Blog
Day 16 - the day has come
23/10/2013 22:37
Home time! It's probably been the hardest two weeks of my life, mentally and physically but a fantastic experience which I personally will never forget.
There has been many highs (literally), and some lows where it was difficult to continue.
Along the way we've met some incredible people, namely our sherpa's who carry most of the equipment up the mountain, and when we get to our camp sites set up camp, cook our meals, wake us up in the morning with tea or coffee and generally entertain us.
Our sporting and business mentors who have been fantastically supportive of the lads and us along the way, they have restored my faith in celebrity sports people with there attitude.
The other teachers, careers, or support assistants who went along. They helped to motivate the lads when times were tough, and motivated each other when needed.
Finally the lads, and especially Josh who has been a credit. He really has been a great companion along the journey helping me out when I was feeling down and missing home.
Couldn't have done it without him!!!
I'm now sat on the train, and can't wait to get home and give my little girl a big, big kiss.
Thanks to everyone who followed us on the blog.
Mr Campbell
Day 15 - Kathmandu
23/10/2013 21:23
Well we're nearly done! Today is the last full day in Nepal. The weather is excellent again and spirits are high. One more sleep!
This morning after breakfast we set off to visit a school. The Gladstone academy has over 200 students from Kathmandu from nursery age up to 16. Sounds silly but although this school didn't have any technology and they were cramped in the classroom, these are the lucky ones. Schooling isn't compulsory and most living in the rural areas don't have the chance of education.
After the visit we headed for Kathmandu centre, to do a bit of shopping. Like everywhere in this city it was utter chaos!!! Both Josh and myself shouted, argued and haggled, and managed to get all the prezzies for our families.
After the shopping we headed back to camp and packed our bags before dark. We had a lovely traditional dinner then a early night in preparation for tomorrow's long day.
Nearly home time.
Mr Campbell
Day 14 - leaving the Himalayers
23/10/2013 21:20
Last night we had a celebratory meal, gave all the sherpa's, porters and cooks their tips and had a bit of a sing song before bed. The last 12 days had been hard work. A brilliant experience, but hard work. This was the first morning in along time that we wouldn't have to finish breakfast and walk for hours.
We were camped right next to the short runway and woken up by a huge helicopter landing just the other side of the fence. After breakfast we had a short walk to the airport, boarded one of the tiny planes and flew off the edge of a cliff.
The flight was a rocky one again, and Josh even managed to stay awake the whole time. It was a big relief when we landed in Kathmandu safe and sound.
In Kathmandu we are camping outside a posh hotel. Some of the group have paid for rooms, and I must admit I was tempted, but Josh talked me out of it (proper trekkers don't stop in hotels).
We had a lovely buffet meal in the hotel, totally different from eating on the trek. Although the cooks do a great job, the food isn't brilliant and for the last week you tend to see it as more fuel for your body than food.
Weathers brilliant so don't think sleeping will be a problem tonight.
Mr Campbell
Day 13 - Lukla again
23/10/2013 21:17
After breakfast the group set out again for what would be our last trek in the Himalayers. The atmosphere was good as I think we're all ready for home.
Like all the others before, this last trek was difficult, climbing and dropping for long distances in blistering heat. Unlike the rest this time we were walking to the finish line, and because of this we were really motoring.
The walk was about 4 and a half hours long and initially we started in two groups. Before long, because everyone was eager to finish it became moire like a race. We reached Lukla just before lunch, both Josh and myself up at the front.
We'd done it!!! Again we posed for pictures and interviews, exhausted, physically and mentally.
The afternoon was spent in a fake Costa with free wifi, catching up on emails, twitter, Facebook and this blog!
3 more sleeps x
Mr Campbell
My adventure continued
21/10/2013 19:40
My adventure so far 2
Saturday
After yesterday short walk and rest afternoon the plan was to trek right down to the valley bottom and back up the other side it was a long walk but the views were fab we went inside the monestry and had lunch in lovely heat
Sunday
We had a long days walking today but we knew tomorrow would be a rest day we have had the heat to deal with up till today when we were woken at 6 to set of walking at 8 we set off to climb well above 4000 metres when we stopes to have a quick drink it started to rain that horrible stuff which gets all your kit wet. And then when we set of again it started to snow when we arrived at the tea house we all sat inside to find out some of the tents were wet so they let us all sleep in the tea house.
Monday/Tuesday
We did not do a lot these two days because we were snowed in so just played a few games
Wednesday
We were woken bright and early for a long hard days walk in the snow which was deep enough to reach my knees we set off with lots of energy after being locked up in a tea house for 2 days we arrived at our tea house which was ok until you looked at the other tea houses which looked a lot lot better but still it was better than a snow covered field.
Thursday
This was the day I had been waiting for ages reaching kala pattar quite a few people could not make it to the top due to medical reasons so had to go down or stay at the tea house we got up bright and early to set off walking to kala pattar 6 students set off that mourning and one made it half way and one made it 3/4 of the way but only 4 of us we're fit and healthy enough to try to get to kala pattar when we arrived it was an amazing view right down the valley and up at Everest. I evan remembered to take this little rubber duck up there to have a picture but forgot mr Talbots football t-shirt hope he sees the good side of it as we'll (I might not of made it with the extra weight) sorry mr Talbot. We had lots of pictures I told mr Campbell to stop being David Bailey but he ignored me for some reason. We then had my highest game of rugby I think I will ever play with Lewis moody and anyone else For that matter We then set off on our first long walk back down the mountain. I really am going to miss the spectacular views which I will probley never see again. When we arrived back at the tea house we could not make it out how happy we were to have made it because the others were very upset that they had missed out on a once in a life time opportunity.
Friday
We had a very very tough day to day on our hands it had taken 9 days to get up to kala pattar and we had 3 days to get down sounds easy but it is as hard going down as it is going up it kills your knees we got some pace on down hill and just went for it we had a challenge with group one that we would be first into camp so at dinner we all just got up and ran and got our bags and just walked and walked until we reached our camp site which was fab because we had won the competition which was funny. I Evan got a tent to myself which was a treet in it self and got my best nights sleep so far and was hoping for the same again.
Saturday
We were woken at 6 to get breakfast when we set off we had a lot of walking to do in one day this was our last full days walking and it was a killer on my knees we stopped at Namche for dinner and layed In the sun. We then set off again and 4 of us had our own competition to guess what time we would get into camp I said 3:30 one said 3:45 one said 3:15 and the other said 3:05 we got in at 3:35 which meant I won a coke and a chocolate bar which was absolutely delight full. We had to just sit and wait for the tents to come because we did something I can only call a (yak a take) which involved over taking a bunch of yaks which was scary. When the yaks arrived they got all the tents up and I got my own tent again wonderful. I sorted my tent out and had some tea tried to get a phone signal which was hard but managed to get one to Speke to family. And then had tea and became chief door closer which was funny I then put my head down for a good nights sleep which I got.
Sunday
we were woke at 7 for breakfast for our last days walking back to the airport. We set off walking and it was a lot of up and down bits all the way back to Lukla when we arrived we had a quick lunch and then me and Barrie went to Everest coffee place to get a drink and I had a piece of cake which was really nice and we both went on wifi. We had a big tea to celebrate our trip which involved a lot of singing and clapping and we gave our tips out to the porters and cooks etc to say thanks. I then got my head down because I had been told that we were up at 5:30 for our flight back to Kathmandu.
Day 12
21/10/2013 19:32
Day 12 - homeward bound continued
After a reasonably warm nights sleep we were up at 6 for breakfast then set off on another long trek. I've only just realised that going down hill is just as hard as going up.
We past the monastery again dropped into the valley and back up the other side. Past two campsites that we have stopped in and just kept going and going. Finally at about 5o'clock we arrived at our new campsite, had dinner and plan to have an early night.
4 more sleeps!!!!!
Mr Campbell
Day 11
21/10/2013 19:30
Day 11 - homeward bound
The mood was different this morning, for days our focus has been on reaching Kalapatthar, and now that's done the countdown to home has started.
Our aim is to be back in Lukla on Sunday, ready to fly back to Kathmandu on the Monday. To be on time we would have to trek 8 hours a day for three days.
So we packed our bags had breakfast and set off. The going was good and in no time we were at our first stop to pick up the people in the group that had to go down. We were all together again, got back into our original groups and marched on.
8 hours later and we were at our camp. It took us one day to trek, what took us three days the opposite way. You can taste the air change as you go down and feel it getting thicker, and thicker air means faster walking.
Two more days trekking!! 5 more sleeps!!
Mr Campbell
Day 10
21/10/2013 19:28
Day 10 - Make or break
Well the day has come and the mood in the camp wasn't good, especially after hearing the news 6 people had died yesterday in an avalanche near by. We were now splitting up into 3 groups. One group were going down because of medical reasons. One group were staying behind because they had reached their limit. And the third group in which Josh and myself were in was going to attempt Kalapatthar.
It was another tough day and because of the altitude just walking uphill was extremely difficult. The group was getting smaller and smaller due to people dropping out because they couldn't continue.
At about 14.00 we made it!!!!!!!
We were finally at the viewing point at Kalapatthar looking up at Everest. It was unbelievable and really emotional. Out of the 12 students that started only 4 made it. And Josh was one!!
We spent about an hour cuddling, shaking hands, taking pictures and videos. We were feeling great. But it was time to get back down.
Because of the altitude and the feeling in the group we got back in half the time, when we arrived back we had to keep the celebrations to a minimal because of those that didn't make it.
Tomorrow we begin our trip home and I think all the group is ready.
Soppy I know, but they way I see it - every step I now take is a step closer to a massive cuddle off my beautiful little girl Isabelle x
Day 9 - will we won't we, continued.
18/10/2013 16:14Day 9 - will we won't we, continued.
When we awoke Wednesday morning the decision was made to go for it. The snow was still deep but it had stopped and the forecast looked a lot better. After 2 long days stuck in one room both Josh and myself felt we were going mad! This was welcome news.
It was going to be a long trek into Labouche and we would be climbing to near 5000m and our last stop. Tomorrow we will spend the day walking to Kalapatthar. The final destination on our journey.
Things were extremely hard going. For the first half of the day the heat was making it even more difficult to walk.
We climbed and climbed for hours. And at about 5o'clock the sun dropped behind a mountain and the temperature plummeted. This was now definitely becoming extreme and for some pretty dangerous.
We arrived at our home for the next two nights and to be honest it wasn't the best. Because of the temperature and the weather it was decided that most of the group would be sleeping in the beds and only eight would camp. I had to camp!!! Nice one!!
We all went straight into the main area, which now looked more like a hospital. The last 2 - 3 hours had been hard. A little too hard for some. The three doctors in the group were definitely being worked hard as bodies littered the floor exhausted. Two had collapsed and didn't look good and one seemed to be having a seizure. The mood in the group was awful and many didn't want to go on. Josh like everyone else looked like he'd had enough. So I had to ask him if he wanted to continue. It would have been easy to call it a day at this point because already half of the group had said they would not be continuing.
Josh's response....... "Don't be silly sir. We've come all this way. We're not stopping now! One more day! We'll go up on our own if we have to".
To say I was a little emotional right then and a little proud would be an understatement.
Well time for bed. Let's see what tomorrow brings.
My journey so far - Josh
12/10/2013 14:07
On Monday
we set off from school at 10:30 to the train station to catch our train to London Heathrow airport. When we arrived we sat down and had a drink and waited for the other people on the trip to arrive when they all turned up we went to check in and then went though security and then had some tea. And then we went to the boarding gate to board our plane to deli
Tuesday
we arrived at deli and waited to catch our second but not final plane to Kathmandu. When we arrived at Kathmandu we were greeted by the bbc and our first nights guides and boarded a coach via Kathmandu nod then our hotel which was full of surprises like 4 people on bike and I discovered that they like the sound of there car horn when we arrived at the hotel we found out where we were sleeping not in the hotel but in the hotels car park what a shame I was looking forward to a nice warm hotel bed
Wednesday
We were woke at 5 in the morning to catch our final plane to Lukla in a tiny little 16 seater plane when we arrived at the airport we walked in to check in to find out it was far from Heathrow and then we went though to departures and boarded our plane to Lukla and I went to sleep on the plane and slept though the strong winds. When we arrived we went to a cafe and waited for the others to arrive because we could not all fit on one plane when every one arrived we set of on our first trek to our second camp.
Thursday
We were woken up at 6 to start our first full days trek and I was surprised to get Porridge for my breakfast and then we set of walking for a hard days walking we had to climb about 700 metres all in one day we were at about 3500 metres at night which was very very high and was hoping for a good night sleep but some dogs had other plans and there plans were to keep us from going to sleep for as long as possible which they did for most of us some people were really unlucky to get signs of mild altitude sickness.
Friday
We were meant to be having a relaxing day but we didn't we had to walk up a Steep hill first thing in the morning which was a good thing when we got to the top we got a really good look at Everest which was amazing to see.
Everest
