Or, as we might also put it, mad. So:
Fellow climbers knew him as Long John Silvester on account of his bedraggled hair, wonky teeth and gangly frame – brought about by Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that contributed to his weak heart and weaker kidneys.
Marfan, eh? So, what do the doctors say about that?
Physical activity
The American Heart Association made the following recommendations for people with Marfan syndrome with no or mild aortic dilation:[48]Probably permissible activities: bowling, golf, skating (but not ice hockey), snorkeling, brisk walking, treadmill, stationary biking, modest hiking, and doubles tennis.
Intermediate risk: basketball (both full- and half-court), racquetball, squash, running (sprinting and jogging), skiing (downhill and cross-country), soccer, singles tennis, touch (flag) football, baseball, softball, biking, lap swimming, motorcycling, and horseback riding.
High risk: bodybuilding, weightlifting (non-free and free weights), ice hockey, rock climbing, windsurfing, surfing, and scuba diving.
Hmm. So he then goes and spends his life climbing the Himalayas then paragliding over them.
Nothing quite like screaming “Fuck You!” at a genetic disability, is there?
How Glorious.
Did they mention the missing leg – and the parrot?
Dear Mr Worstall
I would count rock climbing as “high risk” without the disability.
Completed the BSAC* basic training course. That was fun. Deepest dive was 85 and a half feet. Didn’t feel the risk – it was not like falling off a mountain at all.
DP
* British Sub-Aqua Club
With weak kidneys, presumably one would have preferred not having him leading on the ascent.
@ bis
No, you are thinking of over-enthusiastic kidneys.
@ DP
Yes.
@ DP
Agreed.
40m on the Zenobia every week for a year… 😉