Page 20 - 1996 AMA Autumn

20
WOl (RSM) Chris Longrigg Exped organiser Maj Harry O’Hara RLC
RLC Deputy Leader
Capt Ken Nicoll RM
Capt Colin Riddell RLC Treasurer W02 Claude Preira RLC Rations W02 Sam Woodger
SSgt Steve Rogers
Cpl Peter Atkinson
Cpl Bob Evans
LCpl Terry Harrop
LCpl Chun Keung Wong RLC
Dvr Milan Gurung QOGTR
Dvr John Cheung RLC
In March 95 a casual conversation between myself and Lt John Kerner led to the idea of a Regimental expedition to Nepal, con­ sisting of personnel from the three ethnic groups that make up the Regiment.
W ith planning well under way, it began to become apparent that if the expedition was to be a success and more importantly our objec­ tives achieved safely, we would need another two experienced mountaineers and an expedition medic. After advertising and approaching several units, Captain Ken Nicoll (RM), W02 Sam Woodger (RE), and LCpl Terry Harrop (RAMC) were invited to join the expedition.
On 2 November, an advance party left Kai Tak airport for Nepal. This consisted of myself, W02 Claude Preira and Cpl Bob Evans. On our arrival at Kathmandu we were met by our trekking agent,
RE
REME
RLC Equipment RLC
RAMC
Medic
\R\n MOI NTAINEER
EXERCISE LANGTA GON
By WOI (RSM) C P Longngg RLC
An expedition from the Hong Kong Logistic Support Regiment to Naya Kanga and Yala Peak in the Langtang region ofNepal.
Expedition Members:
Lt John Kemer RLC Team Leader
Maj (Retd) Ramprasad Gurung, who having retired from service with the Gurkha Transport Regiment had set up a successful trekking agency, “Himalayan Envrapro”. He could not have been more helpful or sympathetic to our needs.
The next four days were administration days; buying last minute items and preparing the loads which would be carried by our 30 porters. We also met our Sirdar, Pasang, who would accompany us on Naya Kanga and Yala Peak.
On 7 November, the remainder of the team arrived at Kathmandu. After a days administration, we departed the following morning for the road head at Sundarijel. It was anticipated that the walk-in would take eight days, allowing the team to acclimatise and improve their fitness. On arrival in the Langtang region we would have a week to attempt Naya Kanga and Yala Peak before a short walk out to Syabru Bensi. This would finally be followed by a bus ride back to Kathmandu.
The terrain for the first day was generally up hill with very little flat or down. As the day progressed, the weather seemed to deteri­ orate, and by the time we arrived at the village of Pati Bhanjyang (our first nights stop) the rain was falling hard. That night, as we ate our evening meal in a somber mood, it felt more like a wet weekend in North Wales than an expedition to the Greater ranges.
Good weather failed to materialise for a further 36 hours and heavy rain meant a great deal of snow would be deposited on the high ground and that wasn’t good news ! We progressed northwards along the Thara Danda and started the ascent of the Laurebina pass (4,600 m). The affect of altitude and the previous bad weather con­ ditions were starting to effect several of the team, so it was decided that an early stop was necessary before attempting the crossing the following day. Despite this, the porters continued, with several making the crossing in darkness. After a good nights rest, we con­ tinued over the pass to Laurebina, only to find that our sirdar and cookboy had slipped and fallen whilst descending it the night before in two separate accidents. On regaining consciousness, they both made their way to the lodge at Laurebina where they rejoined the rest of the porters.