Donnas - Rifugio Delfo e Agostino Coda.
Peaks/Cols Crossed:
⛰️ Col Portola (1966m)
⛰️ Col Carisey (2124m)
This leg of the Tor des Géants (TDG) route from Donnas to Rifugio Delfo e Agostino Coda was undertaken during the night after a very brief and restless sleep, with a total distance of 18.45 km and an ascent of 2406 m. My sore throat made it difficult to sleep, waking me up every time I swallowed, leaving me exhausted as I set out on this section. As I ascended into the mountains, the heat became oppressive, exacerbated by my worsening illness. The night, which I had hoped would be easier, proved to be a significant challenge. I experienced sleepwalking episodes and a few hallucinations, making it difficult to stay focused and on course. As the sky began to brighten, clouds started to roll in, offering a glimmer of hope for a cooler day ahead. The emotional toll of enduring yet another tough night hit me as the sun rose, bringing with it a mix of relief and exhaustion. The climbs to Col Portola and Col Carisey were steep and demanding, but the anticipation of cooler weather kept me pushing forward.
Challenges:
Physical: Severe throat pain, exhaustion from lack of sleep, and the effects of heat and illness.
Mental: Coping with hallucinations, sleepwalking, and the emotional strain of another difficult night.
Terrain: Steep ascents with challenging navigation in the dark.
Navigation: Difficult at night due to fatigue and hallucinations but manageable with careful attention.
This leg was pretty tough physically and mentally. The combination of illness, lack of sleep, and the challenging terrain tested my resilience. However, the hope for cooler weather and the emotional relief brought by the sunrise helped me push through to Rifugio Delfo e Agostino Coda. This experience reinforced the importance of mental fortitude and the ability to adapt to adverse conditions, even when everything seems to be working against you.
