Home Safe – Thanks for all the support

The Rashid School group has now returned safely to Dubai and this will be the final entry to our travel blog. I would like to comment briefly on the successes of the trip and then end with a few thank yous and photographs.

The Rashid School Boys in front of Mount Everest

We have achieved everything that we set out to do and more. We have raised money for our chosen charities, The Red Crescent and Moving Mountains, we have spent time with the kind and generous people of Nepal and we got all six students to Everest Base Camp. As a bonus we all climbed the 5,500 metre Mountain, Kala Pattar, for a wonderful early morning view of Mount Everest.

Our six Year 12 students were outstanding and I can honestly say that even on the most difficult days of trekking there was never a complaint. They supported each other and their teachers and they were a credit to the UAE, their families and the school. They are:-

• Eisa Sayed Hashim Sayed Mohammed Al Hashimi
• Hilal Mohamed Rashid Abu-Qarraah Al Hameeri
• Maktoum Mohammed Thani Juma Al Maktoum
• Mohammed Abdulla Salem Mohammed Al Mana
• Rashid Bin Butti Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum
• Rashid Hamdan Juma Humaid Bin Amhi Al Mansoori

the students

Equal credit, of course, must go to the staff involved. We knew the task was not easy but we were all surprised by how demanding much of the trekking was. I would particularly like to thank Andrew Hatcher, the Expedition Co-ordinator, and my heartfelt thanks go to him and the other staff involved, these are:-

• Andrew Hatcher
• Greg Dawson
• Rob McLaughlin
• David Annand
• Munir Jamal

My thanks should also go to all the staff at the school who have supported the trip and to the many families and friends who have helped us fulfill our dream. Finally, I would also like to thank our sponsors, The Maktoum Foundation, ANC Holdings and Bawardi Investments, without their support the trip could not have been successful.

At Base Camp! many thanks to our generous sponsors: the Maktoum Foundation, ANC Holdings, and Bawardi Investments

When we left Base Camp, on the 12th April, we left behind three friends who are aiming to summit Mount Everest during the next eight weeks. We have only had a small glimpse of the challenge that faces them but would like to wish them well in their adventure. You can follow their progress at www.myeverestchallenge.com

Now that we are back and had some sleep we are going to start planning the Rashid School Challenge 2010, watch this space!

Glyn Kilsby
Headmaster

Were Coming Home!

The group are about to leave Kathmandu and should land in Sharjah at 16:40pm. The departure today should be less ‘interesting’ than their – hair-raising – take-off from the 500 meter mountain airstrip at Lukla yesterday morning.

Last night, the C.E.O. of the Kathmandu Guest House (Rajan Sakya) treated the whole team to a farewell dinner where he presented each team member with a souvenir Ghurka Khukuri-dagger (similar to an Omani Khanjar). He congratulated the the team on their significant achievement of reaching their goal with no rest-days and for being the very first group of Emerati National students to reach Base Camp. He remarked, “what a pleasure it has been to have the group staying with us.”

Now their journey is almost at an end, the group have begun to reflect on their experience: Rashid Mansoori perhaps sums it up best in a single word, simply, “magnificent!”

(Posted by Adrian Keech)

Lukla flight on-time: Team in Kathmandu

10:55am Dubai / 12:40pm Nepal: Report from Glyn:

It rained all last night in Lukla and the group woke to clear skies this morning. The flight to Kathmandu went ahead on schedule.

They are enjoying thier first opportunity to rest after 14 day’s hard walk. The students are all sleeping and the staff are taking in the sights of some of Kathmandu’s famous temples.

Glyn remarked on a feeling of culture-shock on being back to the busy city. The bustling traffic of Kathmandu is a stark contrast to the remote and isolated trail where the group members didn’t even see a wheel, let alone motorised transport! Let’s hope they get over the shock quickly: they are back in Dubai tomorrow!

They are due to land in Sharjah at 16:40 pm tomorrow (Saturday 18th April)… just in time for school on Sunday boys!

(Posted by Adrian Keech)

Last day of walking – Phakding to Lukla

9:30am Dubai / 11:15am Nepal: report from Glyn:

When they called this morning the group were walking the final stretch in to Lukla. Glyn remarked it was good to be re-united with Dave and to be walking as a whole team again. They expect to arrive in Lukla just before midday. There, they will say a sad farewell to their team of 11 Sherpas, to whom they are very gratefull and without whom they could never have reached their goal.

The strength and endurance of the Sherpas is remarkable. Each Sherpa on the trek carried 35 kilo’s of clothing and equipment in bags hanging from a cloth strip across their forehead. In contrast, the trekers carried only 3 kilo day-bags and, even this, they found a struggle! Perhaps another month aclimatising would see them fit enough to carry their own equipment to Base Camp? Sadly they don’t have time to find out and now they have to return to normal life.

The team are due to fly from Lukla to Kathmandu at 6:30 tomorrow morning. They will stay the night in Kathmandu and fly back to the U.A.E. on Saturday morning. At the moment there is low cloud over Lukla so their flight may be delayed. If they do not leave Lukla by tomorrow afternoon they will miss their return flight from Kathmandu to Sharjah.

‘Fingers crossed for good weather tomorrow!’

Notice of any change to the return flight will be posted here.

(Posted by Adrian Keech)

Namche Bazaar to Phakding

9:30am Dubai / 10:45am Nepal: Report from Glyn Kilsby by satellite phone:

The team reached Namche Bazaar yesterday at 5pm after a 9 hour walk, covering 19 kilometers. The group met up with Dave Annand and are now travelling as a full team; all are in good health.

The weather today is warm and sunny with a light breeze. The sore throats and breathing difficulties that many of the group suffered over the last few days are gone and they are breathing what Glyn describes as, “sweet mountain air”.

They are travelling the same route down but are experiencing completely different views: a mixture of open plain, rhododendron, pine forest and snow covered peaks. Through gaps in the trees they can see down into Nepal as far as 50 miles. Glyn described the scenery as, “stunning”.

Maktoum provided some amusement yesterday: he became slower and slower through the afternoon, falling far behind. The group left him with a Sherpa and continued to Namche Bazaar, expecting him to arrive several hours late. They were all surprised, however, when he arrived within 15 minutes on the back of a horse! Apparently, Maktoum paid such a good price for the horse that the owner is following him down the trail today, watching closely for signs of weariness! We wonder how long Maktoum will be able to resist?

Generally, progress is good: throughout the descent, the team members expected to suffer from ‘shakey-legs’, as the steep descent requires different leg muscles to walking up-hill, but, apart from a few creaky knees among the staff, they have had no real problems. They are about to start a 600 meter descent so perhaps that will change today?

The plan for the last few days is as follows:

• Wednesday 15th April – stay night in Phakding
• Thursday 16th April – walk to Lukla
• Friday – Fly to Kathmandu (early morning) – check into hotel
• Saturday 18th April – Fly to Dubai

Check their position on the map

(Posted by Adrian Keech)

Day 12 – First news after leaving Base Camp

9:50am Dubai / 11:35am Nepal: Report from Glyn by Satellite phone:

Last night the team set off from Base Camp at 10am [not 6pm as earlier stated]. They had a fantastic night and day at Base Camp with lots to report.

The night at Base Camp was a unique experience. Gavin’s expedition team have communal dining and cooking tents. The group spent the evening together in the dining tent, which is heated, and then went to bed in smaller sleeping tents. It was an extremely cold night: once in the sleeping tents, the water in their drinking bottles froze within an hour! They ‘endured’ the night and nobody got much sleep but, thankfully, they all survived. Within 15 minutes of sunrise they were sitting outside their tents in T-shirts!

The morning at Base Camp was taken up with a walk to the edge of the Khumbu Icefall. The group viewed the treacherous route across the Khumbu Icefall. They were able to walk a short distance on-to the ice but could not go far as they did not have crampons (spiked footwear).

The Khumbu Icefall is a sheet of ice that climbers must cross to reach the mountain. It is covered with wide, deep cracks, hidden by thin snow. Many climbers have died or been injured by falling into cracks on the Icefall. The only way to cross is to walk or crawl over metal ladders. Sometimes, two ladders have to be joined with ropes and can bend alarmingly in the middle!

A special team of Sherpas, known as the “Ice Doctors”, go out from Base Camp each night to place and adjust the ladders and ropes. They mark the route with red flags, which are visible right the way up the icefall. Their job is vitally important as the route is in constant use.

This year, 38 teams will make many trips back and forth across the icefall. Each will carry tons of equipment and supplies to establish camps further up the mountain. They will use the higher camps to acclimatise, rest and wait for perfect conditions to reach the summit. Gavin’s team consists of himself, two other climbers (Helen and Eddie) and two Sherpas. Together, they will spend the next two weeks travelling between Base Camp and Camps 1 and 2 up the mountain. The time they spend moving the supplies will help them acclimatise for the final push to the summit.

The group took photographs of the team with the UAE flag. They then returned to Base Camp and prepared to leave. They set off from Base Camp at 10am to walk to Periche [not Lobuche as we expected them to do] and arrived safely as the sun was setting at around 6:30pm.

This morning the team left Periche at 8:30am, headed for Namche Bazaar where they will meet up with Dave and stay for the night. We’re sure there will be no shortage of stories at the dinner table!

Check their position on the map

(Posted by Adrian Keech)

A Message from Dave

Dave Annand has been out of touch for a few days since he was forced to turn back to Lobuche. Today he found an Internet Cafe and sent us an update. Here is his account:

Two days from Base Camp and my luck changed. I had felt very strong, eaten well and drunk 3-4 litres of water per day. All was well until the evening in the lodge at Dingboche where I developed a violent stomach bug. No sleep and no appetite did not bode well for the trek to Lobuche the next day. I was determined to do it so I set off in the freshly fallen snow with lots of water and a positive attitude. After just half an hour my body rebelled. My head felt like it was going to explode, I felt sick and I had no energy at all. Gavin sent me with a Sherpa to Periche to see a doctor. So I bid farewell to the group hoping that a move down the mountain would see me fit for the next day to catch up.

The American doctor was very thorough and she confirmed that I had Acute Mountain Sickness unfortunately coupled with a stomach bug. I was given medication and told to rest in a lodge in Periche. I felt awful; I could not eat and just wanted to go to sleep. During the evening I was violently sick and there was no improvement in my condition the following morning. I visited the Doctor again and she told me to walk down to Deboche to alleviate the AMS symptoms at least. I was dreadfully disappointed as I knew that this spelled the end of my adventure.

I stayed in Deboche on Saturday night and received calls from Andy, Glyn and Gavin to check on my health. They were so supportive and I wished them well for their ascent to Base Camp on Sunday. I am now in Namche Bazaar waiting for the group to come down. I feel much better but it will take a few more days until I am 100%. During the walk down I was treated to some interesting stories by my porter Lakpha about the mountains.

Mega congratulations to the rest of the group for reaching Base Camp. The boys have amazed me with their determination and positive attitude. They have never moaned and, believe me, on some of the treks they would have had every right to! The whole group has gelled superbly to make the adventure very successful. I look forward to seeing them and hearing all about Base Camp.

The trip has been an amazing experience for me and although I did not get the icing at least I got the chance to eat the cake!!!

Dave

Day 11 – Base Camp

The RSB group departed from Base Camp at 6:15pm tonight, Nepal time. They have begun their journey back to Kathmandu and then home to Dubai.

They will probably head for Luboche tonight, about 10 kilometers and 600 meters below them and should arrive just after dark.

Not much news as we didn’t talk to the team today so expect a full update tomorrow.

Check out their estimated postion

Also check Gavin’s twitter feed here

Base Camp: they made it! – 5350m

3:45pm Dubai / 5:30pm Nepal: Report from Glyn Kilsby by satellite phone:

This afternoon, at 5 o-clock, the team arrived at base camp, tired but elated. They are now at an altitude of 17,575 feet / 5350 meters; higher than most of us will go without looking through an aircraft window!

Today has been a day to remember for the rest of their lives. This morning, the group reached the highest point in their journey: Kala Patthar, at over 18,200 feet; it is a place festooned in brightly coloured prayer flags. From there, they could look out over the Khumbu glacier and up to the summit of Everest. This afternoon they walked up to Base Camp; the last permanent camp on the route to the summit of Everest.

It was a very tough walk with temperatures around zero all day; the altitude made progress slow. By the time they arrived, the sun had set and the temperature had dropped to below freezing. The boys managed the conditions well and are in good spirits.

Sadly, not all the team made it to Base Camp. Dave Annand turned back shortly after leaving Luboche, two days ago. He was severely dehydrated from a tummy bug that struck several team members last Tuesday. On the advice of Gavin Bate, Dave made the sensible decision to turn back towards Periche rather than risk serious illness. Altitude sickness can be a killer so we think he’s done the right thing. Accompanied by a sherpa, Dave is making his way down to Namche Bazaar, where he will wait for the rest of the group. We can report that he’s feeling much better – just don’t go back to that curry house Dave!

A couple of days ago, we mentioned that Eisa and Hilal were celebrating a birthday. That was incorrect. It was actually Rashid Butti and Eisa. Sorry Rashid and a belated happy birthday.

Tonight the team will sleep in tents, pitched on the glacial ice. The tents have small heaters to keep out the frost but they can’t keep the heaters burning all night; with only thin roll mats to insulate them from the ground, they expect a rather cold night night!

Congratulations to all of the team (including Dave). You have achieved more than most of us will ever do and you’ve done it with the odds against you from the start. Well done!

See their current position

Follow Gavin on twitter

Listen to Gavin’s audio blog post from Kala Patthar – morning of Day 10

Listen to Gavin’s audio blog post from Base Camp -  evening of Day 10

(Posted by Adrian Keech)

Day 9 – Gorak Shep – 5200m (17,000ft)

11:30am Dubai / 1:15pm Nepal: Report from Glyn Kilsby by satellite phone:

The team have arrived in Gorak Shep. The weather is cold and clear, with little wind; there is snow on the slopes all around. The firm surface of peat and gravel is good for walking but they all find the altitude exhausting. They climbed only 250 meters today after a tough, three-and-a-half hour walk.

Glyn described the sky as “deep, deep blue” and they are surrounded by views described as, “very impressive”; Gorak Shep is, “quite beautiful!”. The summit of Everest is visible, with snow, blown by strong wind, streaming from the top. Earlier today Base Camp was visible in the distance but it is now masked by a large peak.

Apparently, Gorak Shep will be stage to the” Worlds Highest Cricket Match” in two week’s time. Presumably the pitch will be on the heli-pad as it has the only flat surface! The boys wanted to play a Staff Vs. Students cricket match this afternoon and be first to take the record but, unfortunately, no-one packed cricket stumps!

Glyn said that, “All the boys have been fantastic. They’ve found it tough at times but are cheerful and positive and have never complained. Different students excelled on different days. Two days ago, Rashid Butti was the best; yesterday Maktoum had a bad day but is really strong and walking well today.”

He explained, “Because the boys are still so full of energy, we will walk up to Kala Patthar this afternoon.” This is a scenic view-point, 600 meters above Gorak Shep, located up the side of the glacial valley.

At 5600 meters, Kala Patthar is the highest point of the expedition. It will be a highlight of the journey. They will have views over Base Camp, 300 meters below and only 6 kilometers away. They will also look back, down the trail, towards Phaplu, where their journey began, four kilometers below them and more than 50 kilometers away!

The group are staying in a small lodge tonight and will set off for Base Camp early tomorrow. They plan to walk for 5 hours to travel the final 6 kilometer distance and 200 meter climb.

We are hope to receive pictures tomorrow when the team set up a satellite dish at Base Camp.

See their current position

Follow Gavin on twitter

Listen to Gavin’s audio blog post for Day 9 (hold mouse over link for embeded player)

(Posted by Adrian Keech)