Trip Reports

Caudwell Xtreme Everest Trek Team B

Written by Leader, May 2007

Team B were the second of the Caudwell Xtreme Everest (CXE) trekking volunteers and medical testing guinea pigs that were supporting the main expedition. There were testing stations and medical teams in Kathmandu, Namche Bazaar, Periche and at Everest Base Camp.

The daily diary and testing routine before breakfast was adhered to by all the group, even when this involved getting up at 4.00am or having to brush the frost off their sleeping bags at Everest Base camp, after a night where the temperature dropped to minus 18 degrees C. For more information on the Medical Science visit www.xtreme-everest.co.uk.

The trek begins after a very scenic and exciting 30 min flight in a Twin Otter from Kathmandu to Lukla. The landing on the short runway at 2,800m makes for a memorable start to the trek.

The first few days to Namche Bazaar were spent following the wooded valley of the Lower Dudh Koshi through Phakding and Monjo to the bridge at Larja Doblan, where the path steepens as it wends its way up to the main Sherpa town. Along the first part of the route there are many Teahouses – the team sampled tea, coffee, lemon tea and Sherpa tea as well as many soft drinks. The team had a banner made by a local tailor as well as bow ties for the gentlemen and chokers for the ladies, so that all were properly dressed for dinner.

Two days rest and testing here prepared the team for the next two-day section to Periche. The team were able to sample to full range of pastries in the Everest Bakery, as well as trying their bartering skills in the Market.

Above the tree line the route is dominated by impressive shape of the 6,800m peak Ama Dablam. Along the way we passed a memorial to Sherpa Tenzing and the famous Monastery at Tengboche.

Two more days testing at Pheriche and then we trekked the final three days to base camp. A much harsher environment with no tea stops as we followed the banks and side moraine of the lower Khumbu Glacier.

At base camp we were greeted by the medical team and settled in for two days of exploring and testing. Moving at 5,300m is an effort but most managed to explore the edges of the Khumbu Icefall and watch the climbers making their way up and down. Also visiting other teams climbing Everest including the Jagged Globe team.

Then it was a 4-day return journey back to Lukla and finally Kathmandu and the UK. The team gelled together well and many friendships were made both amongst the group and with our Sherpa and porter team.

Mike Rosser, Trek Leader « Previous report | Next report »

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