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Atacama Crossing Blogs 2025
5
PostsAtacama Crossing (2025) blog posts from Anthony Fung
04 April 2025 06:00 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago
It.s day 6 now, still painful but it’s troublesome rather than crippling. Not sleeping well because of that plus all the drumming they play whenever somebody came back to the stage line.
Yesterday’s long stage turned out not to be overnight as I came back to camp between 10-11pm. However, it was not uneventful. I was strong for most sections but the last. This stage as a mind test again, as the beginning was miles and miles of marching through sand, salt flats and dirt roads. I went in a straight line for hours with little change in scenery.
Then the change came by way of a steep ascent on a 150m sand dune. It was heavy going but the scenery at the top was amazing. It was covered in salt but in the ground there were glass deposit that in the sunshine looked like gold! After this was a equally steep technical descent . Lucky I did not twist my ankle of fall.
Then came a long march again in the late afternoon. The sun blasted even before sunset, so it was a great sunrise to have a can of Fanta in one CP. And then by 6pm the winds started. Markings became hard to see and, as I was at the front of my pack, I had to navigate and that slowed me down.
After that, it’s uphill again and it felt like going up Tai Mo Shan to the last checkpoint. My fortunes turned in the last 10km. Markings become increasing har to see and I had to wait for people behind me to search together. The course was also unforgiving, as they always have something difficult before the finish. At one point I couldn’t find any marking at all but it happened an organiser car passed by and pointed my on the way. After that they cancelled a small section for people behind me but I had to endure a sand dune elevation and a slightly hairy descent behforehand.
Anyway, as I got back early, today is a rest day. Cuyrrently I am ranked 80. 160 registered for the race, 144 started, and there are 128 of us remaining.
This will be my last on-race blog as hopefully I will be at the finishing line tomorrow.
EDIT:
Oh, I forgot the most important event that made my last section last night so bad. On top of navigation problems, I had serious flank pain again as in the first 2 days. This made getting over the sand dune really difficult. After coming down I was literally staggering and had to stop every 100 paces.
Being on my own in this situation was most uncomfortable. Fortunately Sandeep sacrificed his time and walked with me fof the last 2km. He is really kind and I am most grateful.
02 April 2025 09:12 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago
First of all, thanks for all your messages. They mean a lot to me.
Now Day 4, 44k completed. Slept for 5 hours. Snake pain still present but under control.
First thing in the morning is going up sand dunes. Then i spent 2 to 2.5 hours walking in a straight line on a plain with no change in scenery. It was more a test of mental endurance rather physical strength.
Then came the difficult bit, the salt flat. The earth was like a dry bog, very swiggy, some of it was hard and sharp, some soft and your foot sink in down to the knee. In essence, it zapped a lot of energy.
Finally, it was a long stretch of mindless tarmac back to the camp.
After 3 days of “training” I am getting back to form. I even got in front of Kenny & Clarence for some time :p , then of course they caught up with me. So I did the latter half together with Kenny while nothing could hold Clarence.
Tomorrow is the long day, likely overnight. Cannot remember the distance, 70-80km probably. Because of the shingles that upset my training, I stopped planning for the race and paid only little attention to route. I just take things as they come and deal with it according to my condition.
Looking forward to tomorrow to see how it unfolds.
Comments: Total (3) comments
Joanne Lee
Posted On: 04 Apr 2025 10:13 am
Very pleased to see your smile in the pictures. I’m sure it’s very tough there but you still keep up your spirit. We, all the supporters, are always waiting for the new pictures. Haha
Unfortunately there’s no picture of you walking on the salt flat. Disappointed.
The stages ahead may be even more difficult but you’re getting closer to the finish line. Helen will wait for you there! Just keep moving. :)
Connie Lo
Posted On: 03 Apr 2025 01:44 am
Add oil, Anthony! Always proud of you. You are just amazing. Don’t push yourself so hard. Just let it be and take good care of yourself. Enjoy the journey, whatever it may be. 😊💪🏻👍🏻
Jeanie Lai
Posted On: 03 Apr 2025 01:39 am
A truly amazing experience, Anthony... great relief to see your smile in the photos... stay safe and continue to enjoy the run...
01 April 2025 08:06 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago
Day 3, I slept 4 hours on and off last night because other people were talking late and dogs started barking at 4am.
Course wise, every day is more difficult. 41 km today, starting with salt flats. It’s like walking on chalk. Then it was spiky (I think) lava rocks. This was followed by sand with loose slats, and a 136m sand dune. The end section was horrendous, climbing rocks and steep descents. Again we had to traverse ponds and ravines with narrow rocks and I fell into a pond filled with moss. No injury though and my pack was waterproof. My phone was exposed but it seem to be working. Right till the end there were repeatedups and downs to th finish.
En route I got lost 3 times. So easy to miss the marking. Pity the marking was confusing at th end and I had to spent 5 mintues looking for the way literally on the doorstep of th finish line. apart from that , I finished strong today.
Piain wise, it’s still there but is affecting me less, at least for today.
Tomorrow is another 41km, 6km is said to be extremely difficult (salt flats again). Let’s see how that goes.
Thanks again for all your messages. keep them coming. :)
Comments: Total (4) comments
Lyris Miu
Posted On: 02 Apr 2025 10:21 am
Hi Coach Anthony! Your blog is truly amazing to read, it is beautifully written, simple but vivid - I feel like I am right there with you, in the pain and the beauty of it all. But of course, the journey that you are going through is incredibly inspiration. I hope you take good care of yourself and do not forget to enjoy the views and the journey! I cannot wait to hear about your experience!
Jane WU
Posted On: 02 Apr 2025 10:01 am
What you're doing is truly amazing! Admire your resilience deeply. Enjoy the race and everything that comes along!
Kelly Shek
Posted On: 02 Apr 2025 09:07 am
What a journey!! I am so grateful to be part of your race and our Resolve team admire your determination to complete the race and conquer the pain. Add oil 加油 Anthony!!!!!!!
Jeanie Lai
Posted On: 02 Apr 2025 03:23 am
Do get some rest whenever you need...May the Lord continue to protect you and give you the strength for the race and peace and joy in your mind to truly enjoy the run..our prayers are with you.. add oil , my dear friend...
31 March 2025 08:28 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago
Thanks for all your messages. They are really supportive.
Today is stage 2. I slept for about 6 hours last night but decided to take it easy, so I was one of the last starters. However, I managed to overtake many.
I had to get my feet wet in the early section where for 6 to 8km I had to traverse a fast flowing river many times. That was fun.
The following elevation, about 600m that I was concerned with, actually turned out OK. The scene at the top was amazing. I stopped many time to take photos and I had to remind myself that I am actually racing.
After descending a steep sand dune came the last CP. I felt well and so did not rest much. That was a bad decision. For the last 10km or so, the loin pain came back again and medication did ńt help. So I really struggled in the last stage (as yesterday) and had to stop many times with people passing.
Now I am OK and hope to rest. NOt sure what tomorrow´s stage is, another 40km I think. Whatever, I will just keep going. But I will take a rest in the CP after 20 or 30km regardless of how I feel.
Will update tomorrow. Please keep the messages ccming, they are a real boost.
Comments: Total (6) comments
Helen Wong
Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 06:36 pm
Know your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses, enjoy the race
Joanne Lee
Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 11:09 am
Don’t push too hard at the beginning.
Enjoy the race and look forward seeing your photos at different stages. Pls do stay in good shape for the pictures. 💪☺️
Aggie F
Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 01:40 am
You can do this bab, make sensible decisions to rest or to push ahead. Enjoy the amazing views as much as you can!
Echo Fung
Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 01:14 am
You did well! Keep it up. 💪🏻
looking forward to day 3 pictures.
Frances Lee
Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 01:11 am
Glad to hear you have fun and is enjoying the scenery. Take your time and don’t push yourself too hard, remember it’s a 7 day race and getting there is not just half the fun but all of it! Do take in the experience, take care and have fun ;-)
Yin Ng
Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 12:32 am
We’re all rooting for you Wong Sheung! Looking forward to seeing your amazing photos! Please take more haha XD
30 March 2025 08:16 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago
Yesterday we left San Pedro for the Atacama desert, that means we started to be self sufficient and no washing till I finish the race.
Mainly because of the pain from the shingles, and also not being used to sleeping rough, the excitement, and the cold, I slept for no more than 2 hours.
Today´s route is 35km, it´s supposed to be a descent from 3000m to 2500m, but actually there is much elevation. I did OK for the first 30km, but the last 5km was all upslope. I was hindered by back pain, walking literally bent to the side. So my only competitor is pain. If I get over the pain from the shingles, I count as a win.
Kenny and Clarence finished strong and much faster than me. They are well.
Tomorrow is 40km with more elevation. Hope I can sleep tonight and I will take medication for the pain. Talk again after the 2nd stage.
Comments: Total (2) comments
Yin Ng
Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 12:29 am
You’ll be fine Wong Sheung! Have some good rest tonight! Great job :)
Helen Wong
Posted On: 31 Mar 2025 09:41 pm
U did well! Beat the pain and do a little bit more for me today - enjoy the scenery
Comments: Total (1) comments
Echo Fung
Posted On: 05 Apr 2025 03:40 am