Everest Base Camp Charity Trek with Children in Crossfire

Another fun trip to EBC with a slightly later departure than usual the trek went into December and the temperatures were dropping. However the Irish team with an optimism, enthusiasm and entertainment ability that I have never before seen in a group, were ready for anything.  Supporting the local charity 'children in crossfire' (www.childrenincrossfire.org/) the determination was high to achieve their objective.

After a few days in Kathmandu getting used to the country, we flew to Lukla and started making our way up hills and towards our goal of Everest Base Camp. As a highly caring and supportive group, everyone helped each other out and quickly became a close team.

A slow and steady acclimatisation profile had us arriving in Dingboche five days after we started walking.  Unfortunately at this point two of the group had to leave us.  Siobhan headed slowly back to Lukla with Lakpha and I took Al to Pheriche hospital. 

Al was suffering from a severe headache and lack of appetite.  Having spent an hour in a PAC bag at the tea house, the hospital did further tests and quickly evacuated him back to Kathmandu where it was confirmed he was showing the early signs of high altitude cerebral edema.  He rested and recovered in back in the city and was pleased to join up with the rest of the team on our return.

A tough two day walk the rest of the way to Base Camp took the remaining team members a huge amount of determination - but they all made it with smiles on their faces.  Nuala and Jim had to work particularly hard as they were fighting colds all the way.

 

Unfortunately, as we were descending, Nuala became weaker and slower.  Struggling to descend safely, a phone call to a local doctor in Kathmandu indicated that the safest course of action would be to evacuate Nuala and she was rapidly flown out of Lobuche that afternoon.  Luckily she quickly recovered on descent and following a few days of rest, was back to full strength.

The rest of the team still had a swift two and a half day walk back to Lukla.  the clear skies, beautiful views and draws of a shower and some meat made it far easier to walk down than up. 

And then the party - the Irish certainly know how to party.  With Gavin organising the refreshments, Diarmuid organising the Irish songs and everyone full of energy, Lukla didn’t know what had hit it.  A fantastic way to end an unforgettable trip to the mountains.

This trip outlines the importance of having a reliable and well organised in country agent and Dawa, with his in depth local knowledge and contact helped made sure everything ran smoothly (www.adventurethamserku.com/).

Leading for Global Adventure Challenges (www.globaladventurechallenges.com).