Many hands make light work!

After a long journey the team has arrived safely in Kathmandu.  With lots still to do before we depart for Aghurat the team split up with Jon & Chris A going to the Tourism Office  and meeting the minsister for tourism to collect the climbing permits, Rob & Brad shopping for medical supplies and arranging the team med pack and Jim, Ben, Chris C & Geordie buying board games to keep us sane at base camp.

 

Kathmandu is like nothing I have ever seen before, the roads are mental and just seem like a free for all, people sleep in the street and and there are strange smells of a mix between incencse and spices. Ben & Chris C have purchased some wacky trousers and are now resembling jesters.

 

Picture to follow.

The main team depart

The main team arrived at Heathrow Airport this morning with a mountain of kit. Having checked the weight of the kit and departing for the airport with 18Kg more than our group allowance, we where in for a hefty $500 charge. However with a bit of charm and a cheeky foot wedge under the check in scales, we soon were through with the bags miraculously under weight and no charge. 

The flight to Abu Dhabi was rather pleasant with comfortable seats and beer on tap. The team are currently enjoy a nap during our 9hr wait for the flight to Kathmandu. Thank you to Andy Wilce for driving the team to the airport and Etihad for free blankets and pillows. 

News from Jon & Jim in Kathmandu.

The freight has departed for base camp a total of 18 barrels, 12 x 110ltr duffle bags and 22 tents all weighing in a 36 x 30kg ish porter loads. 

Expedition update!

Jon and Jim have been in Kathmandu for a week now and have prepared a lot of the equipment for both teams. They have been in touch with Mountain Experience the trekking company, met the cook and had a look at their equipment and set up.  The bottled oxygen is being prepared by Neil of Summit Oxygen, the main team will have a training session on its use on Wednesday morning.  The huge amount of equipment the Jon and Jim are preparing is going to be with the trekking company this Sunday, so that porters can start moving it up to base camp.

Freight at BGN (c) Jon Evans

The roads and trials to base camp are currently in a bad condition, due to the weather causing numerous landslides. This may have an impact on how quickly the equipment and team can get into base camp. The monsoon weather is still hanging around with blue skies in the morning and rain early evening. Finally Jon and Jim are being well hosted by BGN and Dick Gale out in Kathmandu.

Advance Party Arrives!

Jon and Jim have arrived in Kathmandu and have settled in with the locals. They have met with the trekking agency and have begun to prepare the freight. The remainder of the Manaslu team will depart on Sunday 25th.

We're Famous..........In Harrogate.

Nice work Geordie Taylor, getting the expedition some air time in Harrogate News. Although I'm fairly sure he will now be getting the first round of beers in.

Expedition equipment arrives in Nepal.

The expedition equipment has arrived in Nepal having cleared customs it is now stored safe and sound in British Gurkha Nepal in Kathmandu.

The satellite communication kit has arrived.

All of the expedition communication equipment has been collected and is all working!

BGAN (c) Brad Beresford

The BGAN system above receives data from a geostationary satellite enabling the expedition to send emails and more importantly update this blog. The BGAN must have a clear line south to receive the best strength reception, lets hope Base Camp has good views south.

Satellite Phone (c) Brad Beresford

Both the Main and Development teams will have a satellite phone each to receive the weather forecast via text communicate to each other and the outside world. The phones are only really for emergencies and expedition business, so I wouldn't be expecting a call from a loved one.