Climbing Papers
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Figurative Essay
1260 words, 6 pages
I have this irrational fear. It causes my legs to shake. I break out in a cold sweat. I start jabbering to anyone near me. As thoughts of certain death run through my mind, the world appears a precious, treasured place. I imagine my own funeral, and then shrink back at the implications of where my thoughts are taking me. My stomach feels odd. My palms are sweaty. I am absolutely terrified of heights. Of course, its not really the fear of being in a high place like a skyscraper. Rather, it is the view of a long way to fall, of rocks far below me and no substantial wal
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From Taking On The World Ellen Macarthur And The Vendée Globe Solo Round-the-world Yacht Race
1521 words, 7 pages
Ellen MacArthur became famous in 2001 when she competed in the Vendée Globe solo round-the-world yacht race. She was the youngest (24 years old) and probably the shortest (just 5ft 2in!) competitor. She came second, despite appalling weather, exhaustion and, as she describes here, problems with her boat. I climbed the mast on Christmas Eve, and though I had time to get ready, it was the hardest climb to date. I had worked through the night preparing for it, making sure I had all the tools, mouse lines and bits I might need, and had agonised for hours over how I should prepare the halyard so th
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The Climb
1525 words, 7 pages
I have this fear. It causes my legs to shake like an earthquake. I break out in a cold sweat. I start jabbering randomness to anyone who is nearby. As thoughts of certain death run through my mind, the world appears a precious, treasured place. I imagine my own funeral and then shrink back at the implications of where my thoughts are taking me. My stomach feels strange, like its being eaten by little gremlins. My palms are clammy. I am terrified of heights. Of course, its not really a fear of being in a high place. Rather, it is the view of a long way to fall, of rocks far below me and
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Who Are Sherpas
1498 words, 6 pages
Sherpas are nomadic people who settled in Nepal. Sherpas are highly known for their elite mountaineering and experts in their local Himalayan region, serving as guides at the extreme altitudes. It has been speculated that part of the Sherpas climbing ability is a result of a genetic adaption to living on high altitudes; some of the adaptions include unique hemoglobin and doubled nitric oxide production. Some may look at the Sherpa people as mystical gods of nature. Despite all of the good things that Sherpas are known for and their abilities that they are capabl
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