Uncharted Himalaya Expedition 2009
**UPDATE**
Sent: 16 August 2009 22:51
I'm sat in Leh after having to evacuate a couple of the girls because of AMS.
We had been at ABC for a week at 5250m and climbed a few mountains.
One we had to pull out of at 6000m with a further 200m to go because it was too late in the day to get down safely. We have done a first ascent at 5865m, and I am hoping for news of more....
The Osprey pack is awesome as is the TNF Hydrogen jacket which I have been wearing with only an icebreaker underneath. It's pretty hot in the sun!
Info:
Tim Ward-Wilson works in Covent Garden and Ellis Brighamn have supportted his current expedition with the British Schools Exploring Society. This is his story...
Dates: 27 July - 28 August
Itinerary
Arrive in Dehli from London
Fly from Dehli to Leh, the capital of Ladakh
Journey by 4x4 over the Kardung La, the highest motorable road in the world at 5600m, to Hundar
Two-day trek into base camp in the Thanglasgo Valley
15 days at base camp and ABCs undertaking scientific studies and attempting various nearby summits c.6000m
Trek back to Leh over the Lasirmou La (c.5550m)
Return to London via Dehli
Science
The expedition is primarily science-based and, as such, will consist of several simultaneous scientific studies. These will include:
a. Physiology – There has been little or no research done on the effect of altitude on juvenile adults. The physiology studies taking place on this expedition will contribute to the Caudwell Extreme Everest study and include rates of blood-oxygen uptake, heart rate monitoring and lung capacities at various altitudes.
b. Glaciology – Perhaps the most important studies will be done in glaciology. In effect, they are studies into how climate change is effecting the region. India’s 3 main rivers rely on glacial meltwater from the Himalayas, so measuring the receding of those glaciers is important in predicting the future of this supply. Glacial run-off will be measured, as well as speed of flow and surface temperature of the ice – a study taken for, and in conjunction with, NASA.
c. Ecology – Another key indication of climate change in an area is the migration of plants and animals. Transects will be taken at increasing altitudes to establish migration patterns when compared to last year’s results.
The scientific results of these studies will be published and will be used by organisations such as NASA, MET office and WWF.
Mountaineering
BSES Expeditions’ managed to gain a few first-ascents last year in the area, and many more remain. There are three main mountaineering objectives, all of which have never been summitted, and all around 6000m. Each summit team will carry with them GPS systems and a comprehensive mountaineering guide will be produced for reference, including details on the ascents and routes taken.
Members
The expedition will comprise of a leader team of 14, and around 48 young explorers of between 16 and 21 years old. The expedition will be split into two base camps to allow more science and mountaineering over a wider area.
Many of these young people will have never been at altitude, or indeed away without their parents. The main objective of the expedition is the personal development of these young people, based in the expedition environment. This is in line with the object of BSES which is to:
“advance the education of young people by providing inspirational, challenging, scientific expeditions to remote, wild environments and so promote the development of their confidence, teamwork, leadership, and spirit of adventure and exploration.”
My Role
My role on the expedition is to be one of two Base Camp Managers. I will be responsible for all of the communications and technical equipment used whilst on expedition. Alongside this I will collate all of the data from the science work every evening and plot it on GIS software. I will also be in charge of producing the mountaineering guide once we return to the UK.
For more info go to either www.bses.org.uk or www.unchartedhimalaya.com
Kit List Coming Soon!
