Dispatches › Summit Xperience Mt Everest Base Camp Blind Ambition II
Dispatch - 10/06
'Blind Ambition II' was never going to be just another trek. We all know that we would be facing great challenges.
Although we were confident that the trip would be successful, there was always the chance that we would struggle at times.
We should not have worried. It was superb! From day 1 to day 11, we had a great time. We were blessed with great weather and a support team that really did go 'above and beyond'.
We are now relaxing in Kathmandu, with wonderful memories jostling with each other to get into the conversation.
Today, Vina left for America and tomorrow, we will be flying to Sydney, having had the trip of a lifetime. Summit Xperience, thank you for all you have done for us. Thanks also to Explore Himalaya for their good support on the ground.
Regards from 'Blind Ambition II' team Nick, Charlie, Brian, Rozanne and Vina
Dispatch - 10/04
It seems like the team is thoroughly enjoying their trek back down to Lukla for the flight out to Kathmandu. The thicker air combined with the satisfaction of a successful tip makes for a wonderful last few days. Here is the message I was sent:
"Took our time to Lukla soaking up the sun and the memories. Last night of trek in Lukla. Sad to say goodbye to the porters"
I expect to hear from the team once they get back to Kathmandu in the next day or so. - Gavin
Dispatch - 10/02
Email from the team:
Hi Gavin,
Thanks for all the posts. My email is so slow. Struggling to get photos thru.
We are having the most amazing experience. Everest Base Camp was a great achievement for all the team on September 29 at 1.30pm.
Sunday 30th Charlie and I summitted Kala Pattar at 7am. Started off at 5am to watch sunrise. Got above clouds and weather cleared, amazing views of Everest.
We have been so lucky with the weather. Clear blue skies in the morning and clouding over in the afternoon.
We have been blessed with an amazing team of guides and porters. They are so special and the whole trip could not be possible with them.
Thanks for all the recommendations, you have been great with all the planning.
We are back at Namche. We have all enjoyed hot showers and feel
invigorated.
Our team have gelled so well together. We have been given nicknames:
Nick - 93 (his O2 sats at clinic were 93%)
Charlie - cheerful Charlie
Vina - Mother Vinarena
Brian - Uncle Brian
Rozanne - Boss Lady.
Cheers,
Boss Lady
Dispatch - 10/01
We received a text from the team today which read:
"No coverage for the last 5 days. Satellite phone sick but we were not so we spent only one night at Pheriche. Sept 29th we started the day with a minutes silence at the memorial outside the high altitude clinic. Clear weather surrounded by snow capped peaks. Trekked to Lobuche for the night. We are feeling that we are at altitude but also exhilarated. After a long day we got to Everest Base Camp at 1:30pm. Amazing! On Sept 30 Charlie, Rozanne and caring Sherpas summitted Kala Pattar at 7:00am to the sunrise and fantastic views of Mt Everest. So lucky the weather cleared. We slept at Pheriche on the way down and today coverage at last in Tengboche. We have been blessed with wonderful Sherpas"
Looks like they will have plenty of stories when they get back! - Gavin
Dispatch - 9/29
We have just received great news from Nepal. The team's guide contacted the office in Kathmandu to let them know that they had reached Everest Base Camp today (an elevation of 17,590ft (5360m))!
They explored base camp an hour or so and then returned to Gorak Shep. We don't have any more details but this is great news, it is all downhill from here! - Gavin
Dispatch - 9/27
The team has left Namche after a well deserved rest day and is now camped at Tengboche Monastery. Situated at 12,687 ft, (3,867m) the monastery is the
largest Gompa in the Khumbu region of Nepal. The monastery was built in 1916 by Lama Gulu with strong links to its mother monastery known as the Rongbuk Monastery
in Tibet. However, in 1934, it was destroyed by an earthquake and was subsequently rebuilt. In 1989, it was destroyed for a second time by a fire and then rebuilt
with the help of volunteers and international assistance.
The message the team sent via satellite phone read:
"Left Namche after rest day. Enjoyed climb, descent and climb to Tengboche Monastery. Thrilled to see Everest for the first time, luckily we had clear skies.
Special time at monastery with the Lama. Left enlightened (well most of us!). All well. BAE II."
Next stop Pheriche. - Gavin
Dispatch - 9/26
The Blind Ambition II team managed to get an email out from Namche Bazaar despite a very slow internet connection. The picture is of them at their lodge in Phakding where they spent
the first night on the trek. - Gavin
Dispatch - 9/24
The team has now reached Namche Bazaar, the Sherpa capitol. The village has amazing views of the surrounding mountains including Mt Everest and Ama Dablam.
The message from the team read "Made it to Namche. Personal highest for Vina and Brian. It was only the view that took the breath away, not the exertion. The
challenge today was yak yak yak, in other words a stampede!"They will be spending two nights in Namche it acclimatize to the higher elevation of 11,286ft (3440m) - Gavin
Dispatch - 9/21
We have received word from Kathmandu that the team's flight to Lukla was delayed by a day due to poor weather but they have successfully flown to Lukla today.
Their first night on the trail was spent in the village of Phakding which is a 2 hour hike downhill from Lukla. They will remember this hill when they are on the way back!
Team Bios and Xpedition Information
Aim of the expedition - Why we want to go is to experience the mother of all mountains, motivate others and raise awareness of visually impaired issues.
In May 2001, a team of 2 blind Australians, Nick Gleeson and Charlie McConnell, 2 sighted pilots and an experienced mountaineer, set out with the goal of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, which at 5896M is Africa's highest mountain. Four members of the expedition reached the summit of Kilimanjaro; unfortunately Charlie suffered extreme altitude sickness and was forced to turn back at around 5250M on the final day of the climb.
In September 2010, 3 of the original "Blind Ambition Expedition" team will go to base camp Everest in Nepal with an additional 2 pilots and be a part of "Blind Ambition Expedition II". The team will consist of Nick and Charlie. They are among the 300,000 Australians who are blind or have low vision. Rozanne Green, Brian O'Dea, and Vina Accomazzo will be their sighted pilots.
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Blind Ambition Expedition II team:
Nick Gleeson – Nick is 48 years old, blinded at age seven when an electronic swinging supermarket door hit him on the side of his head, causing a retinal detachment. Nick completed a Bachelor of Arts at Melbourne University. Nick's sport and adventure achievements: Represented Australia in athletics on three occasions, racing in America, England and Hong Kong. Played blind cricket for almost 20 seasons, representing Victoria, New South Wales and Australia. Completed the New York City Marathon twice. Carried the Sydney Olympic Torch Raced up the 1,576 steps of the Empire State Building Completed 90km from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in the Comrades Ultra Marathon. Formed the "Blind Ambition Expedition" team and reached the summit of Kilimanjaro. Australia Day Ambassador visiting rural communities. Completed Oxfam 100 km trail walkers with Australia's Minister of Defence, John Faulkner.
Nick describes himself "as a very ordinary person who has managed to follow many of his dreams – among them marrying Heather, who is also blind, and raising two teenagers, Peter and Belinda." He hopes that reaching Everest Base Camp may inspire others to look at their own lives and how they can achieve goals that involve keeping themselves fit and healthy. He loves the feeling of being well and knowing he has made a dream a reality.
Charlie McConnell – Charlie is 51 years old. His mother had chickenpox at the time of his birth resulting in him contracting glaucoma at the age of 6 months. From an early age Charlie enjoyed being outdoors and particularly in the bush. At school he was often found in the bush at the back of the school premises. Charlie's sport and adventure achievements: Apprentice jockey and horse trainer for five years. Played blind cricket representing New South Wales and Australia. Represented NSW in goal ball. Run numerous marathons and half marathons. Completed the Comrades Ultra marathon. Member of "Blind Ambition Expedition" to climb Kilimanjaro. Completed the New York City Marathon. Completed 6 Oxfam 100 km trail walkers. Completed the Kokoda trail.
Charlie says "The biggest thing for me in Nepal will be the diverse cultures we will see and experience. The villages, monasteries and interacting with locals will be something I can bring back with me and use to build on me as a person and hopefully be a better person both for me and within the community. I try to share my enjoyment in life with others so they also can with confidence take on the challenges that life might throw at them. You can do anything you want. You just need to work out a way to do it."
Rozanne Green - Rozanne is 50 years young. Rozanne's sport and adventure achievements: Completed many marathons and ultra marathons. Completed the New York City Marathon as a pilot for Nick. Carried the Sydney Olympic Torch. Completed the Comrades Ultra Marathon. Member of the "Blind Ambition Expedition" that reached the summit of Kilimanjaro. Completed many ocean swims. Attained bronze medallion in Surf Lifesaving doing patrols at Bondi Beach. Competed in the World Masters in Sydney in 2009 in kayaking and Surf Lifesaving winning a gold and silver medal in kayak marathons double and singles. Rozanne said one of her greatest adventures was with her 2 children Michael 21 and Nicky 18 in 2009 kayaking and camping around the "Whitsunday's". Since Kilimanjaro she has always wanted to see Everest. Nick and Charlie were both at her 50th and after hearing her wish list Nick approached her to join the "Blind Ambition Expedition II" team. Her wish list has other adventures to do with her children and more sedate travel with her partner Mark.
Brian O'Dea – Brian is 64 years old but only feels "about 63". He got to know Nick, Charlie and Rozanne when he joined the Achilles Running Club in Sydney. There he was greatly impressed by the achievements of so-called "disabled" people. He is still discovering the past exploits of Nick and Charlie and was delighted when they asked him to join the new "Blind Ambition" team's trek to the Mount Everest Base Camp. Started running 30 years ago as a way of keeping fit in the soccer off-season. ("I was the goalie and only got some exercise when we played without goal nets.") Completed 11 marathons and countless half-marathons in Australia, USA and NZ. Completed 2010 Boston Marathon – a "bucket list" event.
Vina Accomazzo – Vina is 52 years young living in USA with 3 children, Brandon 21, Ryan 20, and Kevin 18 Vina's sport and adventure achievements: Completed the New York City Marathon as a pilot for Nick. Vina would like to go to the base camp of Mount Everest because she has been given an opportunity to assist two people who are blind to fulfill a dream that will be incredible for them. In her mind, it is not just reaching base camp, but knowing the mountain, knowing everything you can see including vegetation, skyline, animal life and everything we find on our climb. She wants to be their eyes and that important bridge of human ability to bond together to make a dream a reality.