By: Blonde One
There are times in life when determination and tenacity are key qualities. The Two Blondes have shown on many occasions that we are a determined (stubborn) pair: succeeding in night navigation, gaining WGL, introducing DofE to an establishment, blogging, etc, etc. I have proved to myself in Morocco how determined I am, as I battled with altitude sickness to reach the summit. All of the weeks and months of self-doubt disappeared as I managed to ‘dig-in’ and get on with the job in hand. I have always been an advocate of aiming high in life and working hard to achieve big ambitions. I learned many, many things whilst on this trip but perhaps the biggest thing I learned was that it takes a far greater amount of guts to know when enough is enough and to admit defeat. On two occasions I saw youngsters battle with their own insecurities and been totally consumed by fear and panic and to have to realise that they had bitten off more than they could chew. The two youngsters tried their very best in their separate challenges and after a heroic battle with themselves decided it was time to stop trying. On both occasions I witnessed a calm come over the individual at the point of decision in total contrast to the turmoil of a few seconds earlier. Their very personal decision was clearly the right one for them. I have admiration for them for being able to make such a decision which was witnessed and perhaps misunderstood by 14 of their peers.
I remain convinced that one must always aim high and strive to achieve great things but perhaps after this trip I will be more understanding of what appears to be giving up.
That’s a brilliant bit of writing. Has nearly brought me to tears, without needing a full description of events – I can well imagine. Similar feelings at the end of Day 2 in Wales two weeks ago, on deciding to pull one young man off expedition for his own health. One of the hardest things we’ve done ever.
Thank you. I have cried more tears for these two youngsters than I care to remember, then and while writing this blog!
Having done a bit of sailing in my time can I say that sometimes knowing when to stop is absolutely the right thing to do, and it can even save your life. I once had to decide not to set out from Noss Mayo in a howling gale, despite feeling that all the men in the boat would think I was a wimp. Our sister ship set off from Plymouth and was dismasted in the Sound. Thankfully they were all OK, but had to be towed back in by the RNLI. Afterwards my husband told me that If I had tried to set off he was going to stage a mutiny!!
There is a fine balance between pushing yourself to achieve more than you thought you could and a disasterous misjudgement. Do tell those 2 youngsters that they may have learned a bigger life lesson by having the courage to know when they had to stop, than if they had been able to carry on.
All of our reassurances didn’t seem to alleviate their feelings, but you are right, they have learned a lot about themselves through their experiences.
Hey B1 – that was indeed a lovely piece of writing. I now, of course have a huge desire for more details but I guess they will have to wait for a while xxx
More details on your work email. X
Jebl Toubkal seems to be a place that finds you out. I’ve had the utter frustration of having mountain sickness stop me within a few hundred yards of the summit. I had genuine concerns that I wouldn’t make it to the top again this summer, when after arriving at Nelter Hut the pain behind the eyes, the metallic taste in the mouth and the nausea were there too. There’s psychological element to it as well – altitude sometimes comes with pessimism and low mood. I had other people to keep on eye on and so distract me from feeling sorry for myself, but importantly the experience of that past disappointment along with extremely good advice and a little more self knowledge* gave me the ability to shift my limit from that first occasion I was there.
‘Giving up’ isn’t always that – sometimes it’s only an episode in a much longer story.
*…and Diamox!
It’s very good to learn to listen to your body and to your instinct. It will stand your two youngsters in very good stead later on in their lives.