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BLOG: Kay Mitchell  23rd May 2007
 
Trek L arrive at Everest Base Camp

Trek L walked into Everest Base Camp yesterday, looking fit and well, and very pleased to have reached their goal. Today, they have started testing in the lab, and n between tests they are enjoying the perfect weather. The sky is completely cloudless and blue, and the sun I shining. This must make it a perfect day for our summiteers who have made their way back down to Camp Four.

It is a strange feeling, knowing that some of our climbers have summitted, but that some of them still have to make their attempt. I cannot help but remain nervous, and reluctant to celebrate the success so far. The two camera crews keep asking me how I am feeling, and I just cannot put it into words. In addition, in some ways this is the culmination of three years of hard work, even though we have heaps of analysis to carry out when we get back to the UK.

Pema Tharki Sherpa, our Sirdar, summitted Everest today for the first time. It was special because he did it with three of his brothers, all of whom have summitted before. Another brother, Nema Temba, had already summitted with the Jagged Globe commercial team earlier this season. Our Sherpas are a phenomenal group of individuals that have over 80 8000m summits between them. Without their hard work and commitment, this research expedition would not have been possible.

Finally, I have a message from Michael Dix to his trek sponsors:

?From the near top of the world many thanks to all of you who have sponsored my trek to EBC, in particular Jean, Helen, Graham and all my family and friends from bowls, bridge and Probus. The views on the way up are awesome. No picture will ever show the beauty which constantly changes. We all made it including Fletcher at 73! The Royal Godbrit tour will be pleased to hear 99 has reached new heights.?


Comments on this article
By: Lurline WatersWhen: 26th May 2007 14:57
Hello Kay

What an amazing project. Congratulations to all on its outstanding success! Thankyou for keeping us all so well informed on its progress
.
We are dying to see a photo of lucky last Trek M!
I do hope the happy honeymooners, Tandi and Nicole, are safe and well and that there is a bit of a celebrationfor them at EBC. My love to them both.

I do hope we will see you in Melbourne in December?

Lurline (Tandi's Mum)



By: Jill AebiWhen: 26th May 2007 11:37
Hello Kay
No doubt you are currently busy testing Trek M who I see by the news page have arrived.
We are all dying to hear if Nicole and Tandi made it safely. Please tell Nicole I miss her and hate the lack of communication! Cant be helped I know but you know what Mums are! Yes I know they are in safe hands .... but !!
Love and best wishes
Jill


By: Ruth McMorrowWhen: 25th May 2007 13:22
Hi Kay would you be able to get Rog to email me as
soon as he can with any pictures with the Fianna F?il/ Ireland flag please, and a big hug as well, thanks


By: Rosemary WatsonWhen: 25th May 2007 10:30
Hi Kay,

I just wanted to say THANKS for all your hard work in this whole expedition and for keeping us so well informed and updated on the progress of our family and friends during this whole amazing expedition.

Rosemary Watson (Nigel Hart's sister).



By: Laura SimcockWhen: 25th May 2007 08:56
Hello Mike, mummy has been telling me everyday where you are on the mountain.Well done for getting up to the top - I shall tell all my friends at school that you climbed up the highest mountain in the world.Look forward to seeing you when you get back to England - love Laura and Corin


By: areshWhen: 25th May 2007 08:32
Dear Chris and friends,
congratulations to you all on a great achievement

aresh



By: Kyle RutherfordWhen: 25th May 2007 04:28
SALUTE!!!!
We all spent time on the top of the world with you!!! Thanks for taking us along. Wishes for a safe decent and journey home.



By: Kev FongWhen: 25th May 2007 01:55
Dear All,

Fantastic to hear that you all summited successfully and safely. Massive congratulations all round - it's a truly amazing achievement and worth all of your hard work over the past few years. Wish I was there of course: Houston's not as pretty as Nepal.

Safe journey home. Look forward to seeing you in London.

Kev




By: anand ahujaWhen: 25th May 2007 01:18
congratulations to all who summited today. It is an acheivement they can be truly proud of. The expedition seems a spectacular success. The Sherpas are amazing.
The others who were not in the summit team, must have contributed immensly to the success of the whole venture. They should not be forgotten. They gained valuable experience of living and working in harsh and testing conditions. They too should be proud of their efforts and contributions.
We now look forward to all coming home safely and meet up with their dear ones.
Anand


By: Philip HartWhen: 25th May 2007 00:22
Kay

A huge heartfelt thanks to you for keeping us in touch with all our loved ones and friends taking part in the expedition.

Philip Hart (Nigel's eldest brother)



By: Wynne AvelingWhen: 24th May 2007 23:59
Well done Mike, Jeremy and Roger and all the other summiteers. Did you get a blood gas? Safe home.
Wynne


By: betty whiteWhen: 24th May 2007 21:58
message for Helen White. Good to see you looking so happy ! Roseberry Topping will seem like a small step up after this, won't it!! Had a lovely day with your mum & dad on sunday with Mike. We all send you our love and we'll see you when you get home Betty & Pete


By: Mark GillespieWhen: 24th May 2007 20:57
Hearty congratulations to all the summiteers - an amazing and very worthwhile achievement. With prayers for a safe descent and return home.
Mark Gillespie


By: Tina FotherbyWhen: 24th May 2007 20:37
Dear Kay

Thank you so much for the brilliant news and for keeping us up to date with everything in difficult conditions.

Your skill in keeping everyone involved and informed is amazing. Everest Base Camp might sound a cosy place but having spent just a couple of nights there I take my hat off to anyone who makes it a home for several weeks! You are made of strong stuff! EBC is no place for wimps!!

Please pass on love and best wishes to the summit team, their brilliant support team and of course the research support climbers.

Several other volunteers from Trek F send their best wishes too including Richard, Darla and Doug and we all feel very proud to have played a part in the wonderful initiative......

It won't be long before you'll be back in Archway and we can share a laugh or two together! Well done on a fantastic achievement.

Lots of love from Tina, Amanda and Ginni @ YES



By: Trek J group congratsWhen: 24th May 2007 19:29
Fantastic congrats to all the summiteers! Fingers remain crossed in anticipation of 2nd group's safe descent.... Our own modest descent has seen us hemmed in by bad weather at Lukla for an extra day and now, in crazy contrast, part of the group have just spent a sweltering day in Bahrain marking time - hence this email. Looking forward to the big party - awesome! David Cobb and Trek J team...


By: Michael WilliamsWhen: 24th May 2007 18:48
Just heard the news about Nigel, Roger and the rest who summitted
Bloody hell! Well done, so pleased for you! That's a fantastic achievement, there'll definately be a few drinks had for youse in Norn Iron tonight!

Mike W



By: Heather HansenWhen: 24th May 2007 18:42
Kay,

As we await the safe return of the Summit Team to EBC, I wanted to say thanks for your work in keeping us, in the outside world, so well-connected to your research expedition over the past few months. Whether or not they?re aware, your team?MDs, Sherpas, logisticians, filmmakers and volunteers?are a tremendous inspiration. Through your individual and collective thoughts and impressions, you?ve reminded us all to challenge convention, push boundaries, observe keenly, exercise adaptability, and laugh heartily and often. Thanks for letting us come along on your remarkable journey. Your loved one will be fortunate to have all of you home safely!

Heather Hansen
Boulder, Colorado



By: Janet StocksWhen: 24th May 2007 18:01
Absolutely overjoyed to hear the news of further successful summiteering this morning -massive congratulations to all concerned including the support teams who were so integral to this success.

Thoughts remain firmly with you all for a safe descent - Wish I could be there to join the celebrations - but maybe when you return to the UK.....!

Take care and enjoy the rest of your time in the mountains
Janet



By: claire mcmullenWhen: 24th May 2007 14:55
Congratulations to all of you who summited. Very emotional for you all I'm sure.
Well done Daniel, I always knew you would do it. The dream came true!!
Hope all is well
Love Claire and Ciaran xx


By: ClareWhen: 24th May 2007 14:36
Lynn! Congratulations on reaching Everest Base Camp - what an amazing achievement. Hope you are having a great time - and happy birthday for Saturday! A great place to celebrate it - maybe some chaang for the occasion?! Love Clare x


By: Geoff and Valerie TuckerWhen: 24th May 2007 14:01
Congratualtions Daniel to you and everyone who summitted. Well done, what a fantastic achievement. Your dream fulfilled, we look forward to hearing all about it and seeing you in June. Geoff says stop playing on that hill as there is a boat in Brixham waiting for you to bring her home.

We hope you all return safely.

Love

Ma xxx



By: SaraWhen: 24th May 2007 13:46
Hi Kay,
Thank you so much for your call this morning. I am so relieved that the team is safe and well and delighted with the expedition's achievement.

As the news filters out to our family and community we have been inundated this morning with messages of congratulations. So, CONGRADULATIONS CXE!!

Tell Roger, Nuala and John, we love them loads and well done to them all.

Sara



By: Simon WilliamsWhen: 24th May 2007 13:20
Just like to say congratulations to all involved, summiters, sherpas, and all of the support teams who have made this happen.

Tell Dan that a few beers were supped last night in his name !


Simon.



By: Simon WilliamsWhen: 24th May 2007 13:17
Just like to say congratulations to all involved, summiters, sherpas, and all of the support teams who have made this happen.

Tell Dan that a few beers were supped last night in his name !


Simon.



By: marian mateerWhen: 24th May 2007 13:04
Hello fom Ms Mateer's Yr 8 Maths class - we have just heard that our flag has reached the top with Roger. We would like to send our congratulations to Roger and all the climbing team.

And thank you for keeping us up to date with your blogs - they help to distract Ms Mateer from our Maths lessons.

XXXXXXX from 8A, Friends' School Lisburn



By: Caroline HartWhen: 24th May 2007 12:31
Kay

Thank you so much for your phone message yesterday morning letting me know that Nigel had summited successfully and was safely back at Camp 4. Probably just as well you got the machine rather than me as I would have made no sense at all. Best wishes for the rest of the trip.

Caroline Hart



By: marian mateerWhen: 24th May 2007 12:02
Hi Kay

Have just heard that the 2nd group have summitted - what great news. Please pass on my congrats to the whole team - a great achievement. Would you also please give Nuala and John ( Roger's Mum and Dad) a big welcome hug from me when they arrive at base camp tomorrow. They will be over the moon - I wish I was there - what a party there will be.

love and hugs from Marian - trek A



By: Francelle BradfordWhen: 24th May 2007 00:07
Absolutely wonderful. Well done to all of you who summitted today and good luck to those of you summitting tommorrow. Am so proud to have met u all and to have done the trek to Base Camp and I do appreciate all the hard work and planning that has made all this happen.
Try to get some rest!!
Francelle


By: Mary RawsonWhen: 23rd May 2007 23:36
Hi Kay
Please pass on our congratulations to those who summited, and best wishes to those who are about to 'go up'.
Did anyone manage to get a blood sample at the top?
Well done to you, Kay, for the broadcasting idea - I'm sure the 'dancing on ice' was a sight to behold!
Praying for everyone's safe return.
Love Mary xx


By: Rob PitttackWhen: 23rd May 2007 23:29
Hi Kay
You've done a great job keeping us all in touch. Wish Mike & the rest of the summiteers congratulations. I wish the second summit team all the best and hope all descend safetly.
It sounds like you've collected enough data to keep you busy for a few weeks. Whilst everyone has a celebratory drink you could collect some more data on the effects of alcohol at altitude.
Best wishes
Rob


By: Sylvia ImrayWhen: 23rd May 2007 21:44
Thank you for your phone call this morning. I apologise for blubbering down the phone at you but I guess you realised I was a bit overwhelmed!

Brillant news! Let's hope the remaining team members have such good fortune and that they all descend safely, one and all.

Congratulations again to today's summiteers and to evryone who has contributed so much to the whole expedition - what a great team effort!

Love Sylvia xxx



By: Liz and Dave BradburyWhen: 23rd May 2007 19:55
Congratulations to the climbers who have summitted Everest - a fantastic achievement, especially in view of the scientific research which has been carried out. Good Luck to the rest and our best wishes for a safe return for everyone.
Liz and Dave Bradbury (Group H).


By: Mark PruzinaWhen: 23rd May 2007 18:53
Congratulations to Nigel and all the team for their great achievement today from everyone in BARF.

What we want to know did Nigel expose his inner thigh on the summit for that all important blood sample.???

Good luck to the the rest of the team and well done on all the great science you're doing.
MarkP



By: anand ahujaWhen: 23rd May 2007 17:34
Many congratulations to Mike and all who summitted, including the irreplacable Sherpas without whose help mission would have been virtually impossible.
Good luck to others to attemt to summit.
Thank you forkeeping us up-to-date.
Anand


By: Ralf HenkerWhen: 23rd May 2007 17:32
Congratulations from the whole Cortex crew to all of these excellent climbers and strong personalities who reached the summit today! It was (and still is) a pleasure to work with your committed, competent and friendly team.

Good luck to the second group on their summit attempt tomorrow and a safe return to Base Camp for all of you!

Ralf



By: David CollierWhen: 23rd May 2007 17:22
Dear Kay,
Fantastic news and am in awe at the wonderful communications you've sustained through all this.

Richly deserved success, and share your slight reservations about celebrating. It's a weird feeling but gets much better later.

Congratulations to Mike and all of you.

Yours ever

David



By: SimonWhen: 23rd May 2007 17:17
WELL DONE! A fantastic result after everyone's efforts.

Put some wheels on those bikes and cycle home.



By: Ian CalderWhen: 23rd May 2007 16:54
Such cheerful news - many congratulations from all at QS and RFH - "chust sublime" .

Ian Calder



By: Jason from Tamarack (ENGO)When: 23rd May 2007 16:51
Congratulations to everyone who has reached the summit and best wishes to all of you who are on your way!! We are always thinking of you and hope everyone remains in good health.

Jason from Tamarack (ENGO)



By: Ron PowellWhen: 23rd May 2007 16:10
Congratulations to those that have summited and good luck to those yet to do so, and to all for a safe return. I can only imagine the emotions of all in-country at the moment. Although, of course, a big roughy-toughy, I'm feeling quite emotional myself, looking out over the Bristol Channel and trying to put myself back at Base Camp.

Ron Powell, Group G



By: Beryl & Dennis MitchellWhen: 23rd May 2007 15:07
Kay,
What an achievement! Pass our congratulations to all the climbing team and the Sherpas without whom none of it would have been possible. We can appreciate your caution until everyone is back at EBC, but it's another giant step for medical research (as long as you don't forget to bring all the medical data back with you). We're very proud of you.
With our love,
Mum & Dad and progeny XXXXXXX


By: Roger CorderyWhen: 23rd May 2007 14:48
Wow! Just heard the news (from Siobhan actually)! Congratulations to the guys and good luck to the others!
Roger


By: marian mateerWhen: 23rd May 2007 14:43
Hi Kay from Ms Mateer's Maths Class 8A

Please pass on congratulations to all the climbers who have summited so far. We look forward to hearing that Roger has made the top along with our flag.

XXXXXX from 8A Friends' School Lisburn



By: Barry MartinWhen: 23rd May 2007 13:54
To Dan Martin
Well done Dan, we knew you could do it. Another tick in a box, what next? Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Dad and Joyce
x



By: David HillebrandtWhen: 23rd May 2007 13:46
Congratulations to all 16 members of the first sumitt team. Fantastic. Diploma Mountain Medicine E mail list all aware and thrilled for you. Booking you now for presentations on Advanced course in May 08! Dave H.


By: Siobhan MythenWhen: 23rd May 2007 13:21
Congratulation's to all those who summitted and a (belated) Happy Birthday to Mike for yesterday!

Mr & Mrs Down have just text their 'Congratulations' from their honeymoon too!

Good luck to the rest of the team on their summit and wishing you all a safe return to Base Camp
Siobhan & Katie



By: Carolyn FergusonWhen: 23rd May 2007 12:53
Hello David, Well done to you all for making it to the top of the world. Make sure that your camera is working! You may have the basics for a few paintings there. All is good here and your father is still keen to hear of your progress. Take care and enjoy your futher adventures. Love Carolyn xxx


By: andrea harveyWhen: 23rd May 2007 12:30
could you tell daniel that we are all pleased that he has reached the top and now safe back at camp 4. Can't wait 2 give him a huge hug when he comes home in june.
Thanks
from andrea
xxx


By: Lamont RossWhen: 23rd May 2007 12:26
Miss Kay,
The climbers are 2 miles away from EBC but in reality it is as if they were on the moon. Helpless excitement as you sit and listen. The story of the rescue of the 22 year old lady from the Balcony (sick, alone, frostbit with no communication) by the climbing team is incredible. Subtle heroism. Continued safe journey.


By: Dave DurrantWhen: 23rd May 2007 12:22
Hi Kay
On behalf of Trek team I, please pass our heartiest congratulations on to Mike and the team. Base camp and Kala Patar were hard enough, how they get to the summit of Everest I'll never know?

Best wishes Dave D



By: Stuart SeymourWhen: 23rd May 2007 11:59
Hi Kay and team,

WOW!!!! I am absolutely delighted to hear that Mike and a couple of others summitted this morning - what an amazing achievment! I also send my best to those who are going to try and summit tomorrow, and wish everybody all the luck in the world when coming down the mountain.

Having been on one of the earlier treks I know how much effort has gone into achieving all of this, and it is great just to be able to say that I was part of this extraordinary expedition.

Congratulations to one and all, as it has been an amazing team effort from all of you - and I look forward to the reunion(s) back in London to help you celebrate.

Have a great time coming home.

Stuart




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XE Blogs:
Other blogs by Kay Mitchell:
23/12/09
Getting ready for the Christmas Break!
26/11/09
Talking it up
23/05/09
Everest Summit Anniversary
20/05/09
Summit Success
14/05/09
Oh what a beautiful morning!
12/05/09
The more it snows!
07/05/09
Taking the piss!
17/04/09
Trek A9 are well on the way

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