“*Sung to the tune of Jabob’s Ladder,” huh? The one by Huey Lewis and the News (and written by Bruce Hornsby)? The one by Rush? Chumbawamba? How about Dreadlock Pussy? Oh…the old spiritual. Thanks for clearing that up. The “by and by, Lord” had me thinking they were singing to the tune of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”
Is It Safe? Is It Safe?
Today a couple of the porters, who for once are rendered as more than just black silhouettes, refill the traveler’s bottles with water from what looks like a fairly sophisticated, modern purification system. Yet Dan seems to doubt the system’s efficacy. “They say” the water’s safe…“still…” Does Dan think he came all this way, and paid all that money, just to be intentionally exposed to dysentery?
Meanwhile…Back in the Jungle
Bungle in the Jungle
To those who, like yours truly, scoffed at Crazy Harry’s well-intentioned offer of his Tarzan collection to Les? Turns out Les actually read Crazy’s Tarzan comics and as a result is now trippin’ balls. James the Guide (inexplicably portrayed today by a young Geoffrey Holder) solemnly warns the climbers that due to the high altitude they “might experience some hallucinations.” This warning comes after the hallucinations have already begun. While TB uses Les’ condition as an occasion for humor, and to indulge his fondness for jungle comics, Les is actually experiencing the onset of high altitude cerebral edema (or HACE), “a severe (frequently fatal) form of altitude sickness”. He really needs to be moved to a lower altitude, stat! On second thought: keep climbing, Les, keep climbing!
Newton's A-hole
Turns out the Westview Smirk is just as contagious as dengue fever…Check out the normally stoic James‘ goofy grin as he urges Dan, Summer, Les and Three Generic Tourists onward, onward to the summit. Backpack Kitty, naturally, stays safely nestled in Dan’s pack, and can be counted upon not to jump out and run away. Good kitty!
Son of Stuck Funky 