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Realising an Xtreme dream

56 messages :: read>

Ten sherpas and five climbers had set off from the South Col (7950m) at 9.30 pm on 22nd May. In a bitterly cold wind we had crossed the South Col Glacier, and steep climbing had led to the 40 degree Triangular Face. The spindrift driven by the strong winds had filled in the previous steps, so breaking trail was hard work. We arrived at the Balcony in good time and took a short break, but a combination of the cold, the dark and the wind meant it was better to be moving.

The cold clear starlight night silhouetted the South Ridge, which lead through a loose rocky section up towards the South Summit. The head-torches of our party twinkled above us as we tackled the steep rock. After climbing through the night, the red glow of dawn filled the sky over Makalu. With each breathless step we had climbed higher until we crested the South Summit; beyond lay the Hilary Step and the summit of Everest. An Xtreme dream was about to be realised.

I turned the flow rate on my oxygen cylinder from 2 to 3.5 litres per minute for the final hour of the climb. The route twists and turns along a knife edge ridge to reach the Hilary Step. This short steep segment was adorned with a mass of rope, mostly old and tatty but there was at least one in reasonable condition. Having surmounted the Step, a further 2-300m of relatively flat ground led to the summit of Everest, the highest point on earth.

At last it was possible to climb no higher. There was a mass of prayer flags fluttering in the bitterly cold and strong wind. It was so cold that we spent the shortest possible time on the summit. Initially there was an enormous feeling of elation shared with Mike, Sundeep, Dan and Nigel, and huge thanks to Tashi, the sherpa, who had shadowed me for the entire climb. Then a few private moments were taken to contemplate the effort and commitment that was required to get to the highest point on earth. There was also time to remember the support and prayers of those nearest and dearest, and then it was time to leave before the penetrating cold and hypoxia endangered a safe return, focusing on each and every step of the return journey.

Summit gallery>

Comments on this article

By: Sherm and Sherri Smoot

When: 10th Jun 2007 07:16

Chris,
We had a long chat with you in Dingboche while you and David were tying to gain some weight - remember? It was the night your buddies got lost coming home from Pheriche.
Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Great job!! What a thing. Check one more thing off your "things to do" list. Next is going home to enjoy your family.

We never made it to base camp, Sherm got sick in Lobuche and after waiting a day we decided to descend and it was a good decision for us. So we will live through you!
smoots

By: Nigel and Jane Coad	When: 5th Jun 2007 12:38
Chris That was a huge achievement. We are all very proud for you and the team and glad you will be home soon, safe and well to recount the tale. Great pictures but who goes back to clean up the summit when the season is over?? Nigel

By: Steve Krikler

When: 4th Jun 2007 13:14

Amazing, well done. Can't wait to hear all about it. Looking forward to the talk in due course. Have a good trip hhome, see you soon,

Steve

By: Lam Chin	When: 4th Jun 2007 09:54
Many congratulations on your outstanding and remarkable effort. Just seen your photos at Everest today and it is great to see you looking so good. Looking forward to have you back with us. With best wishes Lam Chin

By: Gavin Shields	When: 4th Jun 2007 09:31
Chris Truly a fantastic achievement! Well done.For the likes of us mere mortals to whom getting to the top of Scafell Pike is a bit of a slog,what you achieved is a bit awe inspiring. Gavin

By: Paul Brown	When: 2nd Jun 2007 18:10
Hi Chris, Many congratulations. We had an update from Mum and Jim yesterday, have a safe journey home. Best wishes Paul B (brother in law), Sue and Jess

By: jacqueline figgins	When: 2nd Jun 2007 16:44
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! for us normal people it was hard enough to get to base camp so I have no idea of how hard it must be to get the top. but well done to all from one of your trekkers! Well donr VIJAY! regards jacqueline figgins

By: colin imray

When: 2nd Jun 2007 09:42

Chris,
Your baby sisters have summed up the feelings of the whole family. All 19 0f us are looking forward to celebrations with you in Cheshire in July; and Frances and aged parents will be at the airport with Darling Wife and brilliant childrento greet your return. It is a wonderful coincidence that she was appointed Head of Roedean as you were summiting.
We do hope that as you descend to the oxygen and varied diet of the lower altitudes, you will quickly regain strength, and lose your coughs etc. But you and your team have actually been to "cloud lucky 7". Medicine will be the richer; but there must be an enormous load of statistics and analysis to be done before all the benefits are known.What a fantastic team effort - and what amazing organisation!
Safari njema,
Best Love,
M& D

By: Phil Baragwanath

When: 2nd Jun 2007 09:17

Dear Chris

A stunning achievement. We are all delighted that you and all the team are well and that you have avoided becoming another statistic on Everest's slopes. I think we can safely put that advertisment for a new Vascular Surgeon back in the filing cabinet. Looking forward to seeing you back here and hearing all about it.
Congratulations

Phil and Louise

By: dr usha jetty	When: 1st Jun 2007 19:23
to, mr imray, well done! congratulations on this marvelous achievement. thanks for sharing those magical moments with us who can only dream of seeing that sight.hope to see you and learn more about your experiences when back in coventry good luck usha jetty

By: Alison Colyer

When: 1st Jun 2007 10:28

The days move on and I am still overwhelmed with pride for you and the team. I am also only just beginning to understand how many people's lives you have touched - just reading the messages from so many people it's inspirational to think how many people are thinking of you and rooting for you - and these are just the ones that are able to post on the message boards....

Come home safe and sound and know that you are very much loved.

Alison x

By: The Urology Secretaries

When: 1st Jun 2007 09:47

Well done Chris and team

Hope the frost bite is being kept at bay!

We look forward to seeing you soon with some amazing pictures and stories

From: the girls outside your office door!

By: Ken Holton	When: 1st Jun 2007 09:36
What a fantastic achievement! Very well done. Looking forward to seeing your pics back in Coventry.

By: Mike Greene

When: 31st May 2007 21:49

Hi Chris
Fantastic acheivement well done...really pleased for you....have a safe journey home. I think I will need to buy the drinks the next time we meet.
It's my 50 th next year ..time for another reunion?
This is a storey worth sharing!
Karen and I send our congratulations and very best wishes.

Mike.

By: amy oldfield and fiona burton	When: 31st May 2007 19:33
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC achievement Chris well done to you and all involved. Wishing you all a safe journey home and back to UHCW. looking forward to hearing all about it. Best wishes Amy and Fiona

By: Jenny Amy & All at SPC	When: 31st May 2007 11:32
Many, many congratulations Chris and to all the Team for this amazing achievement . Wishing you all safe return home.

By: Andy Grieve

When: 31st May 2007 09:02

Congratulations Chris- you are an inspirational Doctor to young, adventurous ones like me.

Have a safe journey home. Will be in touch.

Andy

By: Alan Drew

When: 30th May 2007 23:54

Dear Chris,

Many congratulations! Looking forward to hearing
firsthand some of the adventures. Just keep counting the toes!

Alan

By: Sue Exon

When: 30th May 2007 20:04

Hi Chris,

Many Congratulations on your amazing achievement. The descriptions have been truly
inspirational.

Sue Exon

By: Dan Higman

When: 30th May 2007 19:27

Chris
You are a brilliant man - true grit! Looking forward to beer and stories when you return. All the best for a safe journey home.

Dan

By: Jean Pierre Danvoye	When: 30th May 2007 19:17
Hello Chris Congratulations for your successful expedition. Fantastic? Jean-Pierre Danvoye (Cho Oyu 2006) Montreal

By: Abdullah Shehu

When: 30th May 2007 17:52

Hi Chris. Congratulations! Very big achievement and we are all proud for you. Praying for your safe return and good luck for rest of the journey.

Best wishes,
Abdullah

By: Prithwish Banerjee	When: 30th May 2007 16:57
Breathtaking ! We are all completely over the moon. Many congratulations and a safe return.

By: Lawrence Anyanwu&Family	When: 30th May 2007 13:23
Congratulation Chris and team Look forward to tour safe retun soon Lawrence Anyanwu

By: Sriram	When: 30th May 2007 11:46
Congratulations on your great achievement. Well done. Pray for your safe return.

By: John Taylor	When: 30th May 2007 11:39
Nice one Chris! Congratulations to all your team and come home safely. Yours Aye, Jane and John Taylor

By: Andy Ilchyshyn	When: 30th May 2007 11:16
Dear Chris Fantastic news, superb account. Congratulations from all your colleagues on the SHMSC here at UHCW. We all look forward to your safe return and a step by step account of this wonderful achievement. Andy

By: Heather Stirling	When: 30th May 2007 10:50
Well done Chris From everyone in peadiatrics Heather

By: Peter and all the Bates Family	When: 30th May 2007 09:44
Chris, how fantastic! VERY WELL DONE TO YOU AND ALL

By: Tom Goodfellow

When: 30th May 2007 09:44

Chris

Fantastic achievement! Well done.

Now let's see how you cope with a real challenge - parking at the New Hospital !!!

Tom G

By: chris darby

When: 29th May 2007 18:23

congratulations. Have been watching your progress. Hopefully you have not needed your expertise in cold injury.
Summited a small hill near you two weeks ago.

chris d

By: Terry Coddington	When: 29th May 2007 12:48
Dear Chris Well done! Have a safe return and celebration when possible. Terry, Phil & Olly Coddington

By: Judith Picker

When: 29th May 2007 10:54

Congratulations Chris on reaching the summit and returning to Base Camp safely. We can't wait to hear all about it on your next visit to St Cross, it sounds amazing though gruelling.

Well done

Judith

By: Donald Singer	When: 28th May 2007 11:31
Delighted to hear of your success in reaching the summit of Everest and to see the remarkable images. Best wishes to you and your team for your return. Donald

By: Ilaria

When: 28th May 2007 11:21

CONGRATULATIONS to the summit team and all!!!!

Salut de l`Afrique
Ilaria

By: Andrew Sutherland	When: 28th May 2007 10:52
Well done Chris! Have been waiting anxiously every day to hear the extreme everest news. I look forward to hearing more over a beer in rainy England!

By: colin imray

When: 28th May 2007 10:48

From Elizabeth.
Not following in your footsteps on this one! I feel hypoxic enough at the end of the Great North Run! Although blue and orange are complementary colours, I prefer photos showing you with pink lips...
We are awed and proud of the hard work, focus and determination that got you to the top and relieved you are on your way down safely. Aidan has been giving blow by blow accounts to his teacher whose son is climbing Kilamanjaro, as a break from teaching in Africa.
I am impressed by the humility you express in your account 'to the top'.
My brother is a hero with nothing more to prove.
take care, with love
elizabeth

By: Sarah and Nigel Williams

When: 28th May 2007 10:18

Dear Chris

Many congratulations from both of us, a massive achievement. We will look forward to hearing more about this on your return. You and your family must be extremely proud of you and your team. Our best wishes go out to you and your family and we pray for your safe return to "sunny" Coventry.

Best wishes Nigel, Sarah and the boys

By: hugh evans	When: 28th May 2007 09:20
well done! have a safe journey down

By: Paul Firth	When: 28th May 2007 04:10
FANTASTIC achievement Chris - and well done to your family down at lower altitudes for going through it all too! Tremendous achievements all round. I look forward to the research articles too! Paul

By: Christine Malo	When: 28th May 2007 02:45
Congratulations for your outstanding achievement. and thank you so much for the care you gave to my brother Raymond Malo on Cho Oyu last september

By: Tony & Riana Roche	When: 28th May 2007 02:01
Dear Mikey G, A great big CONGRATULATIONS to you, the entire summit team, and base camp support, from us here in North Carolina!!!! We've been following your progress closely, and are delighted to read your news and hear all is well. Stay safe, and best wishes to all. As they say around here: "Get-er-Done"! Fondest regards, Tony & Riana

By: Neels Kriek	When: 27th May 2007 21:56
Chris a VERY big congratulations on this significant achievement. I had no doubt of your imminent success after our most enlightening chat in the Everest Bakery while our group (Group I) were up there. Hope to be able to catch up again and hear about the accent in person.

By: Dave and Liz Bradbury	When: 27th May 2007 21:26
CONGRATULATIONS on realising a dream as well as putting in such a huge effort for scientific research which will help so many people. The photographs are superb - thank you all. Dave (Trek H) and Liz Bradbury.

By: Cathy Naya	When: 27th May 2007 20:40
Congratulatulations on a wonderful achievement and a culmination of all your hopes and a dream come true. I learned of your summit from Sylvia on Wednesday. We are holidaying at my brother's, who also sends his congratulations. Wishing you and all the team a safe onward descent. Best wishes, Cathy and Nelson

By: Derek Styles (Optometrist)	When: 27th May 2007 20:17
Chris, A wonderfully descriptive blog. I only spent 4 days at Base Camp with you guys but have followed your expolits with great interest. Reaching Base Camp was a lifetime experience for me, I can barely imagine the stratospheric feelings of elation you guys must have felt. Heartiest congratulations to all involved. Make sure you return safely. Best wishes to all. Derek

By: Darling Wife

When: 27th May 2007 19:57

My dearest Grumpy Old Man

We seem to be in the midst of a bit of a storm here in Warwickshire and, having started this message 5 times, it appears to be losing momentum!

My PC has crashed, thanks to your AOL web server, but prior to that there were over 200 messages sinnce your successful summit!

I am so proud of you and I'm pleased that I can touch type as I cannot see the keyboard through my tears. Your M&D just called to say that new pictures of you on the summit had been posted. Cameron hopes that your face is not going to look like that permanently (STRETCHED OUT

By: Cameron Imray

When: 27th May 2007 19:26

Hello Daddy

Congratulations on summitting the mountain. I am so pleased to know that you are safely back at base camp. We are all missing you looking forward to seeing you again at home.

With Love

From
Cameron

By: Tina Fotherby

When: 27th May 2007 19:24

Dear Chris

Thank you for the up-date that is beautiful to read. You've also reminded me that we should be very appreciative of the huge armies of close family and friends who have supported the Caudwell Xtreme medical team during all of their time in Nepal.

Well done on a fantastic achievment!

Tina Fotherby

By: colin imray

When: 27th May 2007 19:06

Chris,
What an absolutely brilliant description of the final climb. That and the photos bring home that the expedition was no jolly outing, but a vital test that needed all the experience that the team and the sherpas brought to bear. All those physical tests for hypoxia en route must have added to the strain.
Last night at the Thai restaurant was a very happy occasion. Even Oz entered into the celebation. Caitie joined us for pudding, after her work. Ollie won 2 prizes at Speech day. Cam was quietly relieved at your news. Sylvia superb. They are all proud of you; I know you are of them. Its been a long strain.
But brilliant writing and photography! Congratulations to the whole team; and we hope profoundly that the sherpas return safely with the final loads.
Love and Hugs, M & D

By: Frances King	When: 27th May 2007 18:26
Well done, Chris, and to all the team! Love from all the Kings - Frances, Chris' sister

By: Anne Stephens

When: 27th May 2007 18:15

I have read with enormous interest all the blogs from the Xtreme Everest team and savoured every photograph. Our son Ben Stephens was to summit Everest on Thursday 24 May with the Everest 2007 team from London Business School. Such a profound life experience for you all, such a wonderful achievement, you truly know what it feels like to be on top of the world. Come home safely to us all.
John and Anne Stephens.

By: Chris Taggart	When: 27th May 2007 18:10
Hi Chris, On behalf of all your friends and medical colleagues in Coventry. WELL DONE! It sounds like a fantastic experience. We cannot wait to hear your account of your climb and the medical research you have done. Take care and return home safely. God bless. Chris Taggart

By: Mark Gillespie	When: 27th May 2007 17:34
Congratulations Chris and the rest of the team, for what has been an extraordinarily successful expedition. Wishing you all a safe return and looking forward to hearing the results of your research. Mark Gillespie P.S. Fantastic photos

By: Mike Doyle	When: 27th May 2007 17:33
Phenomenal!! Well done summiteers. Have followed your trip from September last year and it brings a tear to my eye as I contemplate your achievements. Pat and Paul - so close, but in our eyes you have climbed Everest. Hope to see you soon. Love Mike, Kate, J&Q Doyle

By: Mary Rawson	When: 27th May 2007 13:54
Thank you so much for that powerful blog. I can't begin to imagine how hard the climb was - and to realise how difficult the descent was also. We tend to always think it's the climb up, without appreciating how hard and risky the climb down is also. Huge thanks to you and to all the team, for putting yourselves at risk to help others. Mary

Blog by Chris Imray