my sleeping bag. My weary body is reluctant to rise until @climber_tenji sticks his head in to say hello. He and my ‘old’ team of Ryan, April & David are halfway through leg 1 of their summit push, moving onto Camp 2 now.

Soon I’m up, out & catching up with my old teammates over their early morning noodle soups. It’s great to see them and feel genuine sincerity in their remarks about seeing me back on the mountain after Covid. There’s plenty of activity around and a buzz in the air as a few more climbers from CTSS have also landed into Camp 1 including @ruida.su , Michael and Dr Mike along with their guides. Energy is flowing.

One by one, climber and guide move out and begin the second portion of their aggressive Day 1, pushing to Camp 2. In a much less excited and nervous fashion Pingju and I follow in their footsteps for about an hour, leisurely heading out to a point above Camp 1 for some ‘active rest’. With the sun now beating down on the Western Cwm I’m happy we don’t go far and enjoy the hour or so we spend perched above camp surveying the magnificent surroundings. I think a lot about the future, warmly.

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Taking steps on Everests famous ice-falls...

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Day 27 and 28 see's Damian hike to Pumori base camp for the third time in his journey. This followed by a trek into the icefall and on to camp 1. The start of ' Hard shit' in terms of climbing begins, but bright days are looking ahead.

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Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod

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The last days of quarantine with eyes set back on the mountain.

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"These Covid symptoms can best be described as tidal. Waves of feeling a little bit better than a little bit worse..."

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Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod

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Quite the change of view in 24hrs.

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Covid-19 had struck the mountain.

Listen and follow Damian's story as he attempts to summit Mt Everest. Stepping over unexpected obstacles.

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Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod

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Day 14: EBC to 5600m in the Khumbu Icefall - Day 15: EBC to Pumori BC (5740m)

A storm has arrived at base camp.

I don’t understand what is wrong with me. It’s never been this challenging before for me to acclimatise, not even close. I feel weak, drained, fatigued just moving around camp. It makes no sense. My appetite is good, in fact, after yesterday’s efforts, I made it my mission to consume loads of calories and water for recovery, and yet I still wake tired and weak......

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This morning is the first morning I’d venture to say I feel nearly “normal”. Definitely, I’m in a much better place than the last 3/4 mornings. Gone are all the momentary physical warning signs brought on by hastiness or overeagerness.

Another good sign I’m moving in the right direction.

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Watch and follow Damian as it happens on his Instagram @Auldstock & @Deeprootspod

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