Introducing The Nokia Maps Everest Test

Welcome to my Blog. Above is a 4 minute showreel. This is probably the best way to see what The Nokia Maps Everest Test was all about.

This was made for us by Captive Minds, our PR company and was played to everyone on our last night together in Kathmandu. We had been in the Himalayan wilderness for 16 days and had no idea what impact our expedition had had on the outside world.

The showreel shows just a snapshot of the global news coverage we garnered during the build-up and actually during the event. The coverage we recieved was a great reward for all the hard work we'd all put in, but the real pay-off was in spending a year of our lives getting to know each other, training, planning and fund-raising, and then 18 days together in the most amazing setting, doing something truly special.

In the posts on this blog you'll see the planning and execution of this expedition from my point of view. We had some dark times, for sure, but we also had some amazing high's. All in all this is something of which I am truly proud, but there were 50 people involved and everyone played their part. Some played more of a part than others, and they know who they are.

There's plenty more up my sleave where this came from, so please keep an eye on here for future sporting adventures.

Please enjoy the blog. Some of the photos are courtesy of expedition photographer George Powell (TG Photography) and the footage is courtesy of ITV reporter Mark Jordan and Captive Minds.

Thanks also to our sponsors and partners: Nokia, Qatar Airways, Peace Nepal Treks, MKK Sports, Gray Nichols, Flicx Wickets, The North Face, Surrey Cricket Club, MCC / Lord's, ITN London Tonight, Cricket World Magazine, stickcricket.com.

Many thanks to all involved, and well done!

Kirt

My Post-trip Satanta Sports Studion Interview

Day 15. Job Done!

What a few days we have had! I think I may have made myself, temporarily, the most disliked man on tour! People were tired, sick, fed-up and still I had to push them on to Lukla. Poor David got really sick. He, Breck and Wes suffered a great deal. Between them though with Markby and Nick they trudged heroically at the back to keep up with us. An amazing effort. Next up Joe came down with it. Not sure how he made it back, but with Ian and Cuzza’s support he did. I have to say I am proud of everyone for just gritting their teeth and getting the job done. There were some flashes of selfishness, but that is inevitable. However, there were also moments of outright selflessness and that is inspiring to see.

On the night of day 13 a few of us had to walk in pitch darkness as we helped an exhausted Jules and Joe into Namche Bazarre. However, the comradary was a wonderful thing. For me personally I felt that the trip back tested my resolve and belief in my decisions. I believe that I made the right decision though as we are now safely back in Kathmandu, with all our kit intact and we now have days and nights here to relax, eat and recover. I think people will come to forgive me!

I have to say that we have been so fortunate, with the weather first of all, but also in our choice of Trekking Company. Peace Nepal Treks have been spectacular. I went with my gut when I selected them, and it was the right call. All the guides, cooks and porters were phenominal, but in particular, Mr Nir Lama (the owner) has been a true God-send, and I am ever indebted to him for his tennacity, pride in his work, loyalty, patience, resourcefulness and kindness. Thanks so much Nir!

I love this City and am looking forward to hanging out here with this bunch of legends!

Last night in Lukla was a very special time. A few more people became ill, and that is a shame. The rest of us though had celebrations. Wes and I walked into Lukla together, as is fitting. On the main street, outside a bar the rest were gathered with beers. We got clapped in and soaked with beer. We made it! Cue hugging and general love-fest. Brilliant!

Hopefully there’ll be more of that tonight.

Day 12 - World Record Holders!

We are World Record holders! The game was a huge success yesterday. Even better, Hillary won!! Amazing performance and a great team effort saw us defeat Tenzing convincingly.

In the end all the Hillary boys stepped up to the plate like we knew we would. A strong opening partnership between David and Glen got us off the mark and from there we kept on going. Charlie Campbell bowled exceptionally, but everyone played their part. Most of the credit must go to Glen though. Throughout this whole thing he has been exceptional and excelled yet further on the day. Superior tactics, great leadership and a class performance. What more can you ask for from a skipper?!

It was a truly amazing experience. I am so pleased. There was a moment when we were batting that I took out to wander around the far side of the pitch and see the game happening in front of me with Everest and Nuptse as the back-drop. Now that is a special moment!

Celebrations were suitably debauched, with Champagne popped, cake cut and awards given out. Can’t wait to see the photos! A lot of my night was spent with the Sat-Phone glued to my ear doing interviews over in the UK. However, managed to find time between interviews to drink some champers or a beer. Brilliant night! Marcus was a total legend, as he has been throughout.

This morning I went up to Kala Patta with Dharma, David and Kiwi. We decided to avoid upper Kala Patta as it is always crowded. Instead we went to lower KP. Here we had the entire place to ourselves. Peaceful and with such an amazing view of Everest in all her glory as well as the entire Khumbu Glacier and the valley that we spent 9 days trekking up.

Last night I made a tough decision. We had previously always planned on getting back to Lukla in 4 days. However, I have been getting advice from locals and guides that this window of amazing weather will turn soon. Getting out from Lukla is tricky in rubbish weather and we will have no room for error if we take 4 days getting there. Therefore I have decided that we will get back down inside 3 days. This will be tough. However, it is possible and it will give me 2 days to get the Hillary boys out and 3 to get Tenzing. This is a much better situation. It’s going to make me unpopular, but not as unpopular as if we don’t get everyone back to the UK on time!

So we started our decent this morning after the visit to Kala Patta. I enjoyed the day’s trek, tough as it was. However, we now have a major problem. Chronic D&V (diahorea and vomiting) has broken out – nightmare! Wes and Breck have both succumbed and are in bad shape. We’ve tried to isolate the problem. Markby is also ill, but with different symptoms. I think he has straight forward exhaustion. If we are to make it down in the 3 days, I need this illness to go no further! It is a major concern, and am now making contingency plans. Tomorrow is a tough day too!