Post Blood Donation Test

I got nothing better to do today so I donated 470cc of my rare AB+ blood to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. I was told that only 2% of the general population in Australia has this particular type of blood so they always love seeing me back. My haemoglobin level is always reasonably high so that half a litre will help a few people in need. Before I left, I picked up a form from the front desk to enrol on the Australian Bone Marrow Registry after reading about it on its website. If you don't have much to do, visit the website and register too! There's also the Organ Donor Register if you are interested. If you really like to help people, get onboard all three like I have!

Anyway, last time I donated blood, I wanted to see how running performance deteriorates within an hour. True to what they said (and recommend never ever do), I didn't even finish the run... Today, I tested cycling after donation and I'm surprised that for a short, medium level ride, it didn't make much difference. Will report next time around September for another stupid test. This time, a hill climb bike ride! The 12-week full recovery time will be just before the big winter trips so probably will only have time to go back to the donation centre in September...

Overland Track Part III

I'm almost certain to visit Tasmania for the third consecutive winter to do the Overland Track. The core group remains the same as the last two years but this year, we are more determined than ever to ascend to the majestic summits of Cradle Mountain and Mount Ossa. The plan is to stay in the northern section and we will have to wait patiently for the weather window to open to sneak up to the summits. The northern section is substantially higher than the southern end with lower temperature, higher winds and heavier snowfalls which means I probably need to carry some more food...

This will most probably be the last time I'll do this track in winter (for a while at least), so hopefully this year's mission will be a success. After experiencing the horrific weather in 2007, 2008 was relatively easy going but without one single mountain summited due to bad weather. Hopefully Overland Track Part III - The Final Act will be triumphant!

Weekend Ride

Went out cycling yet again on Saturday as I continue to wait patiently for the best time to go hiking. The good news is Wilsons Prom has just been reopened to Day Visitors, with the longer walking tracks to be reopened shortly after. The fire threat has diminished to more sensible levels and the recent rain hopefully have re-filled the major water collection points along popular walking trails in Victoria.

Did the usual bike ride from home to Nunawading/Ringwood and back. Unfortunately, when I was riding back at a moderate speed of 25km/h, the bike chain snapped and literally flew off the bike into the bush. Somehow, my good luck didn't seem like ending. I didn't lose control or worse fall off the bike and crash into a tree. Unfortunately, it was a pretty sunny day and poor Tom walked all the way back to Kew from Nunawading (20km). * Sigh *, a 2 hour bike ride turned into a 4 hour trip, mostly walking in the sun pushing a bike...

Got the bike fixed 2 hours after in a bike shop and rode again on Sunday morning. I can't wait till the first hiking trip which is tentatively scheduled to take place this Easter. There's no better way of starting this year's hiking trips than visiting the highest peaks in Australia --- Kosciuszko National Park!

The Himalayan Challenge - Deferred

I've been thinking about an email I received from the New Zealand today. It's from the New Zealand based adventure company whom I did the mountaineering instruction course with last year. The email is an invitation to join the "Three Peaks" trip in Nepal this year. The three peaks are: Island Peak (6189m), Lobuche East (6119m) and Mt Parchamo (6273m). None of these involve any serious vertical climbing but the altitude and the remoteness of these mountains make the three of them combined into one trip a fairly difficult Himalayan adventure. The main risks are: avalanche, crevasses and of course the altitude. As attractive (or not?) as it sounds, I had to reply to say no to this trip. Well...."not this year". Perhaps I can do something like that in 2010 or 2011. I'd rather do a bit more training now and have a better chance of getting to the top of all three. I still think someday Alpamayo is achievable!!! (picture below) This photo is now stuck in my bedroom and my workplace!

I have nearly worked out this year's big trips in winter, which are usually the harder ones for the year:

July - August

• Mt Bogong - Highest mountain in Victoria. Last time I visited in winter was in 2005.
• Mt Buller - Missed the trip up this mountain via the West Ridge last winter. Hopefully will be back in 2009!
  
• Mt Feathertop via the NW Spur. More challenging than going up the usual Bungalow Spur. Steep, exposed and takes a bit longer. More fun though! Or perhaps try to get there via the Razorback?
  

September - Going up a volcano (can't remember which one) in New Zealand. I was told to get some 12-point crampons... Hmmm... Good to have done all the training trips in Australia first!