Tackling Everest with the "Last of the British Adventurers" (Hardwear Sessions)

By Kenton Cool

Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Sir Ran Fiennes, with Everest over his left shoulder

The Dream Guides Everest 08 expedition is finally underway after months of planning and more than a little stress due to China being a wee bit of a pain.

Sir Ran Fiennes and I are currently in Namche, the capital of the Khumbu. We left Kathmandu on Fri Morning and had an uneventful flight to Lukla. (Ran is best known in the United States as the cousin of the actor Ralph Fiennes.)

Kenton receives the Everest permit

Finally getting the climbing permit in Kathmandu

Our Pilots

Do these guys really know how to fly??

After a swift pot of tea (Ran is the last of the British Adventurers after all) we set of for Monjo. The walk is pretty gentle on good in paths and after a couple of hours we stopped for lunch and more tea. We sat outside in the sun but we were watching the clouds boil up over the nearby hillside. The final hour to Monjo saw us all don waterproofs and walk in steady rain which was a little upsetting. The lodge in Monjo is really cool with a nice sun lounge and a great wood burner which they crack up in the eve.

Sat was the big hill to Namche. We entered through into the National Park and drop down to the Doh Kosi River before the grind to Namche. It started to rain at the bottom and didn't stop. We were all pretty wet by the time we got in, but the fire was burning and we all dried off pretty quickly. The eve was spent playing various card games which Natalie seemed to win most of the hands which we all reckon was a result of cheating (although we don't know her method) while Ran was losing most hands.

Today (Sunday) saw a break in the bad weather and finally allowed us some great views. The team finally got its first view of Everest way in the distance, it looked a long way off and there was a nasty snow plume coming off the top. We went for a wee walk to Kumjung and stopped for yet more tea, and some chocolate doughnuts (which Ran reckoned we're too dry even though he ate two). The walk back was funny with most people taking slips in the mud. Poor Dave got back covered in the stuff much to the amusement of everyone else.

The rest of the day is going to be spent chilling before we hike further towards the mountain. The next update will probably be from Base camp as the Marie Curie film team have a few problems with all the communication equipment (i.e. its not working) and the Dream Guides set up has gone ahead already, bummer.

Anyway stay cool out there and keep checking for news.

Take Care