Page 51 - 2016 AMA Spring

Leg 2- At the top of the Sherpini Col - 6120m
Leg 2- Crossing the glacier between the two high passes
that night my condition became worse. The following day myself and four other members of the team were evacuated from the mountain by helicopter.
Macpherson – Once we were told that our plan was to make it to Makalu Base Camp, I was excited but nervous in case the altitude was to affect me further. The trek to reach it offered us some incredibly memorable views, however, the headaches and sickness returned to haunt me and after reaching Base Camp and I nights fitful rest I was told myself and 4 other members of the team would not be carrying on further up the mountain. Initially I was angry because I wanted to complete the task but when I understood the severity of what could have happened in terms of the AMS, I accepted the decisions being made were for our welfare. After trip by helicopter back to the heat, noise and pollution of Kathmandu we were told that it had been arranged for us to visit Pokhara, the home of Gurkha selection. This was an amazing experience and fascinating to see another area of Nepal. We stayed at another British Gurkha Army camp, which was a lot bigger than the one in Kathmandu.
Taylor – Nepal was an amazing experience and one I will hopefully experience again. From the time on the mountain to the time we spent travelling the country, it was definitely an experience of a lifetime. My only regrets are pushing forward of the group and the fall I suffered at the teahouse, I think this combined, cut short my experience. The team were a fantastic group of people and I made some great friends. The Nepali landscape allowed us to experience multiple surroundings and terrains from jungle to snow caped peaks, Nepal has it all and I hope to return in the not so distant future.
Spr Stone Continues the story from Makalu Base Camp
From Makalu Base Camp the rest of the team pushed forward into what seemed like a long white nothingness. We all knew what was ahead though: the hardest part of the trip, including 2 x 6200m passes, the Sherpini Col and West Col and then 2 days after this the Amph Labsta Pass. The Amphu Labsta is one of the most difficult passes in the Himalayas. and on average only 80 people a year cross it and this year none had do e so before us.
The day we crossed the High passes we set off at 2am and were on the move for nearly 20hrs. We crossed deep snow and proceeded to do a 100m abseil down an ice wall in crampons - certainly an experience to remember. Sadly the morning following this we had to evacuate two more members of the team, one due to frostbite and the other due to pulled ligaments in his back. After another memorable day crossing the Amphu Laptsa and eventually
Leg 2 handing the flag over to Leg 3 at Dingboche - 4450m
meeting in Leg 3 in Dingboche the walk back down to Lukla was a welcome chance to recover our strength and take in the fantastic scenery.
For me the trip has given me an opportunity to see how the Army operates on expeditions as my previous experience was in training. It was great getting to work with senior soldiers and see their approach to the various challenges. The trip has also without doubt given me the opportunity to push myself physically and mentally - further than I thought I would ever be able to go. A good example of this is when we had to do a 13hr day, crossing the Amphu Labsta Pass in snow up to my waist on nothing more than a bowl of porridge, a snickers and a packet of biscuits!
The trip has taught me a huge amount about how much teamwork matters, particularly in a dangerous environment. You really have to look out for your mates on the mountain, as the illnesses you are susceptible to can come on suddenly and can be very dangerous. Learning to check your mates are okay before sorting out your own needs has definitely been a huge learning curve for me.
This trip has had massive ups and downs. For me the worst point of the trip was losing my friends and teammates at Makalu Base Camp. Initially it felt like the support from friendship was lost and the dynamics of the group were altered and it is obviously nice to finish things as a full team. However you then regroup and focus on the next challenge. An unforgettable high point has to be receiving a KFC at 5900m at the high camp before the Amphu Labsta Pass - the ‘Colonel’s Recipe’ has never tasted so good!
ARMY MOUNTAINEER 49
AMA Spring 2016 text.indd 49
01/07/2016
15:43