On a rainy autumn morning a combined team of soldiers from 1 Royal Welsh, and climbing instructors from our sister Battalion 3 Royal Welsh set off to the Nepalese Himalaya. The overall aim of the expedition was to climb Island Peak (6189m), in the Khumbu Region. A serious undertaking, the expedition members were to be tested under arduous conditions while both mentally and physically exhausted.
The 25 day trip began in Kathmandu after a long flight from the UK. The city was bustling and the soldiers were completely entranced, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the capital city. The following morning the team loaded onto one of Yeti Airlines' small planes for a scary flight into Lukla, the world's most dangerous airport. As the aircraft turned towards the small strip perched on a cliff edge, the pilot yanked back on the throttle and dived for the tarmac, the team were silent!
Over the next few weeks the team trekked up through the clouds amongst the highest mountains in the World. Due to the overall altitude gain, the team stopped nightly around 1000ft higher than the start point, allowing optimum acclimatisation. Time spent in the small Himalayan villages allowed the soldiers to engage in the local culture and learn about the Sherpa people. While in the sherpa capital of Namche Bazaar, we were able visit the Hilary school and speak with the local children.
As the valley started to lose its vegetation, it became apparent that we were nearing the Khumbu Glacier, and subsequently Everest Base Camp. The air became thin, and the team trudged slowly around the rocky landscape. Soon, the ground opened to reveal the shale covered ice that has been home to all Everest Base Camps of recent years. Elated and exhausted, the teams focus turned toward the main goal.
The climb on Island Peak began at base camp 1200 vertical metres below the summit. High season on the mountain saw 20 other expeditions camped around the glacial lake. To avoid long queues and busy fixed ropes, the Royal Welsh set a high camp at 5500m, overlooking the Imja Tse glacier. At this height simple tasks became incredibly difficult, and we were suffering effects of the altitude.
The summit push began at 0200hrs, the air still, the team slowly made their way towards the glacier. Guided by the sherpa team, the bright head torches lit up the rock faces of Island Peak. After a few hours the rock slowly turned into ice and the team had reached the ‘crampon point’. Braving the cold the team quickly put on their crampons so that they could safely move across the ice.
The glacier immediately became very steep, the small tracks ran very close to huge open crevasses, a stomach churning sight. The team moved well and reached the ice wall, the final step by first light. Moving on the toes of the crampons, and hitting the ice axes into the sheer face the progress was slow, and incredibly draining. However, at 07:01am we stood on the summit. An incredible feeling, the team embraced for some photographs before returning to the base camp, and a well earned rest.
A successful expedition, the trip allowed young soldiers from the Royal Welsh to experience climbing amongst the highest mountains in the world. Cultural barriers were broken down, and the soldiers were able to push themselves physically in very demanding environment.
