Was it all Hollywood, or is this verified photo a mockup only for training purposes?
These thoughts began running through my head when I received Rod's solo, uncorroborated report on his activities on May 3rd, as Myriam and I were enjoying a canal cruise in St Petersburg.
I publish it below verbatim for you to judge for yourself whether the 'facts' were in fact a finely constructed conspiracy to fool the WAGS into believing that Rod had done 'The Real Thing',or had he mastered flying a remote drone to take pictures of himself ascending the mighty peaks of the central Algarve.
Here it is:
Walk Report!
Once again I was left in solitude to undertake this week's effort and decided rather than complete the statutory 10k, to face the prospect of a challenging solo ascent. I opted for the mighty TP Torre Cercas, one of the three highest peaks in the Freguesia de Silves.
I set out from Base Camp on a bright sunny morning and could just make out the summit shimmering through frequent gaps in the clouds. The ascent was steep and, without crampons, ropes or oxygen, proved one of the toughest challenges I have faced
Here I can be seen attacking the final few metres before summitting...nearly at the end of my tether. ( Fortunately one of my donkeys was at the other end who would have saved me from certain oblivion had I slipped)
Here I may be seen triumphantly on the summit admiring the stupendous views of the Silves citrus forests spread out below me.
Below me here are the forbidding rocks of the so far unclimbed North Face of the Torre Cercas. This is a challenge to be faced on a future occasion when on a solo WAGS venture.
On my eventual return to Base Camp supplies of Tostas Mistas and Bifanas had run out so post climb revival was on coffee and digestive biscuits.
And now for a well earned holiday in the Azores. ...perhaps a quick shin up Pico next Wednesday!?
Fotos by personally operated high altitude drone.
Well I will leave you to judge for yourselves. The third photo is quite compelling as you can make out the skull of a former climber who did not have the tenacity or endurance of Our Rod! Perhaps a Mallory or a Captain Oates of a bygone expedition.
Rod will be open to interrogation on his achievements at the next WAGS event, which hopefully will be on 24th May, if Rod has recovered from his exertions in the Azores and M and I are back to full strength after 14 days of sustained Baltic Tourism.
"Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion. It loves not realities and creators, but names and customs."
