Postscript - October 2007

We’ve been back in the UK for three weeks and Everest '07 already seems a million years ago. Uni and jobs (and a wedding in the team) have been at the forefront. But the life-enhancing experience is still much in the daily thoughts and actions of the team and our families.

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16th September 2007 - Homeward Bound

It has not been an easy couple of weeks, however, in some ways, the story of our expedition has been one of overcoming challenges. Looking back over the past 15days (is that all?!?!?) there have been more ups than downs and each member has had their highlight. As a group we have grown, to work to each others strengths and difficulties to the benefit of the wider team. The selection of members for the overall team has proven spot on in the circumstances.

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15th September 2007 - Think Globally, Help Locally

Another early start today with the team visiting Nepal's Scouting and Girlguiding Headquarters, to help open their 'Clean the World' day under the banner of 'Think Globally, Help Locally'. We took the balloon which provided much excitement amongst the assembled 500 Guides and Scouts.

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14th September 2007 - The Ladies In Red

Today the team took the opportunity to help celebrate Nepale Ladies Day in Pattan's Durbar Square. The 14th September sees the celebration of women in the Nepalese culture, and the streets and squares were full of red saris and laughter.

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13th September 2007 - Bargains, Baggage and Bhaktapur

After the long periods of silence in the mountains, today was a stark contrast with noise, polution and the bustling city. Some of the team went bargain hunting in Thamel, some went chasing the airline about our return leg excess baggage and the rest went on a very educational trip to Bhaktapur.

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12th September 2007 - Escape from the Mountains!

We rose again at 0545 to catch the earliest flight out of Lukla, but familiar dull light through a crack in the curtains, indicated that we were still enshrouded in cloud. A couple of the guys went to talk with the airlines, in case the cloud lifted. We arranged to have the balloon kit on an early cargo run with Gorka Air. The team were to be on a later flight out, flying with Agni Airlines.

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11th September 2007 - Kathmando or Kathmandon't

We had a long day yesterday and made it all the way to Lukla by nightfall to be at the head of the airport queue to fly out of the mountains. There had been no flights for three days due to the weather and we did not want to miss any slot.

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10th September 2007 - A Walk in the Park

After the altitude of the past few days, we today descended from way up high, back down through the Sargamartha National Park. It will be a very long day's walking. This is a stunningly beautiful alpine area of towering green pine river valleys and fast flowing glacial rivers.

9th September 2007 - Rise Above It!

We did it! There was a last chance weather window, so we rose at 3.30am to clamber up the same steep trail as yesterday; but this morning it was treacherous following heavy overnight rain. As we followed the trail in pitch darkness, the sky cleared and moonlight outlined the massive forms of one huge mountain after another. Khumbi, Towoche, Cholatse, Korsumkangero, Tamsaku, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse and then Everest herself all towering dark from the epherial cloud base.

8th September 2007 - Low Clouds, High Spirits!

Before the crack of dawn, the call went up that there was a bit of clear sky! Woop, woop! We were all up and out fast with the Girlguiding balloon and heading up the steep old route climb out of the Namche valley. By steep, imagine walking up steep wobbly spiral stairs for over an hour. .

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7th September 2007 - Ahead In The Clouds!

Sidar Dorjee Sherpa, our lead guide has honestly said in his 36 years in the Everest region, he has never known weather like it! A late start to the day as we were woken at 6:45am. We were blessed with a lie in!! Breakfast consisted of watery porridge and omelette on toast with unidentifiable jam. We set off an hour later for an unwelcome 300m drop, knowing that we have to gain 911m to get to Namche Bazar. More swing bridges, across the raging rivers, before climbing up and up and up... for 2.5hours to be exact.

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6th September 2007 - A welcome change of Lukla!

Four days, we've been trying to reach Lukla to start the main trek. We got up at stupid-o-clock in the morning and headed again to the airport long before it opened. Expecting to have a long wait, we rearranged the furniture, pumped up the thermarests and took off heavy boots. Then, suddenly, a bit of blue sky was spotted and the call came to rush for a 16 seat Dronier plane! We made it with our copious kit crammed into every spare corner! The first flight into the mountains for 6 days! woop woop! It was a bit hairy though as we bounced through angry cloud and made the legendary approach into the 300m landing strip cut into the mountainside.
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5th September 2007 - It's Raining Yeti Again!

Another day spent in the departure lounge waiting for the weather to clear. The expedition and trekking community is upside-down with the impact of the unexpected rains. With each day, more and more people squeeze into the airport bustling for a place on the next flight into the mountains. - But no flights are coming as the planes can't fly in the zero visibility mountain clouds or land on the waterlogged runways at each end.
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4th September 2007 - Cloud in the Hills

So today we rose at 0415 and spent another 7 hours at Kathmandu Airport departures hall. Sadly the weather system in the mountains has not shifted and no aircraft can get in or out. Whilst it is frustrating for us, you have to spare a thought for those trapped at Lukla needing to get out for health or family reasons.

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3rd September 2007 - Making Camp at the Airport!

All arose at 0430am to make an early dash for the airport and fly into the remote mountain airstrip of Lukla. Unfortunately, Lukla was in cloud; and as we write this it still is!!

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2nd September 2007 - All in Kathmandu!

After a few delays and a long journey ten more members of the group have arrived in Kathmandu.

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1st September 2007 - The Team Depart for Nepal

After more than a year of planning, the team have today finally departed for Nepal to start the trek to Everest Base Camp.

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30th August 2007 - In the Pink

Our friends at Zebedee Balloon Services have made us special tank covers and a bespoke envelope bag in Raspberry Pink cordura. Aside from looking pretty funky and fitting Girlguiding's new pallet, they also have a practcal use. Should they accidentally get dropped during porterage on the trek they will be easy to see wherever they land!

Modelling with one of our tanks, is our own Princess of Pink, Laura. Our very sad eleventh hour news is that Laura today had emergency surgery on a pneumothorax following an accident. She can't fly until it is healed, so will not be with us for the start of the trek. She is very much part of our team and will be handling things at home until cleared to join us again. Get Well Soon, Hunni!

24 August 2007 - OK, so here's the BIG secret!

The team can now announce that we are taking Girlguiding UK's new hot air balloon deep into the heart of the Himalayas!!!!!!!

We aim to inflate the balloon and tether it high up in the Everest region. Our first attempt will be above 14,500 feet on the edge of the Khumbu Glacier. We believe this will be the highest display tether of any hot air balloon. If successful, we will try a little higher a few days later - and possibly at Everest Base Camp if conditions allow.

It's an intrepid challenge and we don't believe anyone has tried it before; so it should be a World First. The team are experienced balloonists and several years of planning have gone into the attempt. And at the end of the day, the weather will be the biggest challenge - but high altitude and tiredness won't help either. But we are positive and as prepared as we could be to face the challenge.

We hope you will follow our progress and support the team as we try and plant the Girlguiding Message higher than it has ever gone before!

How are we getting it up there? Our loyal support team are carrying it all the way.... !

11 August 2007 - Somerfield lend their support

Somerfield has helped out by sponsoring our last minute logistics costs. They are also providing individual travel supplies for the team members. These familiar home comforts will be very welcome when miles away from home! As a leading UK food retailer, Somerfield has a long tradition of supporting community groups and encouraging active and sustainable lifestyles.

1 August 2007 - Carbon Offset for Expedition thanks to Waterman Sustainable Energy

Waterman Sustainable Energy have stepped forward to advise the expedition on its carbon impact, calculating our carbon footprint and sponsoring an offset through Climate Care to make the expedition carbon neutral.

Waterman have continued their environmental contribution to the expedition by providing further sponsorship to support the Himalayan Trust, founded by Sir Edmund Hillary. The Himalayan Trust promotes sustainability projects to Nepalis and visitors within the Sargamartha National Park

15 July 2007 - Sun at Last!!!!!

After months of team training on high Dartmoor and across the UK, the sun finally came out for 45 minutes on last Sunday’s training trek! The team are bonding well, exams are over and the trek is just six weeks away. Team training hasn’t been limited to hiking the hills and guide camps. We have got together at other times helped load a container of Zimbabwe aid for Operation Sunshine, erected marquees for the Lions Club and done the all-important shopping and social expeditions too!

1 July 2007 - Thales BGAN Satellite provision

The team will have portable Inmarsat satellite communication facilities provided by Thales BGAN. Neal Peters from Thales has been down to Devon to train the girls in using the Thrane&Thrane Explorer300 unitand software linked the team laptop. All were impressed with the simplicity and ability, allowing full voice, text, email and streaming video. The system is provided with full solar power and will beam information back home via the Indian Ocean satellite.

15 June 2007 - Lowe Alpine Support

Leading technical clothing manufacturer Lowe Alpine are supplying team clothing. Triplepoint protected and mono-fleece lined All Round Jackets and Mirco Grid hoodies are being embroidered with team and main sponsor logos.

1 June 2007 - Karrimor Rucksacks

Leading British outdoors manufacturer, Karrimor, are helping sponsor top specification rucksacks and kit bags.
The girls have the ladies fit Storm model and the guys will be using Cheetah’s. For daypacks the team will be
using Hot Rock and Airspace packs. Essential support equipment is being stowed in the cavernous and aptly
named Sherpa holdalls.

25 May 2007 - Training steps up a pace

The British weather is still throwing its worst at us high up on Dartmoor, but the team keeps striding forward, taking in more difficult terrain with each route. Teambuilding games have started en route, ranging from practical to downright ridiculous!

1 May 2007 - The North Face

The North Face UK are helping the team kit itself out with technical clothing and insulation. Tested and developed by TNF athletes, the clothing will keep us warm and dry when it matters most.