Reports of events

Everest Base Camp trek - March-April 2007

In late March 2007, John Sanderson from DESO/MOD set off on a sponsored 3-week trek to Everest Base Camp, to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

He said "This trek to Everest Base Camp is the last of three challenges that I've done. The others were a 45 mile bike ride in the Yorkshire Dales and the 46 mile MoD Pathfinder March. The Everest trip represents approximately two weeks of trekking around 7 hours a day. It culminates in a night at base camp at 5500 metres. I'm participating in this challenge with Charity Challenge."

John had approached CSSC London for assistance with the trip and we were very glad to be able to provide some help. Here's his report.

“I don’t think he’s going to make it”. Our team doctor had just finished treating the unconscious sherpa that we’d come across on the trail. Frothing at the mouth he was suffering from both High Altitude Pulmonary Edema and Cerebral Edema – the effects of increasing altitude too quickly.

This represented a major wake up call. I’d signed up with Charity Challenge thinking that their trek to Everest Base Camp and then Kala Patar at just under 5500 metres, would be a once in a life-time opportunity. Yet here I was, at only 3800 metres, witnessing a native of the region fighting for his life.

Up until that point I’d been fine. Judging my performance against the other 25 trekkers, I regarded myself as one of the fitter participants. But whereas fitness was a ‘controllable’ aspect of the trek, coping with the altitude was beyond our control – and we all knew that it would effect some more than others.

Sure enough, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) hit at around 4100 metres. The first thing that I noticed was a distinct deterioration in my ability to hike up the trail. The slightest incline and I’d have to rest for five minutes. Then the other symptoms set in – the nausea, the lack of balance, the headaches, the ‘stroke’ like symptoms down the left side of my body, and the blurred vision.

“It’s just like a hangover without the drinking” said the doctor trying to lift my spirits. “ What do you drink?” was my reply, with the China desk in St George’s Court suddenly seeming like the better alternative.

Fortunately for me, the next day had been designated a rest and acclimatisation day. Sipping hot tea from my sleeping bag, knocking back Paracetamol like Smarties, and taking Diamox – a wonder drug designed to help people acclimatise – gradually got me back on the road to recovery.

Two days later, after a couple of 4.45am starts in –10 degrees, I was at my objective. The going had been slow over the glacier to Base Camp, and breathing was harder than ever, but I was now on the peak of Kala Patar at over 18,000 feet. Overlooking Everest Base Camp, the views of Everest and the surrounding peaks were truly amazing. It had been a hard slog, with only 9 of the original 26 trekkers reaching both Base Camp and Kala Patar – but it had been more than worth it and it brought with it a real sense of achievement.

Most important, however, was the fact that the people who’d sponsored me had helped raise over £2500 for Cancer Research UK. I’d really like to thank all those in DESO and CSSC who supported me. It was a fantastic experience … but as I kept repeating when I was up there, “never again!”.