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.