Hat Trick

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What a week it has been, and yet there is more to come! We have had some visitors from America, both in the form of trekkers and a scientific collaborator. Andy Luks from Washington is starting to look at a sub group of trekkers arriving for sea level testing. He is using an echocardiography machine to measure pressures in the pulmonary vessels (the large vessels in the lung). He will look at how these pressures change as individuals are exposed to lower levels of oxygen.

Over the weekend we continue to test trekkers in the laboratory. Watch out for tube line disturbances if you are travelling to Archway for testing. There are a lot of engineering works going on!

I am having a bit of a dilemma concerning hats. Mac, the Expedition Manager, has threatened to burn one of the hats I wore on Cho Oyu last year because he says it is so ugly. Where do you get a decent hat that keeps you warm, and still looks nice? I have never found a practical and attractive hat! I have the wrong sort of head.

Almost everyone is now booked in for sea level testing. I only have to slot 11 more people in. If you are one of these 11, get in contact now! Time is running out. There comes a point when we have to shut the lab down and send all the equipment to Nepal, and then we cannot carry out any more testing. The core team leaves 7 weeks tomorrow.

Comments on this article

By: Geoff Hall

When: 2nd Feb 2007 21:32

Hi Kay,
Having attended the 'sea-level' tests on 31st January 2007, I just wanted to say 'thankyou' to the team for the dedication to the job at hand. You have been testing for a number of weeks now, so I was amazed to find you all still so enthusiastic. Personally, I enjoyed every aspect, although my decision to run back to the West End after the 'bike' tests probably wasn't my best. My legs were a bit stiff that evening!

Whilst visiting London I also sorted out my visa. The 24-hour turnround time was great, enabling me to collect my documents before returning 'up North'. Standing in the queue, I bumped into another member of the XE Team (young woman - South African - dietician??). Unfortunately, I can't remember your name... sorry - but see you 'on the hill'. Small world eh?
regards, Geoff

By: Carolyn Budding

When: 29th Jan 2007 14:00

Hi Kay

You need to take a look at Extremities - either on the Terra Nova website www.terra-nova.co.uk or www.extremities.co.uk - socks, gaiters and gloves as well as hats!

Carolyn

By: Mary

When: 27th Jan 2007 00:41

Hi Kay

Have you considered a balaclava? They come in many attractive colours and shapes, are very warm, and all you need to see are your eyes - which, I have to say, are very beautiful!

Blog by Kay Mitchell