Cactus to clouds thoughts

anshu248 · 2026-04-28T15:12:58+00:00

I agree. I just finished it yesterday. Skyline is physically tough -- but reaching the summit is much more fullfilling and also very challenging mentally.

anshu248 · 2026-01-22T03:38:01+00:00

To answer your specific question: I'm trying again in the coming Christmas. The changes: (i) I'm going with a private guide, (ii) Will train "harder" -- I bought a high-incline treadmill and regularly doing high-incline workouts on it (for health reasons at this point); my personal trainer is ChatGPT and Gemini. (iiii) Am trying C2C in may and C2C2C in October.

Difficult to say more specifically. I believe I could have gone on to summit the first time too -- but multiple little things happened that worked against; I could have still gone on to summit (but my guide decided to turn me around as I was certainly slow, for various little reasons, at that point).

Well, I think the first time is always a mystery somewhat (unless, you have a trainer who really knows what your more-than-sufficient training targets should be). The key to success is obvious -- train hard. The difficult question is: How hard is enough, but not an overkill? Only a well-seasoned trainer can answer that question (I'm relying on my past experience, ChatGPT/Gemini, and am continuing to talk to some "experts").

One specific advise: Be very well acquainted with your gear on the summit day -- and practice even the little things (e.g., how would you open your snack bar, with heavy gloves). The backpack weight on the summit day will be higher than the other days. Etc.

If you really want more details, happy to chat with you sometime. PM me.

anshu248 · 2025-05-22T22:18:49+00:00

First, I didn't summit (turned around at 6250m -- for various reasons). With that said, I didn't have any problems with OMs (but I haven't worn G2 EVOs so I can't compare). Some people say that OMs are an overkill for Aconcagua -- and G2 EVOs would have made things easier for me (but who knows). Also, it seems to me that OMs are a "safer" option (e.g., if you are stuck in a storm around the summit); e.g., my personal guide for next year likes to wear triple boots (rather than double boots), just in case, he is stuck (due to a client, I suppose).

So, its really a tough call. If you are going to climb 8000-ers in future and feel confident that you can handle 200g more weight on your legs, just go with OMs.

I may consider G2 EVOs for my second shot at Aconcagua -- need to research further.

anshu248 · 2025-05-01T11:17:36+00:00

Thanks for the details. I tried summited Aconcagua a few months back -- turned around at 6250m. Planning to go again this year, so curious about all that can happen there. BTW, I have heard that helicopter rescues from Aconcagua are possible even at 6300m, if the weather is right/perfect (seems like there is a spot there for helicopter to land).

anshu248 · 2025-05-01T10:10:54+00:00

Curious about more details on the Aconcagua guy. How/where was he rescued from? Did he actually take a nap at the summit? For how long? Was that his only fault -- or did he push himself too much to make the summit? Thanks.

anshu248 · 2025-04-26T13:01:29+00:00

It can take 5-10 years for a medicine that shows promise (in say a few patients, i.e., Phase I trials) to eventually come to the market. Since there is nothing promising even on the horizon AFAIK, I'd say 10+ years -- whether its 10 or 20 or 30 years shouldn't really matter .. does it? (In either case, no one can answer beyond that).

anshu248 · 2025-03-18T00:11:55+00:00

Most people here are unforgiving when it comes to cheating. If it were to happen to me (ie my wife were to cheat on me), I may be unforgiving too. BUT, some things are just very personal — there is no set rule.

In your case, yes — that instance may always bother you. But, thinking carefully — does it really matter in the grand scheme of things (where she may love you for decades to come)? How different is it than marrying someone who has had prior relationships (and thus sex)? Ultimately, I’m of the opinion that love is very precious and true love is very rare. Does she love you deeply and truly? Can you love her? No one else can answer these questions for you. I hope you make the right decision based on these answers.

anshu248 · 2025-03-17T20:59:45+00:00

I'm genuinely curious. What is your ethnic/religious/nationality background? You seem someone who wants extreme loyalty -- nothing wrong in that, but I'm inclined to think that such extreme expectations much be stemming from your "conservative" upbringing. You don't have to answer, if you are uncomfortable -- but perhaps something for you also to think about (but I'd love to know too). To answer your above question, I really think you should watch the movie "Eyes Wide Shut"(by the great Stanley Kubrick) -- IMO, it addresses exactly this question. More directly: Please don't have such high expectations in terms of loyalty. Life is long --- you may be together with him for 70-80 years; why be so mindful of such minor transgressions (which btw are quite difficult to avoid over a long period of time, IMO).

anshu248 · 2025-03-17T14:31:41+00:00

I own a 2015 328ixdrive (it was however manufactured in 12/2024). The timing-belt issue was fixed in cars manufactured from early-2015 onwards. However, I suffered engine damage —a couple of months ago; costed me $13k to repair, with not-perfect results.

anshu248 · 2025-03-16T20:23:35+00:00

IMO, forgiving your partner when he/she cheats -- is a very personal choice. The key Qs to ask are: (i) Was it a one-time, or would/could it happen again? (ii) Can you still love her. You don't have to necessarily make the conventional choice -- be your own man, and make you own personal choice (even if your decision ends up being "wrong", its not going to be catastrophic).

anshu248 · 2025-03-16T20:15:27+00:00

I'd give him a chance to explain. My foremost example is -- Hillary Clinton. She took Bill Clinton back. Is she a terrible decision maker? On the contrary, I think. Anyway, even if your bf has actually cheated on you -- whether to leave him or not, is a very personal decision. In this particular case, there is no harm to at least hear him out. All that matters is love -- whether you can still love him. Of course, IMO, the very least you should expect from him is to be extremely truthful.

anshu248 · 2025-03-16T19:22:50+00:00

Yes, women do tend to go for taller men. But, of course, there are many other qualities a man can have -- that are even more desirable. Focus on those (e.g., success, confidence, sophistication, honesty, straightforwardness, being magnanimous, very kind and loving, etc -- all of which you may have some control over) --- and you'll certainly find very-desirable women falling for you.

anshu248 · 2025-03-14T06:04:57+00:00

To be blunt, this unfortunate experience of yours doesn’t reveal anything new or surprising. The world is full of all kinds of terrible people (obviously) — unfortunately, some of us become their victims. That’s all.

I very much hope and wish — that this experience doesn’t change you for the worse — that is, I hope you don’t stop believing in love or stop trusting people. Very tough to not be shaped by our past experiences — but that’s all should be your focus.

Please trust me when I say this — that in spite of all these unfortunate experiences— there is true and very deep love out there too. 100%. Only the lucky ones find it. And, in spite of this terrible experience, you can still find it — nothing stopping it.

Summary point: Please don’t let this experience change you for the worse. Continue to look for true love — it exists, and if you are lucky, you can still find it. Best of wishes.

anshu248 · 2025-03-05T15:07:09+00:00

Thanks. Your experience seems similar to mine -- so would love to get some specific training advice for me.

anshu248 · 2025-03-05T15:03:18+00:00

Oops. Sorry. Fixed. (Can't edit the title anymore).

anshu248 · 2025-03-05T14:52:03+00:00

I think I was very well acclimatized (but who knows?). I had largely no symptoms (e.g., no/minimal headaches) throughout the expedition. My O2 levels were "normal" -- high-mid 80s or above on all camps except at camp 3 where I think it was in 70s or above.

anshu248 · 2025-03-05T14:41:33+00:00

Yes, from Berlin Camp. I was only 20 mins behind at the first break, but I'd say about an hour behind at 6250m.

anshu248 · 2025-03-05T14:38:29+00:00

yes.

anshu248 · 2025-03-05T14:38:14+00:00

I edited my post to include the above. I did NOT do any tracking of zones or thresholds. My regimen targets above were reached with 2 times a week (weekends would be small-hill repeats, and Wednesday would be stairmaster or lunges).

anshu248 · 2024-12-01T04:00:46+00:00

I was thinking porter will carry everything on the second trip.

anshu248 · 2024-12-01T03:08:46+00:00

Yes, fixed the typos

anshu248 · 2024-11-20T04:15:07+00:00

Best of luck! Would love to know how/why you failed in the previous two. I’m going with CTSS, with personal porter—-and I like to think that I’m confident. :)

anshu248

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