TREK SUCCESS!! Just a quick note to let you know that myself and the rest of the cadet team completed our Himalayan Trek successfully reaching the summit of Mount Kanamo (5974m) on Sunday 8^th August.

Reaching the peak was the culmination of an epic journey which featured mountain rail travel, trekking through very difficult but truly spectacular terrain, wild camping and crossing nine fast flowing rivers (without bridges!) with Sherpas and pack animals. The journey was made yet more interesting due to heavy monsoon conditions, a combination of hot humid temperatures and extreme cold, landslides and even chest deep snow in the latter stages!

Acclimatisation to the increasing altitude took time and patience. At each stage of the journey regular additional acclimatisation walks were carried out to ensure that each team member was fully prepared for what lay ahead. Base camp and advanced base camps were set up over several days on the mountain in preparation for the actual ascent which proved worthwhile. Clearly eighteen months of training here in the UK certainly paid off as each team member was at the peak of fitness and able to cope with the challenges.

This incredible journey also gave us a glimpse of Indian culture from the cities of the plains to the rural villages of the Himalayas ranging from crowded urban life, monkey temples, historic Shimla, tiny remote hill stations, tranquil Buddhist monasteries to wide open spaces, glaciers, towering snow capped mountain ranges to the Taj Mahal.

It was an exhausting adventure full of hard work but one which I will never forget!  

Thanks once again to everyone who sponsored me. Over the next few weeks I will prepare a full presentation and report of my experiences.

Himalayan Trek 2010 for Alzheimer's  (previously Everest Base Camp Trek 2010)
            I am a 17 year old Air Cadet from 739 (Scarborough) Air Cadets and student at Scarborough Sixth Form College who, in August this year, will be attempting a 180km trek in the extremely isolated Himalayas of northern India in an effort to raise money for the hardworking Alzheimer’s Society.

            Organised by the Yorkshire Cadet Trust, the trek team will take a route through Spiti and Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh culminating in a long and strenuous ascent to the summit of Kanamo peak - which at 5974m or 19,599ft is about same height as Mount Kilimanjaro!

            Much of the trek will take place through inhospitable terrain at high altitude conditions over a period of three weeks. I can expect hard core high altitude camping, thin air, no electricity, to experience extremes of temperature, remote rugged terrain, deal with pack animals and not to see anyone else for weeks on end. Not exactly a holiday!!

            Having worked as a volunteer at Scarborough Alzheimer’s office, I have witnessed firsthand how the Alzheimer’s Society offers massive support to sufferers, their families and carers. However to continue this valuable work they desperately need more support.

            It’s a sobering thought that one in three of us will end up with some form of dementia, Alzheimer’s being the commonest.... yet despite these shocking statistics comparatively little is being invested to combat this disease.

            So please, please can I ask that you dig deep to sponsor my poor legs! By making a pledge you will be directly supporting the work of the Alzheimer’s sufferers and their families.

            I have already fundraised the cost of the entire trip and equipment so that 100% of your donation will go directly to the Alzheimer’s Society to help them continue their fantastic work. Why not spread the word to family and friends that I have not yet reached to help make this trek truly worthwhile?

Thank you so much,

Stuart Nicholson