Page 68 - Light Dragoons 2023 CREST

The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Ex Gauntlet Rise
(Putha Hiunchuli, Dhaulagiri VII, 7246m)
The Journey
Ex Gauntlet Rise was originally planned to take place in Autumn 2021 however, due to the global COVID pandemic, the expedi- tion was delayed until spring 2022. After months of uncertainty and a lot of doubt as to whether the expedition would go ahead, it was a huge relief once the wheels touched down on the 24th of April 2022 in Kathmandu. “We are here, we made it, this is really happening”.
On Arrival in Kathmandu, the team of twelve were greeted by Roy Francis, who assumed the role as the expedition Liaison Officer. His team assisted us with our bag- gage and once at our bus, we were awk- wardly paraded for a welcome ceremony where each team member was individually greeted, “Namaste” and gifted with a neck- lace of marigolds.
Thamel Eco Resort would be our accom- modation whilst in Kathmandu. On arrival, we were hastily issued red Makalu adven- ture grip bags to pack with our high-alti- tude expedition equipment which was to be sent over land to meet us in Juphal. A few days of exploring the manic streets of Kathmandu, experiencing traditional local cuisines and finalising the necessary admin- istration prior to taking a domestic flight to Pokhara. The pace of life here was consider- ably calmer in comparison to the madness of the city. Our stay was short but memo- rable, simply for the ‘Momos’. Those that know, know! For those that do not, these are an essential part of Nepalese cuisine and should be at the top of any traveller’s list.
The onward journey was in a small, rickety ATR-72 aircraft to Juphal (2140m), located in the remote Dolpo region. This specific part of the Himalaya was out of bounds to tourists and only opened in 1989. During our expedition, we did not encounter another westerner and would be the first expedition to attempt a summit of Putha Hiunchuli in over three years.
Flying in Nepal is not for the faint hearted. You feel exceptionally vulnerable after
hearing the Ground Proximity Warning System alarming ‘Caution Terrain, Pull Up’. This is entirely out of your control and the only distraction is admiring the magnitude of the mountains from above. After a pulse raising landing on a small tar- mac airfield, we unloaded our expedition equipment and were greeted by a solitary immigration police officer. He checked our passports before proceeding to our support team who hastily loaded our bags into 4x4 vehicles to be taken Dunai. We trekked approximately 9km that afternoon to our accommodation, located at a campsite at the Blue Sheep Inn.
The next stage of the journey required our equipment to be moved over land by mules and porters. Tengi Jambu Sherpa (Tenzing) was our Sirdar who had the responsibility of managing the other Sherpas, logistics and dealing with negotiations with the locals for the duration of the expedition. In total, there was approximately 3500kg of equipment that required transporting over complex and remote terrain that was not accessible for vehicles.
After our first night under canvas, the sup- port team dismantled our camp, and we began our 17km trek to Tarakot (2537m). The weather was exceptionally hot and arid in the morning, and it was a relief to have cloud cover as shade in the afternoon. As we meandered through the valley, the team were relieved of the sight of the yel- low tents indicating camp for the night. Today was an immense realisation of how
tough the way of life can be, after witness- ing two women carrying substantial loads of firewood weighing well in the excess of 80kg on their backs, remaining welcoming and friendly confirms the hardship people experience in this region of Nepal.
Over the next few days, two members of the team suffered with severe diarrhoea and vomiting but continued the trek with exceptional discomfort. This is quite com- mon in Nepal as you are drinking Chlorine or Iodine treated water and not preparing your own food. From our camp at Lesicap (2772m), we crossed impressive suspen- sion bridges over gorges and handrailed the Thuli Bheri river until we reached the village of Kakkot (3210m). On arrival, our accommodation was a French funded school where we camped in the courtyard. Due to the school holidays, the school was empty apart from a few young mischievous children that had heard of our arrival.
We remained in Kakkot for three rest and acclimatisation trek days. During this time, the team gradually trekked to higher altitudes to assist with acclimatisation and Instructors took lessons on rope work, fixed lines and crevasse rescue which the team practiced. Roy, a member of the 1976 British Army Everest expedition passed on a wealth of knowledge and lessons learnt of operating at high altitude. In our free time, the team conducted essential administra- tion, of washing clothes and themselves in the river and hydrating in preparation to begin the ascent to base camp (4950m).
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