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EveRRest 2021 - To Base Camp, not beyond!

In March 2021, we (Edward and Vicki) will be representing Bolton at Home on the EveRRest 2021 trek to Base Camp with Reuben's Retreat. Before we get there we need to raise a lot of money for this incredible charity and prepare ourselves for sleeping in sub-zero temperatures, walking 6-8 hours a day and get used to not showering. This blog will chart our preparations, our fundraising and the journey itself. The fundraising page is here:   https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BHEveRRestBaseCampTrek . We are supporting Reuben's Retreat, a charity born out of the loss of a beautiful boy, Reuben Michael Graham in 2012 who passed away at just 23 months old. They support families who have lost a child and those who face an uncertain future due to their child living with a life threatening or life limiting condition. They are currently renovating their forever home in stages to create a holiday home from home for families to visit together and make precious memories with their children. Ev
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One week to go!

Final preparations are underway. We've had lots of flight changes over the last two days but thanks to the persistent people at Intrepid we are sorted again and great news, plane fans, we are on a Dreamliner for the first leg of the outbound flight, which has cheered Vicki up no end.  Steve and Vicki went to visit Reuben's Retreat last week. We can't express enough just how amazing they are and how impactful your donations are to their work. Thank you so very very much. We think we might hit £10,000 from all the Bolton at Home Trekkers' fundraising including Edward and Anne last year, which is just unbelievable! This week we are resting up a bit, eating well, staying hydrated and packing our bags ready for Saturday. We want to be as ready as we can be. Here's the itinerary as it stands at the moment: Saturday 25th - Sunday 26th March: travel to Kathmandu via Doha. Get our visas, trekking permits, phone SIMs and duffel bags and hopefully a bit of sleep. Monday 27th -

It's March - which means we go THIS MONTH!

Some updates on what we have been doing and what's to come: Fundraising First of all, a huge, huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Our fundraising total so far across all our BH trekkers past and present is £8748 which is not far away at all from our target. Across the whole team of trekkers we have raised nearly £90,000! Nic, Reuben's Mummy had some lovely words to share about what this means to them. You can read them here . https://www.justgiving.com/team/EveRRest22 Preparation Update from Vicki: With 4 weeks to go I have packed my bags. We have a very strict weight limit of 15kg for the trek and I wanted to see how much space I would have to take some familiar snacks with me so I had a day off on Monday and packed it all. I think the answer is I will have my coat packets filled with snacks and will look like Joey from friends when he wears all Chandler's clothes when I board the plane to Lukla. I've bought things I never thought I would - some water-fr

Less than 6 months to go and we have new team members

Now that Edward and Anne have recovered from their adventure now and we are turning our attentions to the next trek. So that I'm not alone flying the flag for Bolton at Home, Owen Tomlin has been selected to join her on the trek and joining us will be our Bolton at Home colleague, Steve Roden, who has decided to join the trek off his own back as it's such an amazing challenge. Our flights are booked for March 25th 2023 and with just under 6 months to go, preparations are getting well and truly underway.  Firstly, we've updated our JustGiving page to reflect our new team and as always welcome any and all contributions. We will be updating on our fundraising activities over the coming months.  Secondly, there's a small matter of a very long trek up a very steep hill so I'm back in the gym in the morning and on the hunt for suitable walking boots.  Watch this space for more information on our new intrepid adventurers and show your support at: https://www.justgiving.com

Base Camp and beyond!

I got very excited, updating work people and our Justgiving site that I didn't actually share the exciting news here. Saturday morning was the big day and despite not feeling great, Anne and Edward made it to Gorak Shep for a tea break before the big trek to Base Camp. It was so cold that water bottles froze and it's tough moving about at that altitude so a long day. Edward was quoted as saying he's never doing this again. I guess I can't persuade him to come with me next year ... The group took Reuben's photograph with them and it was emotional and a fitting reminder as to why we are going through this. Saturday night was back in Gorak Shep before a descent of 1000m the next day, hopefully to some thicker air! Monday's trek was 'just' 5 hours but this meant time to visit the monastery in Tengboche and the 400m descent means some richer vegetation.  Here's some photos from Edward from Base Camp and the start of the journey back. Still time to donate

Day 7: Dingboche to Lobuche

At nearly 5000 metres altitude now. I understand most of the group are feeling the effects of the altitude (53% of the usual oxygen!) now so let's send all our positive vibes for the early start up to Gorak Shep tomorrow and cross EVERYTHING that Edward and Anne make it to Base Camp.  From the photos it's looking much more wintery and rugged. Proper Himalayas now.  Photo by James Phillips

Day 6: Acclimatisation in Dingboche

Not getting as many updates now as WiFi and charging gets patchier but had word from another trekker that today was an acclimatisation trek up to 4800m then back down to Dingboche to rest for the evening. I'm starting to get a feel for how much of a challenge this really is. Sickness at this altitude seems pretty common and it's -6°C overnight so not easy conditions but worth it for such a good cause! According to the itinerary tomorrow is a trek up to Lobuche then all being well the big day will be Saturday. I can't imagine how it will feel to reach Base Camp especially in the knowledge that after that it's all downhill, in a good way.  Thanks for all the support again. We are not far off our fundraising target either so thanks so so much! Photo by James Phillips. Look at that view! 

Day 5: Phortse to Dingboche

Thanks to there being wi-fi even up in the Himalayas, we are still getting updates from Edward and Anne. Today was another tough climb after getting up at 6am. After 5 hours of trekking to the lunch spot the weather changed somewhat with thunder, lightning and hail. Thank goodness for ponchos. Sounds like a tiring day but the views still look great!