Before you read on I would like to say a massive thank you to all the staff at Across the Divide especially Rob (Expedition Leader), Chris (Doctor), Faye (Guide) for all their support during the challenge.  To Equator Expeditions for all their expertise and their amazing team for making the challenge as memorable as it was.  And also to all the trekkers for all their fundraising and laughs - it was certainly a challenge to remember. 

To see more pictures of the event please click here 

And the Nepal Challenge begins .........

Wednesday 12th November - Sukute to Mali
Altitude: 1905m - 2220m

Wake up call at the beautiful Equator Expeditions came at 6am.  After a very tasty breakfast we boarded the bus for Jiri…. “Its going to be a bumpy ride would prove to be an understatement”.  6 hours later, some shot nerves and several sore bums we arrived! (Safely). 

After a quick look around town we set off up into the hills for our first bit of trekking, which was easy enough as we were all eager to get going.  We arrived at camp 2 hours or so later.  Keeva and I were lucky to be invited in by the cooks and the lady of the house where we had coffee and we tried some of the local language which amused all!  After a meal fit for a king we made our way to our tents for a good sleep..

Hadrian

Thursday 13th November - Mali to Deorali
Altitude: 2220m - 1800m - 2730m

Woken up with a chirpy “good morning” and cup of tea brought to the tent!  If this wasn’t enough of a comfort then the warm water and scrumptious breakfast brought smiles to everyone’s faces.  We began our day’s trekking by descending a beautiful valley that had a bright blue river flowing through.  What goes down must also come up, so up up up we went until we reached our lunch spot where a table awaited amongst breathtaking views.  After a lunch fit for kings we continued a tough walk up to our camp at Deurali where we were rewarded with spectacular views, tea and friendly faces.  After an amazing dinner and our first Nepalese lesson taught by the wonderful Furba, our brains were tested by Robs very testing ‘hand game’.  We all looked forward to a good nights sleep ready for the next day.

Keeva

Friday 14th November - Deorali to Kapti Sherpa Territory
Altitude: 2730m - 1500m - 2350m

Up again at 6am, got out to find all the tents had frozen over during the night.  The cloud cover that had covered the village when we arrived yesterday had descended below us during the night giving some wonderful views of some Himalayan peaks and the valley itself.  After some warm-ups and looking like eegits for the entertainment of the locals we left to descend the 1500m to the valley below. 

We stopped in at a Buddhist monastery on the decent and were welcomed into what was in assent a ‘wake’ by the locals.  We were treated to some lovely potatoes and Sherpa tea all but the hardcore seemed to dislike the local brew.  On we went, down, down, down which then caused some issues with oncoming blisters but these were quickly dealt with and there was no stopping this crew. 

We crossed over a number of rope bridges and got to see a Nepalese transport wagon.  This consisted of 1 man and about a dozen donkeys.  Sherpa Furba reassured the crew that ‘real’ Nepalese men carry everything on their backs and this was only rare.  So what goes down must come up and as we were happy to reach the bottom it was a little tiring to know we now had to go up 1200m, assured that it was only 5km ‘as the crow flies!’ then it shouldn’t be hard.  A thought crossed my mind that I hadn’t seen a crow in these parts nor did I ever see one walk up a mountain either. 

At 1pm we stopped in a wee village to enjoy some bread, local vegetables and snacks over looking the valley, you’d pay big for views and even meals of such great quality in other places.  Up, up, up we went chatting and having a good laugh with a final ascent to a beautiful Nepalese farmhouse at 5pm. 

We were some what of an intriguing site for the kids who enjoyed some of our biscuits.  After again some fab food provided by our team it was off to bed as big days await us. 

As I write this now sitting on the edge of the valley, all is looking good and confidence is high.  Today brought us through unforgettable countryside and we met beautiful people along the way.  To be honest we’re tired but it’s minimal for the payback.

Aiden

Saturday 15th November - Kapti to Ngaur
Altitude: 2350m - 3420m

Another 6am start with tea handed in to us in the tents, these early starts are actually lovely with excellent mountain views.  We had breakfast in a typical Nepalese farmhouse where we were treated amazingly yet again although I think tourists had not visited in a long time as the kids sat staring at us in amazement.  After breakfast we headed off, all up hill today and at midday we stopped in a monastery on the top of a mountain 3000m.  We were invited in by a Lama to get some shade from the sun, another humble kind Nepalese person; he gave us biscuits and apples.  One hour later we stopped for lunch and our cook would give Gordon Ramsey a run for his money, tasty again. 

Next stop 3 hours later was camp at 3400m, above the clouds. This time we stayed in Furba or guides grandparents' farm, two real characters, a few of us sat with them by their open fire and chatted with Furba translating.  Next too their house was a lone Lama Monk praying on a prayer wheel and he also invited us in. 

We were blessed with the most amazing sunset tonight, I have seen a few but this one will be hard beat.  Early start tomorrow 2am for summit day and my first ever time to see Everest.

Paul

Sunday 16th November - Reaching the summit of Pike Peak
Altitude: 3420m - 4070m - 1635m

The roof top of the world
Today was the ‘big day’ a straight climb of over 600m to Pike Peak, to see the sunrise.  Up at 2am, everyone was awake and up before call, all excitement anticipation.  Rice pudding breakfast and set off at 3.30am pretty steep climbing through forest – as everyone on the trek will know I’m not the best at climbing!  The pace set by Furba and Rob was great, slow and steady – when we left the forest behind the wind picked up and after 2.5 hours of climbing the end was in sight, we could see a pink glow in the sky and were near the top – Rob was doing the army thing and encouraging us on – I was knackered and the wind was strong and cold – we finally ‘topped out’ just before the sun rise and I was very emotional it had been a tough climb but Chris and Gerard had been great the whole way up and all the team knew the strengths of others after the last few days and we made it together – words couldn’t describe the experience of seeing Everest with the naked eye of even the feeling of being at over 4000m, having walked it. 

Made it back to camp for fab breakfast then a 3 hour walk to Ferba’s village to visit the school where the children were all waiting to meet us – Neil gave a great speech and we presented the school with some gifts – bubbles for the children – they just loved them, the Sherpa guides got some fun from the bubbles too.  Then on to Ferba’s home for the night.  Warm welcome from all here. 

I would like to thank all the Jam Jam team for getting me to the top! And for all the laughs along the way

Mealla

Monday 17th November - Khare to Deorali
Altitude: 1635m - 2730m - 1800m

We set off from Furba’s family home after being presented with beautiful silk scarf’s around our necks. 

We tackled the ‘down down’ trail to the valley below and the river running through it the temptations to stop and dip our toes in was resisted by all and on we went.  We started the ‘up up’ in good form, everyone was aware that it was our final ‘push up’ 

The pace slowed a little and just as we needed it, a welcome was around the next corner in the form of a sun lit meadow with a picnic lunch right in the middle. We watched the children playing and were fascinated by one particular game ‘toss the rat!!  Two or three little kids happily throwing dead rats around. 

Paul showed his footballing skills off with some of the wee boys.  We had another delightful lunch provided by the cook and his kitchen staff. 

We continued on in the late afternoon sunshine up up and eventually made it into Deurali. 

We’d already stayed here camping but this time enjoyed a night’s sleep in the tea house.  Roared laughing at Aiden and Paul’s tales of Puccin before bedtime……

Leeanne

Tuesday 18th November - Deorali to Sukute
Altitude: 1800m - 625m

Our final day of the trek started at 6am as usual and we had a quick 3 hour walk into Shivalaya ahead and then a 7-8 hour bus journey to Sukute for our gala night. 

Along the trek at one of our stops we spent some time reflecting on the experience which helped put it all into perspective for us and when we arrived at Shivalaya for lunch Zoe, Faye and Furba had a finishing line and a celebratory beer waiting for us. 

After lunch we had a bone shaking but extremely safe 2 hour bus journey to Jiri followed by a very quick 4-5 hour trip back to Sukute.   Everyone was thoroughly wrecked but looking forward to our gala night.  After getting washed up and refreshed we all met up again in the bar for a fantastic dinner (as usual) and a few beers.  There were lots of awards handed out from each of the tents followed by a round of finger shooting after each award (Pauls idea) instead of clapping, a great laugh. 

Well that was a great end to the trek and a great end to the day.

Neil

Wednesday 19th November - Sukute to Kathmandu

Had a “lie in” after the gala night (got up at 8.00 instead of the usual 6.30). A few sore heads around the campsite I think. We had a really good breakfast (lots of coffee) followed by a three hour bus journey back to Kathmandu and the Concern Worldwide office.

We arrived in Kathmandu around 12.00 where we met Phil, the country director for Concern in Nepal. We had a question and answers session with Phil and his team and learned how the money we raised would be spent and the projects Concern are currently launching in Nepal, in particular the Nutrition Programme.

After some group photos at the office we headed to our hotel and the first shower for many of us for 10 days.  After freshening up, we were at a loss as to “What to do in Kathmandu?” Some people hit the hairdressers, a very different experience from European grooming by all accounts. The majority of us went to pick up some local bargains at the night market

We met back at the hotel for food at 8 that night for our goodbye meal. A couple of beers and an early night before our flight home the next day. (Ok – it was a late night – a very late night! I think its safe to say it was an experience we’ll all remember.

Gerard