My 27-inch suitcase was almost full, loaded with numerous cold weather shields ready for the worst scenario our Mt. Fansipan climb has to offer. Surely, I have prepared for this one.
A week prior, there were frosts along the summit trails. We had a consistent negative 8 degrees centigrade temperature reading up there, while negative 3 centigrade around Sapa area. I was anxious then my colleagues would not bear such kind of freezing condition. But all our airline tickets were bought, early hotel buffet breakfast already reserved, 6 hours land transfers arranged, hotel accommodation booked and so there was really no turning back!
I have prepared several safety contingency measures to constantly recheck my colleagues' insights on the challenges they have to face if they persisted pushing for the climb despite the conditions.
1.
Upon reaching
Sapa, with showers or not, re-asses your resiliency to cold temperature and
weather. Make use of the prepared gears
while we walk around the town square. Rain? If you can bear with it along Sapa,
can you still possibly hold up at 2,800-3,000 masl? Be honest…I will understand if someone will
be true to himself and back out.
2.
On our Climb Day
1, after breakfast, make your rain wears handy.
If by the start of our climb and weather is not cooperating….I will
ask you again if you could not resist getting wet from the 1st hour
with expected 7-hours hike? …….anybody is free to change his mind.
3.
At a hike speed
of 3km/hour, about 3-5 meters distance between colleagues, the group has to
move at the same pace. Anyone slower
should be passed through. It should be
understood that the group’s speed is the slowest possible speed we could
sacrifice to tolerate the weakest hiker. Slugger should be asked to abort.
4.
If there’s no
rain, then we push all the way to camp 1, at 2,200 masl where we planned to
have our lunch. The question of
everyone’s fitness has to be reiterated upon reaching camp 1. If someone changes his mind, then I have to
go down with him. Camp 1 is the last and
final re-assessment of one’s level of fitness where we can still have ample
time to hike back and catch a ride to Sapa.
Pushing further after Camp 1 is a “No holds barred, come hell or high
waters” bid to reach Camp 2 at 2,800 masl and stay for the night.
5.
Weather permitting,
but if by any struck of luck that anyone persisted and defy all anticipated
eventualities and reached Camp 2 but can no longer push for the next day’s
summit assault, then I have to call a rescue to get someone down. Expense wise,
this will cost the climber a lot and he should be shouldering all of it.
6.
On Assault day,
upon reaching the last ridge, halfway to the summit, where one can clearly
sight Cable cars to and pro it’s mountain station, I have to check the time and
estimate the group’s arrival. By 1100
hours, Mt. Fansipan climb is expected to be successfully concluded.
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| posers! |
