Sunday, June 26, 2011

Module 2 comes to a close

This modules paper focused on our acute and chronic stress at work.  I just turned it in and it feels great to get it done.  I had to cut out a lot to reduce it to 7 pages but I think the messaging is much better in the shortened version.  I feel like this course has given me a "Hawthorne effect" when it comes to hardiness already.  I am mentally better prepared for stressful situations.  Things don't bother me as much.  I will be buying all of my gear and making trip preparations for Portland this week.

I am looking forward to the Southern Exposure team call this Wednesday!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Everest - Beyond the Limit - Complete

Finished the series last night of Everest Beyond the Limit.  It was filmed in May of 2007 where over 500 climbers made the summit.  What helped that statistic was the best weather in 25 years.  7 climbers died that year - this was very perplexing to the team leader. 

Reflecting on this series it seems that Everest has become almost too touristy - meaning that everyone thinks they can climb up the mountain.  It was interesting to see how un-prepared some teams were for the climb.  Very few had team doctors to help with altitude sickness/ pulmonary edema etc. and they used Russel's team doctor frequently. 

The companies/Sherpas that take "tourist" up the mountain must get tired of seeing unprepared climbers.  There is much arrogance with climbers who think they can do it only to the detriment of the team. 

A great series and I would highly recommend it to all.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Everest - Beyond the Limit

Since taking this course I have been a junky for climbing documentaries/movies.  There is a great series on Discovery that you can view instantly on Netflix called "Beyond the Limit".  Wow am I hooked on this series.  I can relate better to High Altitude Leadership because of it.  It is amazing how arrogance and lone heroism can ruin a team.  Definitely check out this series - there are two seasons of it. 

Friday, June 3, 2011

MRI

I met with a lumbar specialist and he is prescribing a course of treatment for me.  I will be getting a steroid shot in the area where the disc is pressing against the sciatic nerve which is causing me leg pain.  I can't take any steroidal pain pills like ibuprofen/aleve as this conflicts with this treatment.  I hope the steroid shot takes because the pain has inhibited by ability to carry heavy loads on my back - a key training requirement.