Hard Work?

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Well, it is Thursday, and it has been very busy since I last Blogged. On Monday we had a Puja ceremony. Everyone in the group who had attended a Puja before said that they had never attended a Puja like it. The Puja has to take place before the Sherpas will start moving up the mountain. Most Pujas last about two hours, but ours went on for about four, because Nigel got out his guitar, drum, shakers and gazoo. The Sherpas and ourselves took it in turn to ding and dance for about two hours. Therefore, Mike, our expedition leader, declared a day off from testing, and we had a relaxing afternoon to boot.

The following day, some of our sherpas started moving through the icefall, and camp one is now established. They are astounding, as they move with such speed.

We have been testing flat out since then. The Everest Base Camp lab team have been putting everyone through the basic tests. These include exercising on bikes, having our brain oxygen levels measured, photographing our retinas, and giving blood samples. Some of the Caudwell Xtreme Team have also been submitted to extra tests, including myself. Yesterday, I got on an exercise bike with a line in an artery in my wrist and a tube through my nose and into my stomach. Today, I had a biopsy taken from a large muscle in my thigh. Whilst these tests are quite unpleasant, they will provide information that has never been obtained before.

Tomorrow, the first of our trek groups arrives. Kama, the Sirdar for the trekking groups, has been putting the finishing touches to the trekkers? camp. We expect them to arrive at about lunch time. They will then spend the next two days testing in our laboratory here before heading back down the mountain. Trek B is in Pheriche, and trek C is in Namche. Trek D arrives in Kathmandu this afternoon. So, the experiment is really on track. How exciting!

Finally, a very happy birthday to Nikki Kolfschoten, one of our Everest Base Camp team.

Comments on this article

By: Rob Pittack	When: 13th Apr 2007 20:58
Hi Kay Hope the local for the muscle biopsy was pain free, thats if Deni let you have one. Glad to here everythings going well. Wish everyone luck, including the summit team. Best wishes Rob

By: Tessa & Marilyn	When: 13th Apr 2007 16:31
Message for Mary Rawson, Trek A. Hi Mary, Here we are sitting in the deserted campus office imagining your adventures! Can't wait to hear all the details. Love Tess & Marilyn

By: dan	When: 13th Apr 2007 16:26
Key, I hope all is going well, it seems like your having fun, apart from the tests and being cut up and stabbed with needles. lol. send my love to christine, mary and susie. Dan (Christines bfriend, if you havnt guesses. lol)

By: Barbara	When: 12th Apr 2007 21:52
Kay I hope you will remember to be kind to Marian on the bike!!! I am getting excited for the first group as they near. Hope all goes well. Take care. Barbara

Blog by Kay Mitchell