We Made It!

Gorak Shep (5140m)

If anyone asks you to trek to 5,364m….Just say no! We can tell you first hand it’s harder than it sounds and every Penguin has felt the effects of the altitude to at least some degree. After a 5am start from Lobouche on Tuesday morning, little did we know it was going to be 11.5 hours until we made it back to the luxury (ha ha) of Gorak Shep!

Wrapped up in all our layers (oh yes our Rab investments were really paying dividends), we slowly made our way up through the moraine of the Khumba glacier to our first tea stop at Gorak Shep. At this point some of the group were seriously considering whether they would make it any further - pounding headaches, feeling sick, puffy faces and just feeling like every step is a struggle were some of the symptoms we felt. It is testament to the team spirit we have experienced that everyone pulled together to support each other and we all left Gorak Shep together.

It was sunny and clear as we set out and as we made slow progress over the boulders onto the glacier, we were incredibly relieved to see the prayer flags and boulder marking the achievment of our goal – Everest Base Camp. When we finally got there, we celebrated with a cold toasted nak cheese, cabbage and carrot sandwich, pringles and a mars bar. There were some emotional phone calls home, a few pictures and even a video of the Penguins. We then attempted a speedy (?!) exit as the snow began to fall.

The trek back was probably harder still as we knew that all that was waiting for us was very bleak accomodation, death hazards of frozen pee on the toilet floor and icicles over the sink, hideous floral wall paper, mice and reheated leftovers for dinner. Temperatures dropped to -20 degrees overnight and the symptoms of altitude sickness continued. Record for lowest oxygen saturation was 57%.

Despite the hardships, it was an incredible experience, the sense of achievment made it all worthwhile and we’ve seen some of the most amazing scenery, experienced wonderful Nepalese hospitality and realised how lucky we are.

We are writing this after our first shower in 8 days and having eaten a fantastic vegetable curry. The team are all in high spirits and looking forward to getting back to Kathmandu where we will be visiting one of the Room to Read projects which is what this is all in aid of. We hope this post gives a flavour of how tough the challenge has been and would encourage anyone who hasn’t already to please dig deep and sponsor us.