MOUNT EVEREST BASE CAMP SUPPORT TREK May 2010'

May 12, 2010: Helicopter Evacuation: 

Yvette had a fall, or rather thrown forward off a horse this morning at 11:30hrs Nepal Time. Thankfully I was right there with Marcey and the Sherpas. She hit her forehead on a rock but most of the 'damage' was caused by her glasses which cut up her face a bit, mostly superficial. 

Thank goodness I had my giant first aid kit in my pack, we got the bleeding stopped and I cleaned her up. Shelooked like a mummy bit it worked. 

We got the chopper evac out of Gorak Shep around 14:45hrs Nepal Time and was back in Kathmandu by 16:30hrs. We are now at the Travelers clinic, a very good Western style clinic where they did x-rays and a stitch or two.

She is in good spirits, we've been doing joking all day that there were easier ways to get out of the last three days of trekking...I have emailed her son Allan to get a prescription for her glasses, which are no more. 

They released her tonight and I'll take her to the hotel and wake her up every few hourse to make sure she hasn't got a concussion. 

I'll keep everyone updated.   - Vanessa Higgott- Peak Freak Trek Guide/Learn for Life founder

Ang Nima Sherpa our trek sardar and friend since 1991 has been busy this spring. This is the third Peak Freak trek group since April 1, plus an Island Peak team co-led with his son Nima. Nima celebrated his 10th Island Peak Summit a couple weeks back with Peak Freak member Dan Butterworth from Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

Our first trek group and Island Peak team went in with the climbers on April 1. Next Marty Plunkett and Jim LaChapelle from the US joined with Ang Nima and a private trek to base camp mid April. Ang Nima is now joined with Vanessa and her base camp group. It's been an exciting year with lots of participants to share it with. Keep an eye on our next trek in October to Pumori and Everest Base Camp and another Island Peak is being assembled. 

I will be updating this page as we get details from Vanessa and group. They are in Debouche now in a lovely lodge in the   rhododendron forest below Tengboche. Tomorrow they will make the long journey up to Dingboche. By then they will start bumping into our Everest climbing team in the village near by. 

Photo: (1) Ang Nima Sherpa, Marty Plunkett, Dick Bass, Jim LaChapelle and Dick's guide.  1

TREKKER TEAM LIST:

ISLAND PEAK TEAM

1. Daniel Butterworth - Canadian from Manitoba
2. Blake Elliott- Canadian from Ontario
3. Sylva McCormick- Canadian from Ontario
4. Nadia Schenk - Canadian from Newfoundland
5. Paul McCormick - Canadian from Ontario
6. Stephen McKay- Canadian now living in Japan.

BASE CAMP SUPPORT TREK TEAM - First wave- March

1. Maria Anna Wissink - Canadian from Newfoundland
2. Jacintia McGrath- Canadian
3. Natelle Tulk- Canadian from Newfoundland
4. Bill Cottrell- Canadian from British Columbia
5. Heather Owsinaski- Canadian from British Columbia
6. Brigid Mangles- Australian from Queensland

BASE CAMP SUPPORT TREK TEAM- Second wave - May

1. Vanessa Higgott- Canadian
2. Marcey Rivers-Canadian

   NEXT TREK GROUP SCHEDULE October 4, 2010: Pumori Base Camp/Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar October 4, 2010: Island Peak Expedition April 1, 2011: Everest Base Camp Trek - with the climbers May 1, 2011: Everest Base Camp Trek April 1, 2011: Island Peak Expedition

3. Yvette Leveile- Canadian
4. Hugo Fortin- Canadian
5. Vonda Van Rooyen- American
6. Patrick Van Rooyen -American
7. Mark Shepheard -Canadian
8. Clare Vassos- Canadian
9. Alexandrea Vassos- Canadian
10. Lois McEwen - Canadian
11. Keith Mashinter - Canadian
12. Tania Dowzansky - Canadian
13. Dana Nicholls- Canadian

VANESSA CHECKS IN: Maoist now causing problems in the Khumbu!

May 5, 2010: Namaste from Namche Bazaar: Today's training hike was great, everyone is still doing really well. Yvette blazed the trail and kept a good pace for us to follow.

Just minutes above Namche, Ang Nima, Lhakpa and Dawa had built a Churung for Guy Leveille. Yvette and I along with Ang Nima, Lhakpa and Dagman climbed off the trail to see the beautiful stone memorial that they had built. Yvette pulled the mani stone out of her pack, I had some pictures of Guy, and we each had little notes that we had composed to him. As Ang Nima placed the mani stone with great care, Yvette and I each wrapped a khata around it. The gentlemen strung some prayer flags from the rock above, and we lit some incense, and had a good cry. They couldn't have picked a more beautiful spot, overlooking Namche, high on a rock above the trail, a truly fitting and awe-inspiring place, for a person who meant so much to so many people.  It felt so right to do this.  NOTE:

I am pleased to say that no one is feeling any altitude sickness, though there have been a few headaches

 including my own. The visit to the hospital in Khunde was great, everyone had their oxygen levels checked and we were all over 80%, some as high as 91 (go Hugo!).  We had a large duffle bag of donated supplies from Canada which they were happy to receive.

A visit to Ang Nima's house for a wonderful lunch was followed by a presentation of khatas to everyone.  I think the group was pretty pleased with that.  We then moved on to Lhakpa's where I was so thrilled to see his father, at 91 years old, was still there, smiling away.  We gave Tsiring, Lhakpa's 15 year old son, some clothes and colouring books.  Lhakpa was only too pleased to serve everyone tea.
When Tsiring started presenting everyone with khatas again, I know each of us was truly touched.  What a great afternoon!

The school in Khumjung has been shut down for fear of repercussions from the Maoists.  It will be at least a week before it is open, likewise in Namche.  I can't believe that these guys are literally shutting down the country!!!  If the market in namche is affected, so too will the Base Camp supplies...

Lhakpa tells me that the Maoists are up here in the Khumbu collecting 'donations' but they are covert, not wearing identifying clothes so you don't know who they are till they are extorting money.  He says they are making their way around base camp collecting from all the expeditions.

NOTE: Tim confirms there has been no sign of Maoists at base camp.

PHOTOS: (1) Vanessa and support team in Kathmandu, (2) Learn4Life Scholars dinner party with the trek team. By candle-light because the Maoist strike. 

GALLERY

HIMALAYAN HIGH ALTITUDE SPECIALISTS since 1983