Hi everyone.
I returned from Nepal on the 4 January after completing my trek from Shivalaya to Everest base camp in 16 days. After an eventful 12 hour bus journey involving a head on collision with a lorry, a flat tyre and a road that some four wheel drives would think twice about travelling on, I eventually arrived in Shivalaya (1860m). The first week of trekking took me through remote mountain villages, only accessible by the path I was following. Any supplies to the villages had to be carried in by porters and we passed men carrying huge loads. We saw very few westerners and stayed in village houses at night-time, often eating with the families in their kitchens. The walking was tough, with a lot of ascent and decent, on one day we climbed over 2000 metres only to drop back down at the end of the day.
After the first week we reached Namche Bazaar at 3450 metres and the trekking changed. We started to gain height each day and had to be careful to walk slowly in order to avoid altitude sickness. Every night we slept at a higher altitude to the night before and it takes time for your body to adjust. Above 4500 metres I found it very difficult to sleep as my body was not getting enough oxygen to be able to slow my breathing. Temperatures in the day were around zero and in the sunshine it was comfortable but at night it dipped well below freezing. I had a very warm sleeping bag which I had to share with my water bottle, wet wipes and anything else I didn’t want to freeze.
We reached Everest basecamp at mid-day on 23 of December, a mass of prayer flags at the foot of the Khumbu ice fall. From base camp you can see the route that climbers follow to get to camp 1 on the way up Everest. On Christmas Eve we left at 6.30am to climb to the summit of Kala Pattar, a peak at 5545 metres that gives brilliant views of Mount Everest and the surrounding mountains. Christmas day involved a tough crossing of the stunning Cho La pass, a glacier at 5420 that must be negotiated in order to reach the Gokyo valley. From there we climbed another peak, Gokyo Ri at 5483m, which gave stunning views of Everest, Makalu and Cho Oyo. From Gokyo, it took three days to descend to Lukla, where we were to take a small plane back to Kathmandu.
Lukla Airport is deemed to be the most dangerous airport in the world, as it has one of the steepest, shortest runways, at the end of which is a drop to the valley below. The flight was certainly exciting, the plane was an 18 seater Twin Otter which seemed to be held together inside by gaffa tape and creaked as it was buffeted by the winds. Fortunately, 40 minutes after taking off we arrived safely in Kathmandu and had an enjoyable few days there before heading for home. Although, the trek was one of the toughest things I have done, it was one of the most enjoyable and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to do it.
I am currently collecting sponsorship money for Brecon Mountain rescue and so far have raised over one thousand pounds. If you would like to you can still donate via my ‘just giving’ website www.justgiving.com/Rebecca-Hayes
In addition to sponsorship, with the help of the pupils at Rougemont School I have raised £133.80 selling toast at break times and over £300 in a non-school uniform day.
I would like to thank all of the parents, pupils, staff and friends who have supported me and donated to Brecon Mountain Rescue.
Rebecca Hayes
