home
Mike and Ken tell us why they support Xtreme Everest
It is 2006. Mike Teanby, engineer by trade, but by then working as a manager in a big retail company, reads the Saturday newspaper. An advert to come along as a trekker to Everest Base Camp and in the same time being submitted to medical research, eventually to better understand the mechanisms of human adaptation to lower levels of oxygen, and in the hope to ultimately have patients in Intensive Care benefit from this knowledge, catches his eye. Having spent some time in Intensive Care himself, he feels grateful for the care given and wants to give something back,. His second thoughts are that he will be able to see Mount Everest in real, something he has always wished for since reading Krakauerâs âinto thin airâ. The final âtipâ is the security of being surrounded by medics on this trip; he signs up.
It is 2006. Ken Stapleton has been dreaming of facing Mount Everest since he was five years old, when Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay summited for the first time in history. He reads a different Saturday newspaper, but containing the same advert from Xtreme Everest. In a bold mood he signs up.
Mike and Ken meet each other in their trekking group in April 2007. Instantly they level and team up.
It is now early April 2013. We are sitting outside of the Hotel Sherwi Khangba in Namche, comfortably in the sun, surrounded by stunning peaks. Ken and Mike are on their third Jagged Globe to the Khumbu valley in Nepal, and for the third time linked to Xtreme Everest. In 2009, after a reunion for âre-takersâ they decided to sign up again, as the trek would be a few weeks later in the season, enabling to enjoy the natural features differently. Furthermore it would be a little less scientific, with more time to do side âwalksâ such as the climb to Kala Patar. But still the two hiking friends would happily give up time and money to medical research.
Then Xtreme Everest 2 was announced. Both at the age of 65 were wondering if luck should be pushed again. So far they only struggled with the ramp test in base camp in 2007, and find the daily step test a âpunishmentâ. Mike was really badly worn down by diarrhea and vomiting in 2009 but successfully âtreatedâ with a plate of baked beans and tinned mango juice at 4200m, and Ken never had other symptoms of altitude sickness than a lack of appetite. But both times they were struck by the beauty of the surroundings, how special it was to sleep in Everest Base Camp where one can hear the avalanches and feel rocks moving underneath the glacier. Furthermore they express to feel secured by the well equipped medical support, and to experience being part of a special âcommunityâ. They met again at a meeting in London, and instantly they knew âwe are going againâ. Ken: âI feel kind of proud to be a subject, and especially now coming for the third time, it makes it to an honorary blockâ. He finds it hard to explain: âit is the amazement of medical encapsulationâ, âwow!â
This time Mike felt he wanted to engage people in his expedition. So far he did several presentations about his participation in Xtreme Everest. He put up a poster at work, explaining what the expedition trek was about, and why he participated. He was stunned by the reactions. He was surprised that many people knew relatives that had spent some time in Intensive Care, and the generosity of so many of his colleagues within all layers of the company to donate. Within a fortnight he collected £900, a great support to the research performed by Xtreme Everest. Mike: âbeing part of Xtreme Everest has been a fantastic phase in my life, and I am so proud that my colleagues enable me to contribute even moreâ. Ken can only agree. He collected an extra £400, which he kindly donates on top of his contribution of £500.
We are amazed by these initiatives, and I am very pleased to see that these âveteransâ are still amazed by the trek and the research involved. Mike: âyesterday we made the best picture of mount Everest of all three tripsâ. âAnd Namche now sells really good coffee, and even better chips than back homeâ, Ken adds. âSo far this time, I do not experience a lack in appetite at allâ, he smiles. The two âpilgrimageâ friends grab their camera to continue their exploration on this lovely, sunny resting day.
Post a comment on this article...
Comments on this article
| By: Sunita stein | When: 21st Apr 2013 08:57 | Hi mike glad u are enjoying the trek hope you found it as exciting as when u did before. We miss you and need u back safely. See u soon. |
| By: Dee Stuart | When: 17th Apr 2013 11:40 | We're all so proud of you Mike, especially those of us who work with you xxx |
| By: marie | When: 16th Apr 2013 19:41 | Hey Mike, glad to see you got there safely...we all miss you at Pinner. Take loads of pics and hope you enjoying yourself and it's not too cold, the sun has finally found its way to Ricky!! Enjoy the rest of your trip, have fun!! |
Latest News Stories...
