Our Virtual Everest Expedition Day Nine

On to Gorak Shep

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Prayer flags on the trail 

Brigantes Everest Expedition Day 9

There was a lot of excitement this morning - aches and pains forgotten, we’re nearly there, we are invincible etc.  It had been a cold night and it was still well below freezing when we set off, suitably encased in layers and down. It was a slow upward grind alongside the Khumbu glacier and we were soon all puffing and short of breath – there’s not much oxygen up here! But there were smiles on most faces -we all realised we were close to our first main objective – Base Camp. 


The trail out of Lobuche follows the left side of the Khumbu valley. It is clearly marked but crosses many steep moraines where it is partly blocked by boulders which we had to scramble over. With a few pushes and jokes about arthritis we managed perfectly well. Perhaps we should have had wonderful views, but the day closed in, low clouds, mist and occasional snow showers, so all we saw was white.  It was a good time to test our climbing goggles. We certainly looked the part with them on! 

Gorak Shep

It wasn’t a long day – only about three miles, which would be an hour’s stroll in Yorkshire, but it’s very different here. Despite our determination and amazingly improved fitness we were glad to arrive at Gorak Shep. Though, to be honest, Gorak Shep is not too inviting. It is set on what looks like a flat desert plain but is actually a frozen lake bed. And it is bitterly cold and wind swept. “Welcome to the real Himalayas” said Sherpa Dowting with an evil grin.  

Gorak Shep.

It is, though, a very busy place, lots of comings and goings of people yaks and helicopters. The helicopters were either taking the rich and lazy on sight-seeing flights or airlifting out injured or altitude-sickened climbers. Either way they were a surreal sight after nine days hard trekking away from civilisation.  

Luke N Brightside

Expedition Communications Officer

I don’t understand why they’re all so cheerful. Most of them shouldn’t be here, though, amazingly none has suffered from altitude sickness – yet. They are the world’s walking wounded but they won’t give up. They gasped and wheezed their way here today, but with smiles on their faces. I still can’t see any of them making it to the top of Everest, but then, Fred Karno’s army surprised everyone a century ago. I wonder what deep-fried Rimjhim tastes like?

Sherpa Dowting

Head Porter

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Our virtual Everest expedition

back We are staging a virtual climb of Mount Everest to raise money for Wellspring, Carers Resource and Covid relief. All the previous daily blogs can be read here.