Where are you now?

It is a year today that the team departed for Asia and the trek to Everest Base Camp.

The journey was challenging in more ways than anyone could have ever guessed. The physical and mental challenges had a huge effect and will still today be having an effect upon everyone.

In a nutshell I would invite all the team members and even parents to comment again below to 'fill in the blanks' and bring people up to date with where you are at now in your life.

Let me start;

Oct 2009 - Expedition Programme Manager True Adventure

Oct 20010 - Director of Smile Advertising

In between I left TA, worked in the Alps for a month, taught in a private school for a term. Took up golf and left the mountains for a year. In the next year the mountains are coming back!!! And this time with Alfie!!

Keep well everyone and lets get together in Dec in the Lakes for a proper mountain day and wine evening!!

Matt

It's not over, it's the continuation of what has already begun.

This expedition started out with 16 young and naive team students, over 18 months ago. I was unable to return with the same team. What I did return with was a team of mature and experienced and competant young adults ready to carry what they've learned over the past 18 months forward into their futures. I can honestly say with hand on heart that I am so proud of what they have achieved as both individuals and team players, it has been an absolute privilege to know them, work with them and an honour to be able to call them friends. I have seen these people make decisions that many adults would fear to make and have confidence to stick by their convictions. When other teams out in the Himalaya were failing to reach their goals (mentioning no names) we gritted our teeth dug deep into the reserves to overcome sickness and fatigue to achieve our main aim, seeing sunset on Everest from the top of Kala Patthar, as a whole team.

Our return to the UK last night isn't the end, but it marks the continuation of what has already begun. This team forged a friendship second to none and it is inevitable that one or two may drift away but what they can rely on is that they will always be welcomed back with open arms.

All of this could not of been possible if it wasn't for Stef, Matt, Anne and the Sherpas and Guides, their professionalism, willingness to pass on knowledge and experience has left the team with a hunger to do more.

Kathmandu = KathmanDONE!

So Namche faded into the distance as the descent sped by and the high mountains rolled into valley floors lined with woodland and mighty rivers. What had seemed to take an eternity and nearly kill half of us on the way was a mear walk in the park now. The thicker air, oxygen rich in comparison to the heights further up made everyone feel strong and happy in the basking sun.

We made our way via Tok Tok and a tea stop at Karma's tea house, Karma has been one of the guides on the way and it was only fitting to share a cup of tea in his home on the way down. That night we stayed at Phakding again where the night passed by with the team singing songs and enjoying traditional dancing with the guides and the lady of the house. An early start for the last leg into Lukla....

The trek into Lukla was far more arduous than anyone would have imagined. A culmination of exhaustion after the long haul we've had and a small portion of the team suffering horribly from a stomach bug made what should have been a simple finish into a bit of a battle. We all made it though, and the sense of achievement when everyone rounded the corner into our last Tea House was absolutely epic.

After a long wait in the tiny airport at Lukla, we're all sitting here safe and well in the luxurious (after Tea houses) Harati Hotel. Everybody is overjoyed to have the small pleasures in life back; being able to go to the loo without putting your wellies on, being able to climb the stairs without blowing out of your arse....these little things are always a bonus!

The look on Jenny's face during the flight from Lukla? Worth every minute we sat in the dingy little airport waiting. The views out made us all sad to be leaving behind the beautiful place we had been privileged enough to experience, but the views inside the plane of Becca window-licking and Kelly gripping on to the seat for dear life cheered us all up.

Once back in the hotel the birthday plans began for Andy! The Sherpas planned a cake which I'm sure Andy will manage to devour without too much help from us. After wandering around the city it began to sink in that we had made it, we could really start to celebrate our achievement. The sights and sounds (and smells!) around us were overwhelming and everyone tried to take in as much as they could.

For the evening, the team went out for a meal in Kathmandu, settling at a swanky Italian for Gilly's birthday meal. After which, the team turned to a Kathmandu pub crawl- another amazing experience to say the least, especially for Bunny! In Tom and Jerry's bar, we all tried cocktails with names such as 'Everest Sunset', and to Si and Ollie's delight, live Premier League footy was on the telly. We then went on to meet up with Matt, Kenny, Anne and Stef at Rum Doodle, the climber's bar in Kathmandu, where we were graced by the presence of Chris Brown, a member of the Everest summitteer club. We left our mark here by leaving our own personalised foot, signed by the whole team, which will don the bar for years to come, along with thousands of other famous expeditions from years gone by. Then the fun started....

After an evening of festivities, no-one fancied the walk home, so the Kathmandu Wacky Races Grand Prix began. The aim was simple: 16 people, 8 rickshaws, 1 goal- our hotel. The loser got the drinks in. Racing through the quiet night streets of Kathmandu was a fitting finale to our penultimate day in Nepal.

For our final day, we are just about to visit a Leprosy hospital just outside the city centre, with a view to supporting them when we get back to the UK. Then it will be time to hit the shops in Thamel, picking up last minute souvenirs at the best possible price.

Two out of three aint bad...

Aims of the expedition;

1. To get all team members safely back to UK
2. To summit Kala Pata for sunset on Everest
3. Make Base Camp

Ok, so lots to tell and bring up to speed, first things first the WHOLE TEAM made it onto Kala Pata and it was worth it as clear skies gave an awe inspiring sunset on Everest for all to enjoy! But this is just half the story...

...So from Dingboche the team made the long trek up to Lobuche and a height of nearly 5000m, this took its toll as team members arrived shattered and feeling the thin air. The long climb from Dughla was really tough but the team spent a little time walking around the numerous monuments and memorials to those who have lost their lives on Everest. As a few of the team are reading Everest based books some of the names were familier such as Scott Fischer from the 1996 disaster.

As the team had two nights in Lobuche their acclimatised by a short walk to the Italian Pyramid, a weather station situated in the hills giving up to date data to NASA as well as to other universities and orgainsations around the world.

The team settled down to a meal with the prospect of Kala Pata, Gorak Shep and Everest looming, a tough day was in lie.

Waking early and shaking off coughs, colds and the runs the team headed out on what would be an epic day. Making good progress they made it to Gorak Shep by lunch time and prepared for the afternoon plod up Pata.

Becky and JJ had written a short speech which was read out to all who were embraced in a huddle. This inspired the team as well as drawing a few tears from some members so our first and really main aim was ahead, it was time to bag a Brucie Bonus!

We plodded slowly and slowly upwards, some team members started to struggle with the alitude but they would not be beat and after over 2hours of climbing the WHOLE team were stood together on the top of Kala Pata looking out over Everest, Nuptse, Pumori, Ama Dablam. Que the time for posters, banners and personal pictures. Some cheered, some had a quiet time of reflection and some were just overcome by it all, we had made it!!!!!

As the sun dropped the highest point in the world glowed a glorious red colour with snow blowing of the summit it was a sight to behold, emotions running high and a real sense of achivement.

How things change. As we dropped down it was apparant that one of the team had become unwell. Bunny had been hit with High Alitude Cerebal Edema (HACE) a potentialy deadly illness but one of the most simple to cure, descend, descend, descend.....

As the whole team came together in the lodge the fast thinking and diagnosis from our experienced team of porters and guides has Bunny on oxygen and were preparing to get him down the mountain and to the safety of the hospital at Phereche some 1400m lower.

The sun was down, the temperature had gone to well below zero at here there is no mountain rescue or helicopter, just the will power, stregnth and determination of the human mind. So a team of three porters, Steff, Matt, JJ and Doug set off in the dark night sky physically carrying him on their backs to safety. What had taken 3 days of walking and acllimatisation to come up would take just over 4hours to descend to the hospital in what was a demonstration of team work and understanding of the first order.

The cure is easy and it showed as Bunny quickly recovered and after an hour at the hospital the doctors were more than happy with him and let him go for the night. The doctors it is worth mentioning did their paramedic training in Northallerton!! Small world!! However he couldnt stay over as they said he was ginger and they needed the bed!!

So the rest of the team made their decision to the return down the mountain and come back as one team, they gave up Base Camp as they showed that throughout all of this the strength of this team is greater than any mountain or destination, as Alan Hinkes says "the mountain will always be there"

The following day Bunny was great and the team had walked down to meet up again, it had taken the fully fit in daylight over 6 1/2 hours to descend the same route as the resuce team the night before.

Spirits were high again as the team were united and they made there way to Pengboche for an overnight before another long day today back down to Namche where we will spend two nights and have a day chilling out tomorrow.

The events of the last couple of days would knock most teams for six and put them off things but this team again just showed how resliant and unique they are, they faced up to the challenges thrown infront of them and hit them out of the way as only they would.

So as for now we are on our way back down the mountain but when we set off we would be happy as two out of three aint bad...

Another day in paradise..

Good afternoon from a hot and sunny Dengboche!!

The team have enjoyed a good nights rest, filled up on fuel from the lodge and enjoy spectacular views of sunset over Lohtse and the clear night sky of Nepal.

We rose this morning a little later than normal, 7-30am for a hearty breakfast before our acclimatisation trek to the height of Mont Blanc, 4800m. The team made this with relative ease as were able to take on board the views of Cho You and Makalu (5th and 6th highest mountains) as well as clear views up the valley towards Island Peak and back towards Namche and Lukla.

The going rate for cleaning socks is around one twix, thanks Clare for that one!! Apart from that the team will now chill out for the rest of the day before our journey tomorrow towards Lobuche and then up to Gorak Shep and Base Camp. Spirits are high and confidence likewise as we aim to stand together on Kala Pattar on Sunday to watch the sunset over Everest...

So thanks for all the ongoing support, hopefully we can keep you all up to speed with how we get on but we dont know what the internet will be like up there but here is hoping!! Mobile phones are now done so apart from a carrier pigeon you might just have to wait and see!!

Hello World!!

Hello all and thanks for the patience, as you could expect getting reliable internet in the fourth poorest country in the world is about as guaranteed as Gareth Southgate's next pay cheque!! (we keep up to date now!!)

So a lot has happened in the last few days and we will try to bring you up to speed as quickly as we can,

Khumung and project was a great couple of days, working in the heritage home was a great pleasure and the school really made the trip thus far for those involved. In fact we worked so hard that they ran out of jobs so we spent a day digging the potato field of our lodge to help the family!! The family were most welcoming and the father is a seven time summiteer of Everest and he kindly gave up his time to talk to us about his experiences. So a great couple of days of the beaten track away from the masses of tourist was a pleasure.

We then packed up our stuff and headed to Tengboche high on the hill in the distance. A peaceful walk through the trees took its toll as some members of the team found the height gain tough but with our team of leaders the pace was spot on so that everyone walked up to the village together and feeling stronger than before. Our lodge for the evening was also the local bakery and my god are those cakes good!! Doug spent up on cake the greedy .....

A real coup was experienced in the afternoon as we all went for a blessing, or Puja in the monastery. We were so lucky to be granted a blessing from the head Lama himself and he spoke to us about his concerns for the world. This was followed by watching the monks in full meditation, a sight to behold in a very religious and Buddhist area.

So we have today left the trees and made our way up to Tengboche and 4300m above sea level. The Nuptse Wall and Lohtse dwarf our small lodge and tomorrow is an walk out to aid acclimatisation as we can see Pumori in the distance that sits above Kala Patar.

Hot showers are here, fantastic views and the whole team in great spirits (until we walk back down and tell bunny about boro!!) So from here we hope to all be stood on Kala Patar on Sunday and if we cant be in touch for any reason take it that no news is good news!!

The team is strong, confident with snotty noses but apart from that there is only one way now, UP!!!

We will try to upload some photos but technology out here is comparable to Debbie with air con in the car!!!

Nameste

Long way for a brew...

Short day today, not too much to report.

After a lie in we got up at 7am for another cracking breakfast and a day that would see us climb 4oo vertical metres to aid our acclimatisation. After 8 cups of tea each we were ready!! What would normally be like a brisk walk up Roseberry or alike our climb today was slow as the thinning air began to hit us hard.

Our guides and leaders made sure that we were all going slowly enough and that we drank water at a constant rate as we plodded for nearly 3 hours to reach a teahouse for a brew.

But was it worth it!!! With a clear view straight down the valley we will follow we were greeted with Ama Damblan, Lohtse, the Nuptse Wall and Everest again. In the distance we could see the villages that will be home over the next few days and we sat and enjoyed our brew just taking in the sights.

The walk back down was a lot quicker and after a look around the museum the team tucked into lunch and now have the afternoon to wander the streets of Namche, this will take about 5mins!!

So we thought we would drop you all a line to say hi, we are now going on a 'Tea House Crawl', postcards have been posted, we have so many that the post office has stayed open just for us!!

So off to Khumjung for project now, hopefully we can keep up to date blogs but from now on in it is off the beaten track!!

Speak soon, and keep the support going,

The Team