Support Treks
There is now less than 12 months to go before Everest 2007! Since our first expedition to Mount Elbrus the mountains have become more technical. However, in 2007 alongside our Summit Expedition we will be running 2 Treks to Nepal. These trips will be run through the specialist trekking company we have chosen, Adventure Peaks, who are also leading our Summit Team.
Everest Base Camp Trek
The Everest Base Camp Trek & Kala Patar is the most famous trek in the world. You will have the opportunity to experience the hustle and bustle, sights and smells of Kathmandu before your early morning flight to the famous Lukla airstrip.
You are almost immediately immersed into the wonders of Nepal with typical blue roofed houses, colourful prayer flags, rhododendrons, sherpa life and breathtaking scenery. You will then trek through the prosperous village of Namche Bazar and the many other delightful Sherpa villages including Thyangboche with its famous Monastery and the more traditional farming village of Dingboche. Throughout you will stand in awe of the outrageous mountain views including one of the most beautiful peaks in world; Ama Dablam and then Everest.
You will visit Everest Base camp and finally complete your journey with an ascent of Kala Patar where your reward will be a 360 degree panorama of spectacular 8000m peaks, framing the world’s highest; Mt Everest - a sight that is almost beyond words.
The ultimate trek taking in the best of the Khumbu and Everest where you will approach Everest via the sacred lakes of the Gokyo Valley, ascend the magnificent viewpoint Gokyo Ri (5350m), cross the famous Cho La pass (5420m) on the South side of Everest and summit Kala Patar (5554m). Finally we complete our trek by camping at the base of Everest directly below the famous Khumbu Icefall. Before returning to Lukla down the Khumbu Valley.
Island Peak Trek
Island Peak (6189m) is a more technical climb, involving an easy scramble and a rock ridge, to a glacier. Above the glacier, a steep snow headwall leads to an exposed but classic summit ridge. The summit offers fabulous views of many Himalayan giants including the immense south face of Lhotse and the elegant pyramid of Ama Dablam. The return journey is via the main Everest trail with its welcome teahouses!
Also, to continue the spirit of the Scottish Scouts Seven Summits we are arranging for the support trekkers to meet and work with local Scouts to carry out a service project that will either benefit the Scouts or the local Nepalese community.
Expedition Members
In 2005 adverts were placed in Scottish Scout News inviting Scouts to apply for the treking trip. The scouts and leaders who had applied for the summit expedition and had for various reasons dropped out were also contacted to inform them of the latest treks available. At the end of the year after several training weekends and information evenings 12 people decided to join the treks along with Kevin Lloyd, the overall project leader, and Phil Taylor the project equipment guru. Unfortunately as time has progressed 4 of the trekkers have withdrawn due to other commitments.
For Island Peak: Kevin Lloyd, Phil Taylor, Cameron Bell, Michael Carachi, John Edwards and Sarah Hyde.
For Everest Base Camp: Ross Brown, Peter Merckel and Callum Smith.
Some of the views on route to Base Camp
One of the many bridges
Namche Bazzar
Cho Oyu
Summit ridge of Island Peak
Climbing on Island peak