Another pilgrimage to the Dolomites

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Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 18, 2018 - 09:01pm PT
Yeah, gonna' try again. Last year I was beset by an unexplained illness that limited my climbing to a single route. So over the winter I was haunted by dreams of climbs that are still on my bucket list.

I did some gym training--the usual weight machines, etc.--then lost motivation. So, I was in touch with RKM who informed me that the Uriostes were at City of Rocks, and that I should come over and do some climbing and hanging out for a few days. Did so, and actually did some climbing and returned to leading the Sunday before returning home. Monday while driving home began feeling not too well, and with a sore shoulder. Tuesday, June 12, was spent contemplating my navel and subsequently went to the ER, where I was informed I was having a heart attack. Early Wednesday, had a Cardiac catheterization procedure, angioplasty, and a medicated stent placed in my LAD artery. Released to go home from hospital same Thursday, and told to take my meds and not to go climbing for a minimum of 2 weeks, but probably a coupe months to see how recovery went. Turns out that I've been having reduced blood to everything and all the illness of the prior years were "warning signs."

Earlier in the year, I had purchased my airline ticket for this trip, and being the stubborn sort, am still planning a trip but with reduced goals. So, as a precaution, had a stress EKG on Monday for evaluation of what I should and should not do. But cleared to resume full activities.

This is how well I listened to the advice to take it easy for a few weeks:


My plans for the Dolomite trip include a full day at Cinque Torri near Cortina and a warm-up trial to see how things are working again. Then a day trip on Grosser Falzaregoturm, but just the via Normale. That goes well enough, then the First Sellatower via Steger Route with RKM. After that, I'll evaluate what's possible.

Will keep everyone here posted about my antics. I fly out from Denver the 29th of this month.

BDC, a.k.a. Super Topo Village Idiot.
BLUEBLOCR

Social climber
joshua tree
Jul 18, 2018 - 09:33pm PT
Hey Buddy! I loved those pics on FB of you climbing with Victoria👍 Sorry I called you a dirtbagger. Lol. Sounds like you got in there in the nick of time! I hope that catheterization shite holds well for you and you send🙏

Btw, they didn't try to blame this on bacon did they😡
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 18, 2018 - 10:02pm PT
I need to eat MORE bacon! My lipid panel was off scale LOW! They prescribed some Lipitor, and I told them to look at the lipid panel. Primary caregiver said forget the Lipitor, as my lipids and cholesterol are nearly zero. It was a small calcification that they reamed out. Hope to see you and go climbing at facelift. My everyday BP is on the clinically LOW side, so was told to NOT TAKE the standard BP meds the hospitalist prescribed. My normal BP with no meds is usually 117/68. When resting in the doc's office last visit (after heart attack) was 109/62.

We'll have a bacon eating contest at facelift!
Jan

Mountain climber
Colorado & Nepal
Jul 18, 2018 - 11:56pm PT
You two are incorrigible! Long may it be.
BruceHildenbrand

Social climber
Mountain View/Boulder
Jul 19, 2018 - 02:50am PT
I really liked the climbing on the Vajolet Towers. Not only that, the women who run the hut at the base allowed us to put our packs on the cable car at the bottom of the approach! Sweeeet!
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
Jul 19, 2018 - 07:21am PT
It’s so beautiful there that no matter what you climb, you will have a wonderful time. Looking forward to hearing about your trip.
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 19, 2018 - 07:30am PT
Whatever I do, it will please me. The only thing(so far) bothering me would be long and arduous approaches/descents. Guess I'm spoiled by thinking City of Rocks, and Joshua Tree?
Brian in SLC

Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
Jul 19, 2018 - 07:40am PT
Ahhh...there's a fair bit of stuff in the Dolomites that have very short approaches as well...

The hike to the base of the Piz Ciavazes is only 15 minutes. Plenty of other stuff has tram/ski lift approach possibilities too.

Good times! Don't let Kim get too crazy...!
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 19, 2018 - 08:46am PT
I'm keeping that in mind! So far, just the Steger on First Sella Tower and maybe the Kostner dihedral on the Second are what we've discussed. Maybe we'll do the thumb on Funffingerspitze, too? Don't know until I know how my body is handling the stresses.
Marlow

Sport climber
OSLO
Jul 19, 2018 - 12:42pm PT

BDC

It's great to follow your TRs. My best wishes for the journey...
SC seagoat

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
Jul 19, 2018 - 02:25pm PT
Yay BrokeDown.
Have a wonderful trip and see ya at Facelift.

Susan
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 19, 2018 - 02:31pm PT
Susan-

Yes, I'll be there again! See you and Michael then!
NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Jul 19, 2018 - 02:41pm PT
Have a blast just being out there and enjoying the views, listening to the wind, and coming back at a gentlemanly hour to enjoy merenda and a hearty cena :)

Take lots of pics! I fly into Milan just about every winter, and haven't made it to Dolomites yet. If we end up doing a spring trip instead of a winter trip, Dolomites will definitely be on the agenda.

For inspiration, here are some pics from the local hill Grignetta in the pre-Alps (you've already seen my pics):
http://www.supertopo.com/tr/My-Italian-Christmas-2013-Grignetta-Bellagio-Lecco-Monza/t12260n.html
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
Jul 19, 2018 - 04:50pm PT
Have a great time Brokedown. Worst comes to worst, there is always Venice.

Photos of you climbing a COR look like you're back in the game.
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
Jul 19, 2018 - 06:45pm PT
BDC, enjoy your pilgrimage - I’m certain you’ve earned it. Looking forward seeing the many photos.....a hardy Berg Heil to you.

Charlie D.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Jul 20, 2018 - 01:07am PT
Have a great time, Broke! You’re an inspiration! Was hoping to go back this fall but my wife is having some probs, maybe late spring now.

FYI, Venice is a zoo but the cognoscenti know how to work around them. Jess sayin’...
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Jul 20, 2018 - 08:02am PT
Roger...great seeing you and Jan at Neptunes last night...kick ass in the Dolomites!
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Jul 20, 2018 - 03:33pm PT
SuperJealous! Really would love to go so I'm very much looking forward to a TR.

Safe travels!
JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
Jul 20, 2018 - 10:21pm PT
Glad to hear you're on the mend, Roger. Hope to see you again at Facelift, and I look forward to your report on the Dolomites.

John
Brokedownclimber

Trad climber
Douglas, WY
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 21, 2018 - 08:13am PT
I've lined up Enrico Maioni (Super Topo drunkfox ) as a guide for 2 days. Planning the first day at Cinque Torri to do some easy conditioning climbs, really in order to see how well I'm doing in my recovery phase. The a second day after we assess what my capabilities are and whether we should keep to the easier stuff for this trip. Possibilities are either the Via Normale on Kleiner Falzaregoturm, or the Via del Buco on the Kleiner Lagazuoi. Then later will have a few days with RKM operating out of Wolkenstein or St. Cristina.

Note added in edit: Just had a visit with primary caregiver to review results from stress EKG. Now free to resume all normal activities, including strenuous hiking and rock climbing. Missed "the big one."
Messages 1 - 20 of total 43 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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