Deli Belly

What a nightmare. I have been struck down with Deli belly and I havent even left Lincoln!

Becky is convinced that it is nerves and that view is confirmed by our vetenary friend. I feel so much better in knowing that!

No improvement through the day. I have been awake since 3am and cant eat a thing.

My baggage still needs to be checked repacked and weighed. Things are not looking good.

Maybe tomorrow will be better?

Final Outdoor Training Day

Went back to Winn Hill in The Peak District to finish off my training, taking the steepest possible route to the top, descending then going back up again. It was tough going up the second time around!!

I did meet some fascinating people however, A Park Ranger - Roy, brilliant bloke to chat to. 72 years of age and been in the hills of the Peak District since he was 14. He was very very knowledgable. He assured me that none of the climbs in Nepal would be as steep as the one I did up Winn Hill. How he knew I dare not ask, I was relieved that he said that to me :)

Also met up with a couple of doctors who gave me advice about diahorea - lovely! An ex- army chap who told me he did the hill walk twice a week and it never got easier. That made me feel better too!! And a group of cyclists who mis-read their map and thought they were going up a bridleway. After my navigation nightmare here earlier in the year I was pleased to be able to put them right!



Finally for now, a couple of practice pics taken with my camera in 3D mode. This one you need those 3D glasses for, but is a nice effect if you have a pair even if the view isnt particularly spectacular.....

and this is the same pic just a different method. It works using the same technique as the magic eye pics. You just have to relax!

My Team

Although going solo - i.e. not in an organised group, I'm not so silly as to attempt this without a good support team. On this particular expedition the death rate has dropped dramatically from 1:50 to 1:50,000. It's not without risk but its a managable risk. The majority of casualties are from Accute Mountain Sickness but people are aware of this condition these days that we all know exactly what to look for and exactly what to do to. We will be taking a gamow bag for AMS emergencies but hopefully it will stay packed away. I'll fly from Kathmandu to a small village with an airstrip about 3 days trek from the entrance to the Sagamatha National Park - officially the start of the Everest Region Of Nepal where I shall be met by my Sirdir - he is the person in overall charge of the team, the sherpa - he will be navigating, porter to carry some of the things and cook.

Kit wise, in addition to personal kit that I'll be taking from the UK, we'll pick up extra items and rendeyvous the team in Lukla. We are using tried and tested North Face VE25 Expedition Tents as used by the summiteers of Everest, and various other tents to cook/eat in etc. There is probably a conception that going camping involves cooking and eating outdoors - and for alot of the time it will. But when the winds get up to gale force and the temperatures drop to anything up to -20 then maybe we will need some protection! We'll also be taking ropes and ice axes etc. but this is not a technical climb so unless we get unlucky with the weather, they will remain stowed away.

Mobile test

This is a test to check that i can make updates via phone or email when im away when comms allow.

Update

Ive loads of things to put on the blog but havent got around to it. You know how it is! Anyway there should be some more photos on here very soon so check back regularly!

If you would like an email progress report from Everest (technical constraints permitting obviously!) then drop me a note at: mobile@stumm.me.uk