Message for Holy Trinity School

A VERY BIG HELLO FROM NEPAL

Dear Children, Teachers, Support Staff and Governors at Holy Trinity Junior School in Ripon

I hope that this message reaches you all well and hope you are settling back into school after a great summer holiday.

I always remember the start of a new term as an exciting time. I’m hoping that you will receive this message tomorrow before ending your first week back at school. 

I am now on the expedition to climb Mt Manaslu that I came to talk to you all about before breaking up for the summer holidays. We are able to blog and as promised this message is for you all.

We have been away for nearly two weeks and tomorrow we will complete a seven day trek through some beautiful countryside. After this we will make our way up to the Mount Manaslu base camp from which we will start our climb.

Please feel free to look at my blog and also the team blog which has more photos and updates from the team and myself.  http://remec-manaslu13.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Work hard everyone and I look forward to visiting you in school upon my return.

My very best to you all,

Graeme Taylor

Nearing the end of the trek (Phase 1)

Our trek from Arugat to Samagoen has one day to go. We are staying overnight in a place called Lho today and will arrive in Samagoen tomorrow. As the team blog has illustrated we have travelled through some spectacular scenery. As we have ascended the river Buddhi Gandaki and crossed from the east to west bank daily we have been privileged to see nature at it’s finest in both the flora and the fauna. We have also taken the opportunity to revisit mountain first aid skills.

The terrain has opened up today, the temperatures are much lower and the river Buddhi Gandaki is far below.We have gained 2500 metres in height over the last few days and will gain another 340 metres tomorrow on the trail to Smagaoen. We should get our first glimpse of the Mt Manaslu tomorrow and we are all looking forward to seeing her for real. The shear size of these Himalayan peaks is a sight to behold and can stop you in your steps when you see them for the first time. We will be getting to know Mt Manaslu very well over the next few weeks.

We will stay in Samagoen for a day or two while Cham, our Sirdar (the boss of the support crew), finds a new porter team to take our equipment and food to Manaslu base camp. Local rules dictate that we must use Samagoen people which is a shame, in one respect, as i feel that we have a great rapport with the team that has helped us so far. That said we are giving another team the opportunity of some work.

While we are in Samagoen we will take a few acclimatisation walks to prepare us for walk to base camp which is a massive 880 metre ascent in one day.

Once in base camp we will have the opportunity to prepare our clothing and equipment before starting to carry loads up the mountain all the while acclimatising in ultimate preparation for summit attempts at the end of September.  

The team - Chris, Jon, Brad, Jim, Rob, Ben and Little Chris.

If you are interested in finding out more about the expedition please feel free follow the team blog which is updated daily by the team and myself.  http://remec-manaslu13.blogspot.co.uk/

The journey commences

THE WEATHER IN KATHMANDU

THE JOURNEY - We're here after a long but uncomplicated journey from London to AbuDubai and then on to Kathmandu after a 10 hour wait. The preparation now begins with the repacking of bags ready for our 9 day trek into Manaslu base camp.

The busy roads of Kathmandu.

Our hosts in Nepal meet us at the airport.

The sorting out of clothing, equipment, food and medical supplies.

Everyone is in fine fettle and we are looking forward to getting out on the trail tomorrow morning. We are going to look at the oxygen system today and visit an orphanage to see if we can help them with a water filter.

Oxygen Training -better get tis right! 

VISIT TO A CHILDRENS ORPHANAGE
I was so humbled by these children and their main carer Syham. The spontaneous show of appreciation was so humbling - in fact; it floored me! Wonderful! We can sort the water filter for them and I hope more!

Mt Manaslu expedition makes the news

Mt Manaslu expedition makes the news

The story is out and the expedition has made the news. A TV interview with ITV Tyne Tees News, interview with the local radio station plus newspaper coverage:


http://harrogate-news.co.uk/2013/08/13/ripon-mountaineer-prepares-for-british-army-himalayan-expedition/

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10621060.Former_soldier_and_mountaineering_enthusiast_to_join_two_month_expedition_to_Himalayas/

http://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/10621060.Former_soldier_and_mountaineering_enthusiast_to_join_two_month_expedition_to_Himalayas/

http://www.ripongazette.co.uk/news/ripon/ripon-trainer-aims-to-scale-the-heights-1-5968245

Mt Manaslu - 10 days to go

FROM ONE PAIR OF SHOES TO ANOTHER - 10 DAYS TO GO

It's 10 days to go until we depart for Mt Manaslu. I am in a process of transition as I swap my everyday business shoes for high altitude mountaineering boots and head out to the Himalayas.

The transition involves making sure that all of the projects that I am involved in from a business perspective are running well and will continue to do so while I am away and packing my mountaineering equipment ensuring that I have everything that I need.

Preparations for Climbing Mt Manaslu (8156m)

For all the latest live posts from the expedition to Mount Manaslu please use the following link:  http://centred-coaching-mtblanc2012.blogspot.co.uk/



PREPARATIONS FOR MT MANASLU CONTINUES

The physical preparation continues with building up my cardio-vascular endurance and muscles around my weak knee. In May I participated in a charity bike ride, with some friends. We cycled from John o' Groats to Burley in Wharfedale. I managed to cycle 413 of the total 503 miles.

The knee has been playing up a bit but it isn't going to thwart progress. I'm in great shape and looking forward to this expedition with great enthusiasm.

Next Expedition - Mt Manaslu

HIGH ALTITUDE MOUNTAINEERING

The mountaineering focus this year has turned to Mt Manaslu which I will attempt to climb in late September/early October as part of a team.

The details from Google can be found below,

Mount Manaslu 8156 meters is eighth highest peak of the world. Manaslu located along the border of Nepal and China situated at west central Nepal. It was first climbed in 1956 by a Japanese expedition team. Manaslu is located about forty miles east of Annapurna range, the tenth highest mountain of the world. https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&t=h&source=embed&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=210676102320184694459.0004c7add539bc0181d09

It's going to be an adventure...............