Day 7 - bad news

Was it too good to be true?? I don't think so. But Tim's heel string/tendon is not holding up. Since it was still painful this morning, he decided to have the doctor take a look at it. And according to his medical advice, the string is about to burst. No more climbing, no more hiking at all on this trip. Over and out. A harsh conclusion.
Yeah, I had to swallow a couple of times getting the bad news. Tim's fuming, so mad, so.... what can I say. You know. F-g mad! But it's not an advice you go against. The doctor has put him on heavy medication, antibiotics etc. And another visit is due tonight at 7pm, that's when the final verdict falls. But no more climbing, that's a given. But perhaps he can stay in base camp, because as it looks at the moment, he cannot even walk back to Mendoza, but would have to get on one of the mules and fly home probably on wednesday.

Bram has tried to give Tim some comfort... but I suppose it'll take some time for Tim to accept. You're in bloody top shape, everything just works so smoothly, and then this.... S-T.

I'll leave it by this for the moment, more news tonight, hopefully with a little hope for at least being able to stay put.
*******

Ok... the final verdict is there. The doctor had another look at Tim's heel tendon, and no way..; adventure is definetively over. Even the ride back towards Mendoza has to been split up in two days, already the impact of the stirrups is enough to hurt the heel even more. So tomorrow he leaves by noon, rides with the assistants for 30 kms, make camp for the night, then on Tuesday another 30 kms until you hit the road to Mendoza, where he'll be met by a 4-wheel drive to take him to his hotel. Brigitte is trying to change his ticket so that he can fly home on Wednesday. With those good damn idiots at Iberia... This is of course bad enough, but with Tim also goes the satellite phone, meaning radio silence for the coming days following Bram up the mountain! That is shit. Tim's rented the phone at Schiphol, so it has to come back, but perhaps Tim could extend the rental, let Bram keep the phone, and I'll have UPS sending it by courier upon his return??? It's worth the extra money. But I don't know how much I'm talking about of course, but I give a damn. I'll see what Brigitte can organise with Tim.

I'm back tomorrow, hopefully with some good news. Tim, my heart goes out to you!

xx Jen & Bok