Page 128 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

Exercise Dragon’s Trek

Nepal 2016

By Corporal Lisa Jones

This was literally a once in
a lifetime opportunity and a

tick off my bucket list - travel
to Nepal and trek to Everest
Base Camp, Kalapata and
Gokyo Ri.

Kathmandu

On 29 February 2016 we departed London
Heathrow for Kathmandu. The city was
chaotic with people shouting, horns
beeping and random chickens hanging
around in the car park. Travelling through
the city centre was an eye-opener. I have
never seen so many people in one place,
but although very busy, the locals are laid
back and slow moving. People will try to
sell you anything and everything, which is
how they make a living. We also witnessed
the damage left in the wake of the recent
earthquake. There were buildings half torn
down, roofs missing and some buildings
completely destroyed.

On to Lukla

We flew on to Lukla (2,860 metres). The
aircraft looked like a toy plane, with just
16 seats. I prayed we would make it in
one piece. The runway at Lukla was very
exciting, only 60 metres long and one
of the world’s scariest landing strips. To
avoid altitude sickness, we had to lose
height and trekked down to Phakding
(2,652 metres). The guesthouses we stayed

in were basic: a bed, a shared toilet (hole village in the region. We felt the difference
in the floor), no running water and no in altitude because the day became more
heating. The food was repetitive, but difficult as time went on. We hit Stardom
provided much needed energy with rice, Crossing, one of many suspension bridges
noodle, vegetable and spring rolls on most that appeared in the film Everest. This
menus. We were unable to eat meat as unnerved some people as the bridge was
we couldn’t guarantee the hygiene. The rocking wildly. The final climb of 600
next day we climbed from Phakding to metres was demanding, not just because
Namche Bazaar (3,440 metres), the largest of the hill, but the sheer amount of traffic.

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