The Everest Test Live Updates

Day 9 Lobuche – Gorak Shep

chrisbeale — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:47:45 +0000

Today we broke the 5000 metre mark and have reached Gorak Shep, where our match will be played. We had to leave two members behind, adding to one we left at Thukla the dayt before. We do however, expect to have all of these people with us tomorrow.
The trek was long and tiring, but that we should have a full contingent by tomorrow is a huge credit to all involved, now we just have to produce the goods on the pitch.

Day 8 Dingboche – Lobuche

chrisbeale — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:43:24 +0000

Today was expected to be one of the most challenging legs of trek as we ascended from 4400m to 4900m. After taking advice from a doctor from the Himalayan Rescue Association we organised that the porters do double shifts to help carry some of our gear. Up until today we had been carrying all our personal gear, the only people on the mountain to be doing so. Moving beyond 4000m the 20Kg loads some were carrying for a whole day were greatly increasing their chances succumbing to AMS so the decision to reduce our loads was made, sharing one pack between two and rotating the carrying shifts.

From Dingboche we headed up a small hill and then along a valley framed either side by giant mountains for 2.5 hours before we stopped for lunch at Duglha. After lunch we hit a particularly demanding section up the terminal moraine of the Khumbu glacier, ascending 500m in just over 60 minutes. After a rest we headed up the glacier towards Lobuche. Halfway along the glacier we were able to make out Kala Pathar, the peak below which Gorak Shep, our final destination is situatied. This was an exciting and emiotional moment as after a year of preperation, we actually laid eyes on where our target sits.

Day 6 Tengboche – Dingboche

chrisbeale — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:18:43 +0000

This morning began with several of us visiting the monastery at Tengboche and receiving a blessing while we were there. After that we began our walk at around 0830 with Dingboche our destination.

The walk was tough and long, but everyone arrived a fraction before 1700, although a few are starting to struggle. While the climb was long, it was at least steady rather than the steep ones of previous days.

We are now at 4410 metres and tomorrow shall acclimatize by breaching the 5000m mark for the first time before returning here.

Day 5 Khumjung – Tengboche

chrisbeale — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:17:35 +0000

Today we have travelled from Khumjung to Tengboche. While only gaining around 200 metres in height the walk involved us dropping right down into the valley before a steep climb up the other side.

Views of Ama Dablam followed by Everest kept us going on the walk and on arriving here we have visited the monastery and played some cricket under the eye of the worlds biggest mountain. It won’t be the last time we do that!

Spirits are good and everyone seems healthy, fingers crossed that continues.

Day 3 Namche Bazaar – Khumjung

chrisbeale — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:06:10 +0000

We began today with a steep climb out of Namche that caught everyone a little by surprise. The effects of yesterday’s steep climb were evident and we made slow progress as we moved up to a height of 3840 metres for our drinks stop. We had our first sight of Everest from the ground but also our first setback as one member had to be left at Namche, we hope he can join us tomorrow.

We descended down to Khumjung and have spent the afternoon playing some cricket with the locals and passing the time with plenty of card games. Everyone is looking forward to our rest day tomorrow.

Coming Soon…

chrisbeale — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:01:54 +0000

From April 11 we will be bringing you daily updates from the Himalayas. Using the latest in Satellite Communications Technology we will keep you informed of our progress and share our experience with you. Every day we will be beaming back information on our trek, along with geo-tagged images, so watch this space to make sure you don’t miss anything!

Coming Soon…

chrisbeale — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:11:43 +0000

From April 10 we will be bringing you daily updates from Nepal. Using the latest in Satellite Communications Technology we will keep you informed of our progress and share our experience with you. Every day we will be beaming back information on our progress, along with geo-tagged images, allowing you to experience what we saw during that day.