Local team conquers Everest challenge

A team of local residents has successfully reached Everest Base Camp during a once-in-a-lifetime expedition. 

The Westbury to Everest 2 expedition took just under three weeks, including eight days trekking to base camp.

The team was led by Westbury resident and serving army officer Major Rab Lundie, who also completed the Everest Marathon while there, one of the world’s most extreme endurance events.

Westbury business owner Kay, who took part in the expedition, said, “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! One that none of us will ever forget and we will cherish the memories for years to come.”

Team member Amy described the experience as ‘truly magical’.

She said, “Every day brought breathtaking views and incredible vistas, with new mountains constantly emerging on the horizon, each more spectacular than the last.

“While we knew it would be a challenge, it proved far more taxing than many of us had imagined, not so much because of the distances involved but because of the effects of the altitude, upset stomachs and sheer fatigue.

“We became a very close-knit team and whenever someone was having a difficult day, there was always support and encouragement from the others. That sense of togetherness helped us overcome the toughest moments and made the achievement all the more rewarding.”

The team includes people of different ages and physical abilities who spent months preparing for the challenge.

Of the 20 local residents who set out, 18 reached Everest Base Camp after eight days of trekking, with one member forced to stop on day five due to a sickness bug and another requiring a helicopter evacuation on day seven due to severe altitude sickness symptoms. Both received hospital care in Kathmandu and have made a full recovery.

So far, the team has raised more than £3,000 for The Nestling Trust, a Wiltshire-based charity providing neonatal and maternal healthcare in remote areas of Nepal.

To donate to the team’s fundraiser, visit https://thenestlingtrust.enthuse.com/pf/westbury-to-everest-2v4