5/07/06

Team No Limits, Matt Tredway, reports in from Kathmandu

Tredway making his way through the Ice Fall

Hello, this is Matt with a little explanation of my scenario. I was on my way to Camp III for a final acclimatization push. I was traveling well and feeling strong - I even made my best time thru the Khumbu Icefall. All of the sudden, I felt a huge discomfort in my chest. The phenomenon that I encountered is really hard to describe. Doug got me to sit down and rest and then I tried to continue. After feeling the same chest pain two more times, I knew that I had to turn around.  

I thought that I would just go down and rest for a while - and things would improve. I thought that perhaps I had just over done it the day before. As they say, at altitude, you have to listen to your body. My brain, of course, was telling me to continue on - but my body was no longer cooperating. As I said, I thought I would go down to Camp I or Base Camp for a while and things would get better. I ended up climbing down the Khumbu Icefall and then seeking medical attention at the Base Camp Medical Clinic. I thought for sure that they would just give me an aspirin and get me back out there, however, this was not the case.  

What they did do is put me on an EKG and determined from there that my climb had to come to an end. Disappointment hovered over me like a dark cloud. I suppose all Everest climbers who are forced to give up there dream feel this same emotional let down. I have focused for four years on this and have trained relentlessly. I have mentally rehearsed every detail of this climb, memorized the route, and read every bit of information I could get my hands on.   I was honored to have a sponsorship by Ford Direct. I left my job. I left my family and I was trying to do everything right with regards to my health. To have my dream cut short like this, is a bitter disappointment.

In spite of my disappointment,I am happy I listened to my body because I could have easily made a poor decision to continue. My head was sure that I could make it to the top of this mountain - but it looks like my body wasn't as sure. At any rate, I am fine. I was evacuated out by helicopter - and am now safely stowed in Kathmandu.  

I would like to say thanks to everyone who has followed my climb - and would like to say thanks so much to Ford Direct!