Mount Everest Base Camp
Everest Base Camp – Call Me Crazy!
I’ve always wondered how people can actually DIE while attempting to summit Mount Everest ‘BASE’ Camp!
Well, now I know. If you missed the blog I wrote about my ‘near death experience’ after conquering Mount Everest Base Camp – you can find it here: My EBC Near Death Experience
Relaxing at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Kathmandu.
What happened to me after I was helicoptered back to Kathmandu? I was taken directly to a large hospital (my 3rd hospital for the day) where I had some tests done; blood tests, chest X-ray etc… I was released at around 6pm and checked into the Crown Plaza hotel for what I thought would be a nice 3-4 days rest before the group had descended the mountain by foot. Unfortunately, I woke up the next morning with a HUGE bump on my neck. I jumped in a cab and went straight back to the hospital. The same doctor who had released me the night before was there ✔
My EBC Near Death Experience
Resting on the way back to our lodge after reaching EBC!
Two days ago I reached Mount Everest Base Camp with relative ease and then, some hours later, I literally nearly lost my life. I honestly thought it was over and interestingly; I had only positive thoughts about the wonderful life I have lived.
I’ve decided to share my near death experience with you, as accurately and honestly as I can – with the ambition to share a heroic story about two strangers, fighting harder than I was even willing to fight – to save my life.
CONQUERING MOUNT EVEREST BASE CAMP
Mount Everest Base Camp – Conquered!
Gorakshep – BASE CAMP – Gorakshep: 6.28km.
Starting Altitude: 5,190m.
Finishing Altitude: 5,394m.
Elevation Gain (Not Difference): 222m.
Moving/Trekking Time: 2hr31min
Average Heart Rate: 137 bpm.
Max Heart Rate: 164 bpm.
Blood Saturation 1hr Pre Trek: 55%
Blood Saturation 1hr Post Trek: 37%
WOW! I just conquered Everest Base Camp!
What can I say? I’m proud to have made it to Mount Everest Base Camp! Was it easy, well no…. but also, it wasn’t as demanding as I thought it would be! There were many days I felt we should keep trekking – as we were often done by 1pm and apart from the chest infection, I felt strong!
Mount Everest Base Camp: Day by Day…..
Day Ten Trekking: Monday 5th November.
Morning:
Lobuche to Gorakshep: 4,65km
Starting Altitude: 5,070m.
Finishing Altitude: 5,190m.
Elevation Gain (Not Difference): 290m.
Moving/Trekking Time: 1hr47min
Average Heart Rate: 94 bpm.
Max Heart Rate: 123 bpm.
Blood Saturation 1hr Pre Trek: 57%
Blood Saturation 1hr Post Trek: 55%
AFTERNOON: We attempt to reach BASE CAMP!
Mount Everest Base Camp: Day by Day…..
Day Nine Trekking: Sunday 4th November.
Dzongla to Lobuche: 6.57km
Starting Altitude: 4,994m.
Finishing Altitude: 5,070m.
Elevation Gain (Not Difference): 287m.
Moving/Trekking Time: 2hr12min
Average Heart Rate: 104 bpm.
Max Heart Rate: 149 bpm.
Blood Saturation 1hr Pre Trek: 75%
Blood Saturation 1hr Post Trek: 66%
I had another rough night – not able to sleep (probably due to altitude) and coughing up green phlegm with serious chest pain again. It was the coldest night we have experienced yet and whilst my body was super warm in my ‘The North Face Summit’ sleeping bag (handling -29 degrees), breathing the cold air was not good for my chest. I was also not able to stay hydrated – as the bottled water I had purchased had turned to ice. It was -5 degrees.