THE Westbury to Everest team are set to return this week from what has been an extremely tough and emotional three-week expedition in the Himalayas.
Of the 29 hikers who travelled to Nepal, 20 made it to the Everest Base Camp after expedition leaders and doctors advised those who were struggling with severe fatigue, altitude sickness and breathing difficulties, to stand down from the trek.
Speaking the day after they reached base camp, Rab Lundie, expedition leader said, “The past two days have been awesome but very, very testing for the team. 20 out of the original team of 29 made it to the Everest Base Camp and it was an immense challenge that not all thought they could do.
“Despite struggling against a previous bad night’s sleep due to severe cold, morning temperatures of -21, extreme high altitude where the oxygen levels are 40% lower than at sea level, personal mind sets and finally fitness levels, I am extremely pleased to say that 18 out of 29 made it to our summit of Kala Pattar which is over 18,200ft. The team dug extremely deep, and found new levels of personal human endurance.
“We now start four days of descent. As the expedition leader, I congratulate the entire team regardless of the heights they reached and can say with conviction that those that made it to Base Camp, Kala Pattar (or just short) or both, deserve a huge hug and pat on the back from their loved ones.
“Today is a huge day, they won’t realise it just yet but when they do, they will fully get the enormity of what they have just achieved. No-one really expected so many of the team to succeed, however their hard work in the lead up allowed all of them, who were all first timers, to achieve a life-time ambition.
“Well done to all of the team and thanks to friends and families for their support.”
