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NEWS
20th Mar 2013

The Sherpas have started trekking in the Khumbu for Xtreme Everest

Testing in the sun

The first sherpa trek started trekking from Lukla on Tuesday 12th March with Dr Andre Vercueil (Caudwell Xtreme Everest 2007 climbing team) leading and Ang Gyaljen Sherpa as the sirdar. Poor weather delayed this trek for a day with the consequence that all the first three sherpa treks have been knocked back by one day. The departure of "Sherpa Trek A" also marked the completion of testing on the original planned 42 sherpa subjects in Kathmandu.

Laboratory manager Dr Denny Levett said "The sherpa subjects have been great to work with - always smiling and happy to spend long hours in the lab. The urine study in particular has caused great amusement first thing in the morning". She added " The lab team have done a superb job starting very early, working long days and maintaining good humour throughout".

Due to the large number of volunteers for the Xtreme Everest 2 Sherpa study, additional subjects have been added to several of the later treks with a total recruitment expected to be 64 sherpa subjects.

The second sherpa trek started trekking from Lukla on Thursday 12th March, two days after the first with Ollie Burdell (Xtreme Alps) leading and Dawa Sherpa as sirdar whilst trek A commenced high altitude testing in Namche.

The third sherpa trek leave Namche this morning and head on up the trail with Sundeep Dhillon (Caudwell Xtreme Everest climbing leader) leading and Lakpa Sherpa as sirdar. Adverse weather conditions prevented this trek flying from Kathmandu a few days ago, and due to the tight timetable in this early part of the study, the entire trek flew Lukla in three helicopter loads arriving mid-afternoon. Trek leader Sundeep did a great job of encouraging everyone through gathering darkness with a final arrival time of 8pm at Monjo.



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