Page 21 - 2006/07 AMA Winter

The Rongbuk Monastery with prayer flags flying.
impossible due to the risk of being avalanched down the huge North Face below. The incredibly difficult decision was made for the small team to descend all the way to Camp 4.
Once this decision was made the only choice was to with­ draw all teams from the hill back to Tilman’s to allow a period of consolidation and to discuss further plans. When the discussions began and we observed the film footage taken of the conditions it became apparent that giving it another go right now was unfeasibly dangerous and that due to the altitude of the prob­ lem the chances of the snow pack significantly changing was unrealistic. I, along with my leadership group now lay in the terrible position of weighing up all of our options
but quickly realised the reali­ ties that we were not going to make it. Sending anyone back up into those conditions would have been inexcusable know­ ing what I now knew and I was completely unwilling to do that and things were not going to
improve in the short time
remaining. With huge regret
and after deep debate the
decision to abort the attempt
was made and the moment I
told the team will stick with me
for ever. My announcement
was completed by asking If
anyone had anything to add -
There was a clear minute of
complete silence followed
before John stood to shake
my hand and the team then
fell into a blur of handshaking
and embracing for what we
had achieved and for the spir­
it which continued throughout
- a fact that I believe we can
all be proud of. Not only had
all 20 climbers reached
7300m and over but our team
was still fully intact, in control,
without injury and the atmo­
sphere that followed that day
was another example of what
an amazing group of people I externally will guarantee Graham, as well as Brummie
went to Everest with and that will be the proudest part for me because never did they falter and never was the moral or drive to succeed lost at anytime.
The whole 3 year experience for me was unforgettable. I
smooth passage throughout the expedition especially in the planning period. EWR has many people to thank for its success and this includes our Patron’s Lord Slim and Gen Delves, our President Gen Nick Cottam and the HMC of Meryon Bridges, Nick Arding
Stokes, Bronco Lane and Al Hinkes. Two incredibly helpful Embassies in Kathmandu and finally Brig Andrew Jackson and members of the Army Recruiting Group for exposing the whole of the EWR project, AMA mountaineering and its value to worldwide audience.
had learnt so much about expeditions, challenge, team­ work, people and myself that I don't regret a single moment of it. Although there is some disappointment it is only for one reason and that is the team I went to Everest West Ridge with could have com­ fortably succeeded on the route had the conditions been safe for passage.
and Martin Bazire, the whole of the Adventurous Training Group (Army) under the com­ mand of Col Paul Farrar, 2 and 5 Div G3 PAT's Dougie McGill and John Larkham, as well as considerable financial advisory support from Col Robin Eccles at the Army Central Fund and Col Claypoole from Land. For our training location Lt Col Kevin Hodgson at JSMTC, Chips Rafferty, Mark Woodhouse and Twid Turner for drawing our focus to attention to detail with training preparation and
To finish I will mention a key point that sinks deep with me after this amazing experience and that is the people you involve is the key. Create an initial highly supportive and totally trustworthy core around you, bolster that with very careful selection of a hard working and reliable team but don't forget that gaining wide support both internally and
Lt Col Pete Davies, FS Bill Batson and Fit Lt Dave Howie for their hugely valued experi­ ences from the West Ridge. High level support from a number of high ranking offi­ cers in particular Gen's Jackson, Viggers and
ARMYMOUNTAINEER 19