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...