The Challenge
The Everest Base Camp Challenge is a sponsored climb to the base camp of Everest in the stunning Khumba region of the Nepalese Himalaya, home to the Sherpas and the site of three of the world’s seven highest mountains.  This charity project was set up by Accenture employees to raise money in support of the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) education programme in Nepal, helping the next generation of Nepalese to fulfill their potential.  Accenture and VSO have worked together in a symbiotic partnership since 1999.  The VSO / Accenture overseas challenge initiative began in 2006, when 25 UK employees climbed the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro.  They have since included the trek to Mount Everest Base Camp to the overseas challenge initiative.  In addition to the trek, we will have the opportunity to visit a Nepalese school in Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu valley.  This is a unique chance to see the education on offer in Nepal and to gain a true understanding of how the money we raise will benefit the Nepalese children.  VSO volunteers work in the District Education Offices to provide support to schools and training to teachers.

The Charity
VSO is the largest independent charity in the world, working through volunteers.  The charity works in over 30 countries in the poorest regions of the world.  Instead of sending money, food or clothes, VSO sends people from a range of professions who want to make a difference.  VSO volunteers work in six specific areas: education, HIV and AIDS, disability, participation and governance, secure livelihoods, health and well-being.

VSO was voted top international development charity in the International Aid and Development category at the Charity Awards 2004 for its work in promoting
innovative approaches to globalizing volunteering.  

The Country
Nepal is a country is landlocked country in South Asia, surrounded by China to the north and India to the south, east and west.  The country is the home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, with the highest being Mount Everest at 29,029 ft (8,848m).  Kathmandu (population 535,000) is the capital city of Nepal, located in theKathmanduValley.  The official language of Nepal is Nepali (also known as Gurkhali), with 60% of its population speaking it, and its currency is the Nepalese Rupee.  The main religion in Nepal is Hinduism (80.6%), followed by Buddhism (10.7%). ^

The Mountain
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world, at 29,029 ft (8,848m).  It is located on the border between Nepal and Tibet, China.  Everest has two main climbing routes: the southeast ridge from Nepal and the northeast ridge from Tibet; thus, there are two base camps (one in Nepal (at 17,700 ft; 5,380m) and one in Tibet (at 16,990ft; 5,180m)).  I will be trekking to the southeast ridge Everest Base Camp in Nepal.   From Base Camp, we will be able to see the Khumbu Icefall, one of the most dangerous sections of the southeast ridge route, as there are many crevasses and shifting blocks of ice throughout the Icefall. ^

To put Everest’s size into comparison with the local mountains, Grouse Mountain stands at 4,039 ft (1,231m) and The Lions stand at 5,427 ft (1,654m).   In other words, add over  13,000 ft to the top of Grouse Mountain, and that’s where we are trekking to – and that’s only Base Camp!

The Sherpas
Nepal is the home of the Sherpas, a term used to refer to the local people who are employed as guides for mountaineering treks in the Himalayas, particularly Everest.  The Sherpas have one of the hardest, most demanding jobs in the world.  They are the backbone of any Everest expeditions – carrying supplies, setting up tents, cooking meals and setting ropes that are necessary for expeditions to summit.

The Sherpas actively practice Mahayana Tibetan Buddhism, and this reflects in every aspect of their daily life.  They avoid killing any living thing and place great value on acts of merit which will enhance their future lives and those of others.  Evidence of this devotion abounds everywhere in the Khumbu region of – prayer flags flutter from rooftops, stones inscribed with prayers line the trails and the eerie sounds of Tibetan chanting can be heard resounding through the valleys.

The Trek
The VSO Everest Base Camp Challenge Team will trek through pine forest, open meadows, Sherpa villages and up among the snow-capped peaks, reaching a height of 5,545m at Kala Pattar, where we will gain magnificent views of Everest.  Along with the trekking, we will be given the amazing opportunity to visit a VSO project site – a school in to meet the children that our fundraising will help.

Day 01: March 21, 2009 – In-Flight
Depart home location to Kathmandu.  

Day 02: March 22, 2009 – Kathmandu,
Connect with flight to Kathmandu.

Day 03: March 23, 2009 –Kathmandu
Trek briefing and VSO Project visit.

Day 04: March 24, 2009 – Lukla – Chumoa (2,743m)
The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla has to be one of the most spectacular in the world.  18-seat two-engine  Twin Otters fly this route of contrasting country with the snow line of the Himalayan range to the north and the rugged foothills of below and stretching away to the south.  The landing at Lukla airstrip (9,184 ft. / 2,880m) adds considerably to the general excitement and expectation.  After a sort out and cup of tea the trail leads northwest and descents to the river at Phakding (8,698 ft / 2,652m). 

However it is worth progressing on along the new route to the attractive fir-forested areas near the entrance to the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, where there are good campsites to be found around Chumoa and Jorsale.  Time: 5.5 hours

Day 05: March 25, 2009 – Namche Bazaar (3,445 m)
Another good reason for the longish first day is that the plod up the steep hill to Namche is better done when fresh and fit in the early morning.  Near the halfway point up the hill, the first views of Everest andLhotse appear.  Namche Bazaar is a prosperous town and the largest in the Khumbu.  As a traditional trading centre a colourful market is held every Saturday, and the wares on display include grains, vegetables, tennis shoes, trinkets, hand-woven aprons and Tibetan boots.  Thamserku and Kwangde Riloom to the east and west, and the sacred mountain Khumbila dominates the skyline to the north behind the village.  Time: 6 hours

Day 06: March 26, 2009 – Namche Bazaar (Acclimatization Day)
Today we have a brilliant acclimatization walk to a view spot to see Everest and the others (Nuptse, Lotse, Ama Dablam) and then upwards to the Everest View hotel.  We have a chance to stay here for a while and admire the magnificent views and see where our trek will take us.  We then return down for a very late snack lunch at the camp.  The afternoon is free to explore Namche Bazaar or just rest in camp.  Time: 4 hours

Day 07: March 27, 2009 – Thame (3,801m)
Traverse westwards with views of Kwangde and the waterfalls cascading off its flanks.  The trail contours high above the Bhote Kosi through yellow and white rhododendron forests (in full bloom in May).  Cross the river, look back down the valley for beautiful views of Thamserku and Kusum Kanguru, then climb up through rhododendron forest to open pasture just before Thame.

This pretty and secluded village is the birthplace of Tenzing Norgay who made the first ascent of Everest with Hillary in 1953.  We camp in meadows on the edge of the village, and an afternoon’s ascent to the Cliffside monastery is of great interest.  From here a trail leads across to the crest of a ridge for views of the route to the Nangpa La, a pass into frequently used by the Sherpas and their yaks during the monsoon months.  Time: 6 hours

Day 08: March 28, 2009 – Thame – Khumjung (3,790m)
Walk back down the valley by way of Thamdo, where there is a hillside nunnery.  Take the high trail, which bypasses Namche and drops into Khumjung.  This village is one of the most beautiful in the Khumbu.  It’s symmetrically laid out stone dwellings house the families of many of our Sherpas, who may extend their hospitality and offer a teatime visit – quite an experience!  Time: 6 hours

Day 09: March 29, 2009 – Thyangboche (3,867m)
The trail descends from Khumjung with chortens framing a dramatic view of Ama Dablam, Kangtaiga and Everest, its summit pyramid rising above the Lhotse Nuptse wall.  The descent continues through rhododendron forest, and you may catch a glimpse of blood or Impeyan pheasant in the undergrowth.  Cross the Dudh Kosi at the village of Phunkiwith its water-powered prayer wheels, and climb steely through rhododendron forest to the saddle at the top of the hill.

The new monastery at Thyangboche perhaps lacks some of the original’s charm, but the surrounding village still occupies the classic setting with superb views of Ama Dablam and the Nuptse Lhotse ridge hiding all but the very summit of Everest.  Immediately to the south, the twin peaks of Kangtaiga and Thamserku complete the spectacular panorama.

Before continuing down to Debouche (20 minutes from Thyangboche) to our camp, we have an opportunity to visit the bakery of Thyangboche for some well earned treats.  Time: 5 – 6 hours

Day 10: March 30, 2009 – Dingboche (4,350m)
Descend from Thyangboche to the Imja Khola, cross the reiver, and climb gradually to Pangboche where there is a fascinating gompa (monastery) above the main village.

After lunch near Pangboche, the trail climbs graduatlly up the valley to Pheriche, where the Himalayan Rescue Association have their aid post.  A final steepish climb over the ridge past chortens and mani walls leads to the prosperous village of Dingboche, which nestles in a sheltered spot at the end of the Chukhung Valley and is generally a more attractive place to stay than Pheriche.  Time: 5 hours

Day 11: March 31, 2009 – Dingboche (Acclimatization Day)
It is necessary for acclimatization purposes to spend two nights around the 14,000-foot level, but the day can be gainfully spend exploring the Chukhung Valley towards Island Peak.  Here one is truly among the giants of the Khumbu, with Ama Dablam and the massive southern ramparts of Nuptse and Lhotse flanking the valley.  Time: 5 hours

Day 12: April 1, 2009 – Dingboche – Gorak Shep (5,160m)
The path from Dingboche skirts the hillside above Pheriche and joins the main trail coming up the Imja Valley at Thugla.  There are beautiful views of Cholatse to the west across the valley.  A steep ascent leads to the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and the path is rough and ill defined in places, but the stark and rugged beauty of the area creates almost a moonscape.  Time: 5 hours

Day 13: April 2, 2009 – Gorak Shep – Everest Base Camp (5,300m) – Gorak Shep
Contouring along the valley side, the trail leads on to the moraine of the Khumbu Glacier and becomes quite vague, weaving between mounds of rubble.  After about three hours we will eventually reach Base Camp near the foot of the Khumbu Icefall.  Base Camp is actually spread over quite a wide area and we will spend some time wandering through it and getting a sense of what it must be like to be camped here for two whole months, whilst attempting the mountain.  An amazing experience, but we won’t get the best views of this stunning mountain until tomorrow when we summit Kala Pattar!  After a hot lunch we make the return trek to Gorak Shep.  Time: 5 – 6 hours

Day 14: April 3, 2009 – Lobuche – Kala Pattar – Lobuche (4,931m – 5,5545m)
An early start is essential.  The trail climbs gradually beside the lateral moraine of the glacier to the summer settlement of Gorak Shep at the base of Kala Pattar (5,545m).  The climb to the summit of Kala Pattar takes about two hours and can be hard work in the snow, but the effort is rewarded by the classic view of Everest and the Khumbu Icefall, as well as Lhotse, Nuptse, the Tibetan peak Changste and Pumori immediately above.  Time: 9 hours

Day 15: April 4, 2009 – Lobuche – Dingboche (4,350m)
Our challenge now takes us down the valley through the village of Pheriche  and onwards to the village of Tyangboche where we stay in the temple grounds.  If you are interested, the Monastery have a video they show plus a wonderful Buddhist gift shop.  Time: 6 – 7 hours

Day 16: April 5, 2009 – Dingboche – Monjo (2,835m)
Lots of “Nepali Flat” today down the valley to Monjo.  We head back past Namche Bazaar but take a different route from the way up.   We will have a chance to see Vultures second only to the Andean Condor and the Eagles souring everywhere.  Time: 7 – 8 hours

Day 17: April 6, 2009 – Monjo – Lukla (2, 804m)
The final day’s walking follows the river down the valley before the deceptively long hard climb up to Lukla.  Time: 5 – 6 hours

Day 18: April 7, 2009 – Lukla – Kathmandu
This morning we catch our return flight back to Kathmandu and arrive at the Summit Hotel in time for lunch.  Flights to Kathmandu operate during the mornings before the winds above the Dudh Kosi build up.  The take-off high above the Dudh Kosi is as spectacular as the earlier landing – and then some 45 minutes later, Kathmandu and civilization! 

This is the night of the Gala Dinner where you can celebrate your amazing achievement and enjoy a few drinks with the team.

Day 19: April 8, 2009 – Kathmandu
At leisure in  Kathmandu.

Day 20: April 9, 2009 – Departure
Depart Kathmandu.

The Fundraising
I am currently planning some fundraising initiatives to help raise over $8,000 CDN for VSO.  Please check back on a regular basis for updates to the events schedule! 

Thank you very much for your donation.  I appreciate it!

Please visit http://katherinewalker.blogspot.com to follow me on this adventure of a lifetime!

For more information, please contact me at katherine.l.walker@accenture.com.

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^ Information gathered from www.wikipedia.org.