Papa home again!

Me, Alexander and Benjamin drove down to Marseille yesterday afternoon and had a little mini vacation on our own, enjoying a steak haché frites on the way and kanelbullar and coffee at Ikea. Just enough time for a quick swing through "my swedish shop", get the necessary candy cars and liquorice shoe strings, before parking our butts at the airport, unpatiently awaiting the return of DAD. Slight delay... 30 mins (enough to glance through the Paris Match and get the latest gossip), and there appeared a limping, sun tanned face with heavy luggage, not too unshaven. Big hugs, big kisses... and home we limped/drove. Bram's probably had a little too much pressure on one knee... (rest and chiropractor will fix it). Great opportunity for story telling and catching up. And at home enough time for opening up the souvenir bag full of surprises! Wonderful gifts for everyone. I just love the indian craftsmanship, it's so beautiful! I got a prettty necklace made out of a coconut and an avocado stone and a lovely belt and buckle. The kids had necklaces, bracelets, pan fluits, belts, hats and Bram got his own personal eternal souvenir... Thank you dad for all the lovely things !!

After hearing all the stories and seeing all the photos, I can only conclude; what a fantastic trip they've had together! Bram said 3 weeks felt like 2 months, they've seen and done so many things. Comparing my blog to Bram's own words, the information received from Tim and Bram, conveyed on the blog, is pretty accurate. I've definetively exaggarated about the swimming with piranhas and dolphins though!! The dolphins were there to be seen but were not that close... and they didn't go into any still standing water where the piranhas and the caymans sit. That would have been really foolish... Like only some bones remaining of two strong dutchmen ;-))) But it was good for the story though!! (Note that at the time I wrote it, it was the impression I had at the time!!) And Bram was not THAT tired on his second summit... it was really heavy and he had no legs, but he had enough to get up there. No digging in for some extra magic strength. That doesn't really exist, does it??

I think it's fantastic Bram and Tim keep up their trips together and I envy their friendship. It's rare. Care for it well. Can't wait to hear where your next adventure will go. Tim's got bitten by climbing...

Thank you Brigitte for your reports and thank you Bram and Tim for sharing your souvenirs with us. Stay tuned...

xx Jen

Close, but no cigar..

Well... it was not meant to be. They didn't make the summit, however a good attempt though! Bram wanted to get out really early, some parts are tricky when it gets too warm, with rock falls, the famous "sugar" on the plain between the Venteimilla and Whymper summit and avalanche warnings. It had been snowing, about 20 cm of fresh powder, so they were out already by 22:30, an hour early. No other group was even attempting for the summit, but Bram, Tim and the guide felt pretty confident and decided to give it a shot. And it was good going, no problems at all. Very qualified guide and in the beginning it looked quite promising. Bram felt just great, easy going. But after 4 hours, somewhere around 5900m, Tim started to cave in. Knees were painful and he was very tired. Some paracetamol for the pain, Bram and the guide seriously pushing him to the limit, to try to find that extra strength. But... 1/2 hour later, at approx 6000m, he'd given everything and could not go any further. With one guide, there's only one rule on the mountain and that is to turn back together. That's the game and no matter how great you feel, everyone go down with their mate. Bram WAS feeling super, but today it didn't happen and he's just fine with that. It's been a fantastic adventure, 2 summits and a 3rd one in reach. I know that Bram knows what he's capable of. He doesn't need the summit to proove it. Comradeship and safety always come first and I know they've had a great adventure together. This adventure is almost over and it was a beautiful one. Can't wait to hear the stories and see the photos. And to have my man home again.

Enjoy your last day in Quito, bring some nice gifts with you home to your families, have a safe trip home. Love you.

Stay tuned... for the next adventure and Bram's own "editorial" to be posted soon. With photos. And I'll add the last 900m to the Tenebo project. Hopefully I'll be adding YOU as a sponsor too.

Last night (I hope) on the mountain

Tim and Bram were picked up at 9am this morning by the 4WD, taking them to Chimborazo. It's a 2 hr drive, then another hour hiking up to the Whymper refuge at 5000m. That's even higher than the Mt Blanc! They should actually have reached the lodge at this very moment! They'll spend the afternoon resting, eating and acklimatizing. At 23h they'll start the ascent for the summit, which stands at 6397m. Not a very shy altitude...

Like I always do... I did my research and came across some interesting information about this mountain. There are kind of two summits. Only standing some 50m apart. The first one is the easy one to reach, the Veintimilla summit (right). From here you see the other bump, the real summit, Whymper (left) . But in between there's like a pool of snow and if you get to this point too late in the morning, the snow turns into chrystallized sugar (this is apparently a common phenomenen being so close to the equator), and you'll literally sink into your armpits. Some guides will not even tell their clients that there's a second bump. They hate the 'sugar traverse' since it can be extremely tricky and dangerous. Tomorrow we'll find out if they'll manage to go all he way... stay tuned!

Summit n° 2 - with update from Bram

Bram made the summit! It was very tough going this morning... gave up twice but found strength to go on and it paid off. Super Bram! Don't have more details, they're on their way back to their hotel now, so I'll get a summary from Bram later, which I'll of course post asap! I'm so proud of you Bram! Now two days of well earned rest and hopefully you're both fit for fight friday for the last summit, Chimborazo. Stay tuned..

Finally that phonecall! Bram phoned home late yesterday evening, after returning to Riobamba and the hotel and after having a needed nap... It was a heavy climb but one of the most beautiful ones he ever made. They arrived at the mountain on tuesday afternoon, from there there's a 45 min hike up to the lodge. Lot's of stuff to carry up for cooking, sleeping etc and Bram kept pointing out that their own bag with climbing gear must not be left behind. No problemos senor.. and of course everything, except their climbing bag, arrived at the lodge. Great... anyhow, somebody got organised and the bag finally made the lodge! Tim's intestines were rumbling and he kept going on the toilet, so he decided no to go on this climb, in case he would have to turn around. Bram was up at midnight, and a little bit after 1 am he and the guide were out. A beautiful night, conditions could not have been better! No wind, not too cold and a full moon. Spectacular! But pretty soon, he feels he's got no legs at all. And it is hard going forward, almost too hard. Legs just won't kick in, feeling faint, like you feel after a day of a stomach flue. But after a tea break later on, mental strength and being plainly stubborn, he found new strength and pace and a few heavy last steps... summit! Some parts were very steep and heavy to climb but otherwise not technically a difficult ascent. Photos with the Tenebo flag, an awesome sunrise to humbly watch and down again. Magic.

If I got the altitude meters right, they stand at Carihuairazo 4200 - 5018 = 818m plus Cotopaxi 4800 - 5897 = 1097, a total of 1915m à 1 cent is 19 euros/sponsor. Kind of cheap, don't you think... Stay tuned!

Shitty shits

Tim's too troubled by his intestines and decided not to join Bram on the climb this morning. In case Tim needed to go back, Bram would have had to go with him. At least there's one man giving it a go... keep the thumbs up ofr Bram and that Tim recovers and is in shape for Chimborazo. The shits is a common trouble on altitude... nothing to do with a stomach bug. Heads up boys!

Refuge Jose Ribas - Cotopaxi here we come

At 24h last night (6am our time this morning) the guys were up and getting ready for the summit of Cotopaxi, standing 5897m, the worlds highest active volcano. Rated as a beginners' level of alpine mountaineering, weather conditions and altitude can still turn this volcano into a tough job.

Refuge Jose Ribas sits at 4800m, a popular spot since this mountain is probably the most popular one to be climbed in Equador. Tim's had the shits for the last 2 days.. pills have not done a great job stopping it so hopefully he's feeling good and is there with Bram climbing this morning. Now being out for 2-3 hours, they should have reached good altitude already, if conditions are favourable. Brigitte will hopefully get a summit call, as soon as I have news I'll post it !! Stay tuned....

Story of the Day

Ring, ring... Riobamba calling home. Just had Bram on the phone, so nice to hear his voice. They're doing really great and what a story he had to tell...

Up at 2:30 this morning and after a quick breakfast they were out starting the climb. Tim, Bram and the main guide. It started off really well ;-) with Tim forgetting his headlamp. And after 15 minutes it got even better with the guide not feeling well, returning to the lodge, sending his assistant up to continue. Tim decided to walk ahead while Bram waited for the assistant not being 100% of the path. Wise, cause Tim hit it off the wrong way... He was nowhere to be found. Bram and the assistant yelling their lungs out so that Tim would hear them. No Tim (who's got no headlamp). Main guide shows up and wonders what the hell is going on, taking it all out on the poor assistant! Eventually Tim comes back, main guide sends the other guy down again and off they go. Bram a little mad at Tim for taking off and mad at the guide for yelling. They reach the glacier and strap on their crampons. Turns out it's too warm outside, snow is really soft and especially Tim who's heavy, sinks through the snow all the time. To his hips! It really is no doing at all... On top of that is hailing, snowing and severe winds. So Bram takes his rugsack off and leaves it behind, moves in front and start trailing a path forward. And in this way it works and they manage to pick up speed. At 9 am they're on the summit! They skip the last 4m on that rocky part, conditions were just too hazardeous that it would have foolish. Awesome! The guide ended up apologizing for his behaviour on their way down, so everything is honky dory again.
Bram's just had a shower and they're out grabbing something to eat. Then get some serious rest and sleep cause tomorrow they leave for Cotopaxi, the worlds highest active volcano. A 3hr drive will take them to the mountain with a 45 min hike up to the refuge. Eraly Wednesday morning they're early out again for their 2nd summit. Hopefully a little luckier with the weather and not leaving any headlamps OR each other behind..
Sweet dreams. Stay tuned...

Two more to go...

YES ! Live phone call from first summit at 3pm! They're both on the top of Carihuairazo at 5018m. Very very heavy due to lot's of snow. Bram's up in the front paving way and creating a path, or Tim'll sink in to his hips! One guide with them. Visibility = 5m... Conditions are tough, so super guys you made it to the top. More news later tonight upon return in Riobamba.

The guys on the picture are not Bram and Tim, but conditions seem similar. The bump in the middle of the left image is the actual summit. Pretty weird huh?

Good job guys. Stay tuned..

Megaclimax

Saturday: Swooooossshhhh... from 4800m to 2800m, speeding down a volcano on a mountain bike. Conditions could not have been better, with fantastic weather offering stunning views of the surrounding snowcapped volcanos and the andes landscape. Just awesome. And not a bad luck in sight, not even a flat tire. And Riobamba is growing on the boys. A taxi to downtown is only 80 cents, good restaurants after all with more gambas and steaks. For only 3 bucks. The boys start to know their way around!

Sunday morning: Mountains here they come. Finally! Breakfast and gearing up for a 2-day trip. A 4WD is ready to take them to the refuge where they sleep tonight. Probably a couple of hours drive. Tomorrow is the first attempt for a summit, leaving the refuge at 3 am. Climb up is estimated to approx 4 hours, so tomorrow morning when I've dropped the kids at school, they strap on their crampons and should be standing on Carihuairazo, 5018m, at 1pm our time. Here a short description, a little contradictory to Brams vision of a walk in the park : "Carihuairazo lies to the north east of its much vaster neighbour Chimborazo. Depending on conditions the final summit on the ridge can be difficult or impossible (and the penultimate summit may be less than straightforward). The normal route to Carihuairazo Maxima (5,018m) starts from a camping spot at ~4,600m, reaching the main ridge either via the SW-ridge or from West via the glacier, followed by a difficult technical climb to reach the summit tower." Carihuairazo's Glacier has lost an important part of its mass during the last decade as a result of global warming and ash covers caused by the recent volcanic activity of its eastern neighbour Tungurahua. Carihuairazo is considered inactive though. Have a safe summit push. We wait for more news. Stay tuned...

Anticlimax

Yesterday's train trip was spectacular, but.... as they were getting closer to the final and most exciting part of the trip, the climb to 4000m, it turned out an earthquake the day before had damaged the rails. A bit of an anti-climax... so back they went with the train to Riobamba!

Riobamba is a small town, people try to live of what they can make, the houses are in poor condition. Simple and the prices are ridiculosly low of course, from our point of view that is! Since the hotel is not in the center of town, Tim and Bram tried to find a place for dinner last night... not easy. The best place they missed, they couldn't imagine that THAT place was actually a restaurant. Second place was kind of a living room, divided in 4 parts, where starters came at 0.80$ and main dishes at 3$. Lot's of piggy food, rather geasy. Tim got greedy and ordered an extra starter, now he's got the cramps. Nothing serious though.

Today is the mountain bike ride down the Chimborazo face... From the earth’s core this mountain is the highest in the world and biking it downhill is an unequalled experience. From Riobamba a 4WD will take them to Carrel Brothers mountain refuge at 4800 mts. of altitude. From here, if well acclimatized and weather conditions permit, you can trek up to 5450 m. Biking starts at 4800 mts. On their way down they might spot vicuñas and other fauna in their natural habitat, observe the impressive La Chorrera canyon and amazing views of Colta lake, the Riobamba valley and great mountain ranges capped with six snowpeaks. Have a safe ride and don't forget to put on your helmets!! Stay tuned...

Quito & Riobamba

Two starving boys headed out for dinner on tuesday night, after a long journey back from the amazone. 3 hours by boat, 2 hours by car and 1 hour flight. Kind of remote... No wonder why it's so untouched and beautiful! Great steak and fresh gambas on the barbie... cold beer.... it tasted GREAT. And for only 14 bucks (for the two of them!), it tasted even better. Plans were made for the rest of the week, starting by taking a day off and discover parts of Quito.

After breakfast it was an hour walk down to the most renommated part of Quito, the old town. The inkas destroyed it before the spanish invasion, but the spaniards rebuild it, and it's very pretty! Quito has a great cultural heritage and many bautiful buildings and interesting museums, but there's not enough time to go into any depth. Instead they decided to get out of Quito a few days earlier and head for the mountains and the town of Riobamba.

So yesterday morning they packed their stuff, got a cab to take them to the busstop, where a local bus leaves every hour for Riobamba. It's a 3 hr ride.. but of course the taxidriver picked up on Bram's and Tim's conversation and proposed he'd drive them there instead. For another couple of bucks... (in south america gasline still come cheap ;-) , so of course they took up the driver on his generous offer! Great opportunity to practice some spanish.

The hotel lays in the outskirts of Riobamba, nice place but dubious surroundings... but it should be ok, this is the hotel recommended by the tour operator. Tim called Brigitte to give her an update while Bram went to a more private room to take a.. you know. Only to discover, (when done), that there's not water in the hotel. Cojones..... !!! Much to Brigittes pleasure, who overheard Bram swearing from a distance. hahaha. Water did return later..

I mentioned to Brigitte that it would be nice if Bram could give me a call, after all it's been a week now... I'm sure there were phonebooths in Quito, if he didn't want to bugger Tim for his Blackberry.. Brigitte fired off an sms to Tim... and voila! Bram phoned home immediately: - Hi honey, I had to call you ??? @#*? Caramba, Riobamba... grrrrrr, you don't H A V E to call, but it's nice if you do. Such a typical laid back Bramos . Spoiled gringo. Bueno... i'm kind of joking, I'm used to it. He just knows that everthing is ok at home, Tim works the phone, so what's the big deal. ;-)

Riobamba seems to be the place to be. "Vet cool" Tim says, that is "awesome" in english. Today it's rise and shine early for the Devil's train up to Banos. You get on the train, on the roof, before the sun comes up. And then you ride up to approx 4000m through beautiful landscape and stunning views. The mornings are chilly, so you want to be dressed for the occasion. Tomorrow they'll travel to some place at 5000m, and ride down to 2200 on mountain bike. Seems the guys have found themselves some great activities for acclimatisation... Life's a bitch. Stay tuned.

Meet my new friends..

Bram and Tim are back in Quito. They're overwhelmed by their trip to the amazonas... it was just so amazing. Untouched nature, where man and nature live in harmony. A kind of a "once in a lifetime " experience. And they got it all... You read about the rare species and sightings but not for a second did they imagine they were actually going to see so much. They were guided and catered for by local indians, sleeping in lodges and having local food being prepared for them. Lagoons, paradise nature, so many sounds, surrounding you as you paddle your way up and down the river. Bathing with the pink dolphin... hearing them approaching you by a "swoooooooosh" sound... Diving in, snorkeling with the piranhas. Nude. Night walks through the rainforest, with bats diving all around you, watching some very scary insects. I think. Big spiders, big centipedes, big ants... everything is BIG BIG BIG. Peroquets in every coulour, birds so many and different you just cannot imagine. Caymans hiding along the river banks. Cut-off from the modern world and fortunate to take part of this wonder just makes you very very humble. And hopeful. That mankind is not destroying it all.
But as off today, they need to set their minds to acklimatsation of altitude and prepare for the mountains coming up in a couple of days. But no matter what happens, I think they're deeply touched and will carry this beautiful memory forever.
Meet some of their new acquintances... and read the stories/myths around them!

Bullet ant: The pain caused by this insect's sting is purported to be greater than that of any other Hymenopteran, and is ranked as the most painful according to the Schmidt Sting Pain Index. It is described as being hit by a bullet, causing "waves of burning, throbbing, all-consuming pain that continues unabated for up to 24 hours". In some indigenous communities, to enter manhood a boy has to endure being stung by the ant 20 times without screaming

In a traditional amazon river myth, at night an Amazon River Dolphin becomes a handsome young man who seduces girls, impregnates them, then returns to the river in the morning to become an Amazon River Dolphin again. This dolphin shapeshifter is called an encantado. It has been suggested that the myth arose partly because dolphin genitalia bear a resemblance to that of humans. In the local area, there are also tales that it is bad luck to kill an Amazon River Dolphin. Legend also states that if a person makes eye contact with an Amazon River Dolphin, that person will have nightmares for the rest of his or her life.

The world has many moist, warm, and dark cavities where phobia-inspiring organisms quietly lurk. The tropical climate of South America's Amazon jungle has an unnaturally large number of such pockets, and consequently that region is home to unnaturally large specimens.
One such example is the Scolopendra gigantea, a venomous, red-maroon centipede with forty-six yellow-tinted legs. These centipedes are the largest in the world, and they are more commonly known as Amazonian giant centipedes due to their massive size. Adults commonly reach lengths of over thirty-five centimeters– the length of a man's forearm. Not only are these creatures very swift runners, but they are also highly adept climbers, a skill which allows them to scale walls to enjoy some surprisingly ambitious prey.

Jungle calling home!

Reporter Brigitte just got a phone call from Tim, he managed to pick up some sort of connection for a couple of secs. They're great, awesome trip in the amazonas, everything just amazing, now on their way back to Quito, more news later tonight (our time) when they arrive at the hotel. Brigitte (on photo), you're a star! Sweet dreams,

xx Jen

The adventure has started..

Seems the spanish stewardesses has something with Bram... they moved him up in first / business class for the long leg between Madrid and Quito. Chair with buttons to fold down in bedposition, up again, all kinds of gadgets, champagne and lobster, a wine tasting event, great entertainment on your screen... The 13 hr flight turned into a relaxing stretch with full service. Some people are really lucky... the 2m tall and 90 kg fridge size Tim was not so lucky.. he sat folded up in monkey class, wondering when Bram would show up and swop for a couple of hours. Strangest thing happened... Bram never showed ;-) Bram says he went in the back a couple of times, but found Tim sleeping, and didn't want to wake him up. Hm, don't you think this story stinks?

Anyhow, with an hour delay they arrived safe and sound in Quito. A scary airport right smack in the middle of the town. Grabbing a taxi on the street, they could almost touch the big planes roaring in over them. One of those places you just don't want to have an accident. Hudson river is better... Is probably not a pilot favourite landing spot, since Quito often deals with winds, rain and thunderstorms.

Off they went to the hotel, nice place. Even a kareoke thing going on in the bar (if that is a +..). A quick tour downtown to grab and bite and a beer in pouring rain and then trying to get some sleep. Not so succesful... altitude kicks in and you're all hyped and sleep doesn't come easy.

Morning presented great weather, but no time for sighseeing. Just enough for breakfast and packing a smaller rugsack for the 4-day trip to the tropical Amazonas. The rest of the stuff they left behind, since they're coming back to stay for a few days after the jungle tour. Taxi to the airport and airborne in one of those small jumpy planes not looking too friendly... An hour flight takes you to Lago Agrio, (a haven for colombian refugees and guerillas) where they're met up by car for a further drive into the jungle. From there on... by canoe! Tim brought his swimgear along (not sure Bram did??), cause there's opportunity to swim with the piranhas. Yes, you heard me. I mean, who wants to swim with them?????

Better check Bram's willy when he gets home, if it's still there ;-) Tim might be luckier with his swimtrunks. I know for sure that Bram will go in the water. This is the guy who still dreams of diving with sharks. Well, well... what can I say. Nada.
I'm not so sure about the camping arrangements, but Brigitte thinks they are sleeping in tents. Must be so exciting with an environment full of exotic sounds, crazy animals and a nature so green your eyes hurt. Can't wait to hear about it upon their return, scheduled for tuesday. No wifi or other connection possibility where they are. They're disconnected from the modern world. Awesome!

I had a great birthday, with Bo and Anette staying over for the weekend, making my day with champagne and birthday gifts. We had a real fun night, great dinner and talks. This morning we had a lovely long walk in the vineyards, enjoying a pre-spring day with no wind and birds singing. Fantastic! Thank you everybody for you calls and greetings!!! I wasn't home late afternoon since I had a birthday apero set up in the stables with my friends.. but I've listened to all those lovely voices singing happy birthday on my answering machine. Wonderful really !!

Tomorroz I will present to you... the Uuden family. That is Tim and his big gang. Meet the Fokkers... haha

That's all for me for now, have to get the housework done with the kids, cook some dinner and put them in bed in good time, last night was late. But that's the way it should be when you have a party! Stay tuned...

xxx Jen