Hayley swung by to get me at “oh early thirty” in the morning. We drove to get Walter, and I slept in the back while they chit chatted. I had been feeling sick ever since we got back from Japan. This was the first day I wasn’t hacking and couphing. I still had a pretty gnarly headache and also a minor fever, so I took a sick day. I had also been overworking myself in the office recently, so I needed some time to relax mentally. A nice warm sunny day up at ORG was just what climbergirl needed!
Turns out while leading my first route of the day, I felt a rush of heat and that low fever I had took an evil grip on my body. My body suddenly started shaking and I felt a wave of weakness starting at my head going down to my feet. I took some deep breaths and tried to work out some moves-but my feet felt like jelly beneath me and my head felt detached from my body.
It was NOT a good way to climb, not safe at all! I would not recommend leading while sick. This is an easy route for me and I’ve done it many times, so I know it wasn’t nerves.
After lowering, I took some Tylenol, drank two whole bottles of Gatorade, ate my hard boiled egg, some fruit, and also a bar. It took about half an hour for the shakes to go away, and around that time the Tylenol kicked in. For the rest of the day, at Walter’s advice, I just TR’d. It is not safe to climb when one is feeling ill in the head!
Hayley and Walter however had a stellar day. Both giving four star performances. While they were both redpointing routes; I was Ms. Photographer for the day! Even, taking some pics of Hayley coming up Heart of the Sun while I was hanging out at the anchors!
Routes we climbed: Child of Light, Heart of the Sun, Tsing Tao, Welcome to the Gorge, Light Within, and Gary Grey!
Everything except Light Within and Gary Grey was redpointed by either Hayley, Walter, or both and I was so happy to see Hayley figure out the crux move of Light Within-the redpoint is hers for the taking next time! I was certainly ready to go home when they were since I was still feeling tired and sick, so after 6 routes we called it a day.
I’m happy I went up there for the day and didn’t stay home in bed. It would have been way more depressing to stay home while my two climbing buddies were out n about! Incidently, the next day I was feeling way better and went into work feeling refreshed. Then again, it was a FRIDAY!
Tags: CA, Child of Light, Gary Grey, Heart of the Sun, Light Within, Owens River Gorge, Rock Climbing, Sport, Tsing Tao, Welcome to the Gorge