Thank you, Steve! Reading suggestions much appreciated, they both look epic. I first heard about Lionel Terray's book from reading Yvon Chouinard and Rick Ridgeway's books. We have a copy of it in French, but it's way above my reading level. Must get my hands on the translation.
Sounds like Sea Kayaking makes you re-draw your mental map. Too easy to think of the Ranger who died unnecessarily in a guided commercial rafting trip in Deep Survival. Super motivating Charlie, keep your head on a swivel and keep a look out.
Yes! This kind of risk management is all about mental maps. The sea definitely counts as a "complex environment," so it's impossible to account for every variable. Where I think people can really get into trouble is assuming that a partner/group eliminates all the hazards of going solo, when really it just trades those hazards for different ones. A lot of examples in Deep Survival of LACK of safety in numbers. I remember he writes about experienced climbers getting killed leading their friends up "easy" mountains.
Such a good book. Not a day goes by that I don't think about that book/ our discussions about it. Last time I left a throw line at home, I could hear you saying, "Oh, your mental map doesn't include having to do a swim landing on the rocks? Good luck with that."
Sorry to hear you got hit with COVID, but what an amazing environment you have to struggle through it. I hope it doesn't impact your lunge capacity for this endeavor.
I like that last line - "speed equals safety." That's most definitely true when you're cutting through a current...and I'm sure you'll hit plenty of them.
Good luck with your recover and with your training!
Lungs seem to have recovered. One cool thing about training with a heart rate monitor is that it seemed to be telling me I was sick before I had symptoms. My resting heart rate was all jacked up a couple of days before the chills and coughing started.
Very true about currents. Also boat traffic. Starting early and moving fast minimizes exposure to "qualified captains."
Hey Charlie, as a matter of fact I am glad you spent the week with covid. so we could spend it all together...a new experience to go to the limits...next time you will make it to the lake.
Great stuff, Charlie! These posts are a book in the making. I'm sure you don't need any other readings suggestions but I'll throw a couple at you anyway. On alpine and Himalayan mountaineering: "Les Conquerants de la Inutile." It's in English too, by Lionel Terray: https://www.ebay.com/itm/403460496240?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=403460496240&targetid=4581183927179145&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=418233787&mkgroupid=1241348861725295&rlsatarget=pla-4581183927179145&abcId=9300542&merchantid=51291&msclkid=71cc304203ad17bee467528bf2f9f86d/
And "Annapurna" by Maurice Herzong https://www.amazon.com/Annapurna-First-Conquest-000-Meter-Peak/dp/1599218933/ref=asc_df_1599218933?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80745440604544&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584345016421631&psc=1
Both GREAT!
Keep hammering, Charlie. You're our hero!
Thank you, Steve! Reading suggestions much appreciated, they both look epic. I first heard about Lionel Terray's book from reading Yvon Chouinard and Rick Ridgeway's books. We have a copy of it in French, but it's way above my reading level. Must get my hands on the translation.
Sounds like Sea Kayaking makes you re-draw your mental map. Too easy to think of the Ranger who died unnecessarily in a guided commercial rafting trip in Deep Survival. Super motivating Charlie, keep your head on a swivel and keep a look out.
Yes! This kind of risk management is all about mental maps. The sea definitely counts as a "complex environment," so it's impossible to account for every variable. Where I think people can really get into trouble is assuming that a partner/group eliminates all the hazards of going solo, when really it just trades those hazards for different ones. A lot of examples in Deep Survival of LACK of safety in numbers. I remember he writes about experienced climbers getting killed leading their friends up "easy" mountains.
Such a good book. Not a day goes by that I don't think about that book/ our discussions about it. Last time I left a throw line at home, I could hear you saying, "Oh, your mental map doesn't include having to do a swim landing on the rocks? Good luck with that."
Sorry to hear you got hit with COVID, but what an amazing environment you have to struggle through it. I hope it doesn't impact your lunge capacity for this endeavor.
I like that last line - "speed equals safety." That's most definitely true when you're cutting through a current...and I'm sure you'll hit plenty of them.
Good luck with your recover and with your training!
Lungs seem to have recovered. One cool thing about training with a heart rate monitor is that it seemed to be telling me I was sick before I had symptoms. My resting heart rate was all jacked up a couple of days before the chills and coughing started.
Very true about currents. Also boat traffic. Starting early and moving fast minimizes exposure to "qualified captains."
Hey Charlie, as a matter of fact I am glad you spent the week with covid. so we could spend it all together...a new experience to go to the limits...next time you will make it to the lake.
Just go on like this, we are all behind you.
Thank you! It was so good to see everyone, and I think the upside of Covid is that we all had more time at home. Thanks for reading.