Cath Burgess
Helping children reach their potential by ascending 5380 metres (18,000 ft) to Everest Base Camp
Fundraising for Lloyds Banking Group Charity of the Year 2011 – Save the Children
Story
Thank you so much for taking time to visit my JustGiving page.
So what am I doing?
In the Summer of 2012, I am taking on the challenge of trekking to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal!! I will be 1 of 33 people who are participating in this event and there's much to do!
So what's my motivation?
I will be raising funds for Save the Children - Family and Schools Together (FAST). Did you know that 85% of a child's learning happens at home and not at school? By helping parents to help their children build confidence and do well at school through innovative FAST projects, Save The Children are able to break the link between poverty and low levels of educational attainment by encouraging parents to support their children's education and build links with schools and communities. Save the Children works with families, young people and children in the UK to tackle poverty directly.
Click the links to read about the difference the FAST initiative has already made :
http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/united-kingdom/fast
http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/blogs/2011/11/fast-seeing-the-difference-the-programme-makes/
Secondly the chance to experience a different culture and see spectacular scenery! Although, it may be a tad chilly at -5 degrees. The trek will push me to the limits of my physical and mental ability which will take me far, far out of my comfort zone.
So what does trekking to the Everest Base Camp really mean?
I want to share with you what I'll be doing for those intrepid adventurers at heart! Following a few days in Kathmandu to acclimatize we travel to Laklu.
Day 4 : Trek from Phakding to Namche. It will take a minimum of 5 hours, cover 10km and the distance vertically will be about 800m or 0.8km (2560 to 3450m).
Day 5 : To help acclimatize to the altitude, trek to the Everest View Hotel at 3900m (3450m to 3900m) or a 0.4km ascent and back to Namche.
Day 6 : There is a very steep climb of approx 7km from Dudh Kosi and could take upto 8 hours to trek. The ascent will be about 0.5km.
Day 7 : The trek continues to Dingboche from Dodh Kosi which is about 8km distance and a 0.5km ascent.
Day 8 : Acclimatization Day.
Day 9 : Trek to Lobuche which is about 9km and could take upto 8 hours. Arriving at Lobuche the altitude will be 4940m or an ascent of 0.5km.
Day 10 : Onwards and upwards! Trek to Gorak Shep 5220m (280m or 0.2km ascent). The distance to Gorak Shep from Lobuche is about 5km.
Day 11 : Ascend to Kala Pattar and Everest Base Camp at 5545m (325m or 0.3km ascent) and then retrace our steps to Lobuche and down to the Khamba Valley which is about 7km.
Day 12 : Follow the main Everest Trail, passing through Pangboche, a steep descent of approx 500m (0.5km) to the Dudh Kosi River, then ascending to the Namache Bazaar; walk about 9km distance.
Day 13 : The descent continues to Lukla and will cover about 14.5km.
Day 14 - 17 : Return and stay in Kathmandu.
What will I find most challenging?
Raising £1500 by 1 April, £3000 by 1 May and £4000 by 1 June 2012, which feels like a mammoth task at the moment. No doubt my friends, family and colleagues that I've worked with over the years will help me reach the fundraising target.
Getting really fit!!! There's going to be a lot of training to do - walking, badminton, swimming, cycling, zumba and salsa dancing!
Also trekking between 6 and 8 hours per day at altitude when I normally walk for about an hour a day on smooth, flat surfaces - with the added possibility of altitude sickness!!
The Save The Children FAST initiatve is a very worthwhile cause and all support will be very welcome; so please dig deep and donate.
Thank you.
Cath