My Good-Luck Charm

In my previous post about the “Death Zone” I gave a bit of scare to myself, too, believing that nothing can be scarier. Now I can see how utterly wrong I was. Tell me about deadly stuff, packing up is by far the deadliest disaster that beats all Death Zones – and that’s exactly what I’ve been preoccupied with for the better part of the month (that is, in daytime; by night I’ve been haunted by vivid dreams stressing the hell out of me). The whole family is looking forward to the final night when the expedition stuff disappears in giant bags to be taken away and the expedition storeroom can be restored to children’s room condition. Finishing line and starting line at once. The journey will begin.

Ok, now that I’ve released my frustration… you know what, packing up is a piece of cake – and even more so if supervised by my good-luck charm: the little doll shown in the photo. You might guess that it is indispensable to me, part of my personal kit – there’s so much we’ve been through together. And yet another little helper: I am shyly winking at the eye-shaped little stone on my ring finger. Many a Sherpa wears a stone of this kind on his neck believing in its spiritual powers: it guards him and endows him with strength. My magic ring will protect me in the same way.

The last thing to pack, in order feed the beast of bureaucracy: a handy sleeve holding a host of stamped documents. Special insurance for altitude above 6,000 meters (a nice try… but no helicopter will get that high anyway). The visa – business as usual. In addition, K2 requires a special mountain-climbing permit. Plus a document certifying that I find myself in a satisfactory health condition (let me confide t you that I am “eligible with no fault”).

Good luck to all of you too!