I'm not at Namche Bazaar after a exhuasting climb of Namche Hill. The air up here is thinner and its amazing how easy you get out of breath. Today is the last opportunity I'll get to write here until I return on my way back. Tomorrow we head out on our path to Everest. This morning we got another sneak peak of our goal. Everest 's 'hat' which stuck out on the skyline, proud and wise. The winds up on the summit are around 200km per hour and the temperature is about -60c. When we get to Base camp we can [View Full Entry]

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After a gruelling delayed journey we arrived in Kathmandu at 4.30am. Picture the scene... Dark empty streets. People taking a few vegetables to market. Wild dogs sifting through dark corners looking for scraps. People huddled over small fires. People selling scrap metal in small piles. It was desolute and shadowy with people exchanging curious glances at us. Far from anything I have ever experienced and certainly a eye opening welcome to a poverty stricken underworld of Kathmandu. Today we've experienced so many sights and sounds. Temples with monkeys running over them, 3 cr [View Full Entry]

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Today I depart for Heathrow for Kathmandu. This last year and a half of my life has been crazy. Frantically training, fundraising for WaterAid, writing for Oxfam, sponsoring Moris in Kenya and campaigning on environmental issues which indirectly increase poverty. Ironic that the pinnacle of this challenge is to climb to Base Camp as in a way it feels like I've been climbing all year. If anything I hope I've managed to show that actually individuals can make a difference. Thank you to everyone who has helped out. Together we have managed to change the lives of over 200 people by [View Full Entry]

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It doesn't seem real... That pretty much somes up the mood of the moment really. My training is nearly complete as is my list of kit. Thanks to Helen for getting me my last few odds and ends. Apparently Gikgo Biloba is an alternative remedy to Alitude sickness, who would have guessed. Feel reasonably confident in all my kit now as well and I've even started growing a beard to kee my face warm :) (any old excuse) My first stop will my the Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel,Nepal. Comparitive luxury compared to parts of the trek. Kinda glad actually. What [View Full Entry]

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This weekend we walked the last consecutive 8 hours walks I needed to do before my trip up Everest begins. Saturday - We walked from Chandlers Ford to Wincherster (St Catherines Hill) and back again via Compton. Sunday - We walked in the New Forest. Minstead to Acres down, under the A31 to Linwood (The Red Shoot pub) then back. Saw a stag which was really cool. Amazing and a good opportunity to use the zoom on my camera. Don't feel too bad after the walk. Calves are slightly tight but overall not too bad. Iced knees again tonight according to [View Full Entry]

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Well only a few weeks left now until I make my way to Nepal via Doha in Qatar, and then on up to Everest Base Camp. My training has been steadily building up over the last few months to the pinacle that is the 8 hour walks I'm now having to fit in. On the 24th Octobr 2006 I started my first 8 hour walk. Walk, walk walk is my life at the moment. That, circuit training and the exercises my physio has given me. A typical week looks like this: * Daily physio exercises three times a day * Two [View Full Entry]

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