Oct 30th Everest Metrological Race 19000 ft

Well as usual; I came up with another stupid idea this time one which nearly cost me big time.
There is opposite everest a peak where there is a webcam and metrological equiptment to measure data of any global warming effects on Mount Everest. It has spectacular views of everest and the Khumbo glacier below and the surrounding area as shown by the pic below I took this morning.

 Anyway I talked the scouse taffy and the aussie into see if we could beat the record time by western tourists upto the peak, this of course did not include locals as they can whoop us as they live out here and altitude is the major issue with over 50% less oxygen to replenish your lungs when your doing any form of exercise at 19000ft.
The record which is only for fun was set at 1 hr and 15 mins to the summit. We got up at 4am to see the sunrise over everest or that was the idea anyway.
I FOOLISHLY went for lite clothes and my salomon cross trail trainers for speed. In hind sight a stupid decision as it was minus 25 degrees outside. I should have put my heavier warm gear on for the sub zero temps, but thought go for speed forget the warmth, how I regretted that decision as I got closer to the summit.

We had our 2 main sherpas up there with us screaming abuse and encouragement at us with our head torches on. It is correct when they say due to the lack of oxygen you can only put one foot in front of the other and your out of breath as I tried every trick in the book to get oxygen into m,y lungs as my lungs were simply screaming out for more oxygen where as my legs were fine. At one point I could see that the scouse taffy and the aussie were making a gap between them and me but there was not I could as I simply could not get the oxygen into my lungs and system fast enough, well they are both a fair bit younger than me. At this point Kalden my fav sherpa came rushing down to me and pulled the joker out of the hat, when he got the small oxygen bottle and mask for emergencies and went to put it on my face laughing. That was the kick up the arse I needed.
Approx 300 meters from the summit mark the aussie pulled out with altitude headache, which is meant to be worse than a migraine and can be fatal if left untreated.
By now we had both sherpas with us and both were franticly rubbing both my arms as I really was running on will power and determination as was the scouse taffy except he had thermals on and a proper sub zero jacket. I thought the were going to force me to stop as my arms felt like they were dropping off and I had frost nip on my nose. Its the stage before frost bite jst makes your nose go blacky brown like sunburn.
Anyway we both dropped at the summit trig point and not a word was spoken for approx 5 mins as the sherpas nima who has summitted everest and kalden covered us in them silver survival bags to keep warm as they both jumped for joy.
We later found out that Nimas arch enemy sherpa who also takes everest treks held this for fun record for some of his clients a few years back, who set the record and nima could not wait to get down and let him know we had beat it by nearly 8 mins.
We had a few photos taken up there but to be honest it was so cold like Ive never experianced before ie minus 25 plus the wind shill I was in no mood for posing as I never had the correct  warmgear.
Lesson learnt from today curly,
Dont risk speed over safety as Ive never felt pain like that before, undoubtably the hardest physical thing Im ever likely to try not too mention I had 3 cans of lager the night before as well at that altitude is never a good idea he he he.
One of the girl;s sarah came up as well and did it in approx 1 hr 40 mins, she made me laugh later as nima the main sherpa was with her watching us above her and him and said Im going to have to leave you sarah as that idiot Roy is really suffering look at him beating his arms and rushed up to help me. Them lads are super fit at them altitudes though and certainly know what they are doing.




The pic below was me dead beat trying to smile but in no mood or capable of smiling properly after reaching the top, all I had under that wind breaker top was a help for heroes tshirt and instant idiot just add alcohol tshirt on top of the HFH tshirt.

Below me again on the summit just dead no interest in anything as the sherpas are jumping about for joy shouting smile roy

The peak we did WASNT the big one, it was the one on the left, but this was from approx half way up I would guess, taken on the way down.

 The one below shows us on way down with the aussie in the centre

 

Everest Base Camp Oct 29th

Thursday 26th Oct,

Had to be checked out by the doctor today as this cold just wont budge and at these altitudes its not good, they yadvised I dont go on this climb today but I insisted. We had to acclimatise today by climbing up a further 2000ft. Back home I would do that for breakfast, but when you are already up at 14000ft and climbing upto 16000ft trust me its damned hard and I mean hard hard hard. I was meant to have left this group yesterday and moved on with another group higher up but they had some kind of tragedy no idea what, so I have had to stay with this group now.

Two of the group backed out this morning as they were exhausted and believe me no shame in that as you do just go on raw determination up here, crap nights sleep, colder digs than my gran parties house and thats saying something, you get out in the middle of the night as you wake up thinking your suffocating but its just your body struggling to get enough oxygen in A MASSIVE 53% LESS OXYGEN up here than at sea level.

Me above this morning ready for the climb up to 16000ft, yep Belinda thats a new jacket, its a Mammot shes a cracker isnt she. The fact Im wearing Gloves and a beanie says it all with regard to how windy and bitterly cold it was.

We set off and instantly I knew I wasnt 100% at my best, but wasnt going to jack in. Believe me its hard to describe in terms for you to understand what its like exerting yourself at high altitude and with a head cold and a cough. For instance you simply DO NOT eat while climbing as you cant breathe properly, you dont talk as you cant breathe properly. Imagine a mask thats tight a round your face with a small 3 mil hole in it for air and then jump on an exercise bike, then you kind of get the idea, damned hard to say the least.

The above is after we lost a few more so far up as they started panicing with the lack of oxygen, which left me mark the aussie and glyn the taff and two girls. Both girls were struggling big time and I mean mega big time and thats not being big headed or anything as its just so awkward up there to breathe. Kalken put me at the back behind the girls to give them tonnes of encouragement as they kept wanting to jack in. Fair play to one of them as she is a smoker and has diabetes. She actually in the altitude had forgot to take an insuline shot, fortunately Belinda had given me tonnes of Dextrose High Energy Glucose tablets, one of which sorted her in minutes.

At this altitude me and the aussie were not larking about or anything it was serious knuckle down stuff as the suns rays are extremely strong up there and you have to wear a hat whether you want to or not and the steepness and footing under foot was some of the worst I have encountered. Anyway we made it to the top and in front of these krauts I spotted coming up from behind us, but just to shattered to mess about as any form of exercise kills you. I got an arm around the shoulder when we got down from the lead sherpa Nima and he thanked me for helping him out today as he had used 2 sherpas up taking the others back down,  as he knew I was struggling with a cold and cough, I was quite chuffed with that coming from these hardy bunch.

Like this morning I was larking about with Kalden shadow boxing and after 30 seconds he was in hysterics as I was bend forward gasping for breath, so as he turned around I stuck the boot straight up his jacksie to the amusements of all the other sherpas. 

Im not sure but I think we get to Everest this saturday some time, not 100% as I just took in behind the lead sherpa, head down and put 1 foot in front of the other. Loving it though even though its physically hard going.

PS: The only beer they have is lager and its san miguel and its mank mank mank, but when we got down today when I bought me and Kalden one each it tasted great.

Wednesday 26th Oct, 14000ft

Well Im now in seriously high altitude country now. Have seen a quite a few people walking around with masks carrying oxygen bottles with them. I gave these two little kids yesterday a couple of corgi type cars I had in the digs (if thats what you can call them) and there little faces were a picture as you have too understand this is one of the worlds most inhospitable places on earth too live and life as me and you know it simply does not exist. Lady ga ga xfactor etc is alien to these people. They are cut off from the outside world totally if the sun does not shine as the sun is the only form of electric up here. I picked these 2 little kids who cant have been more than 5 years old and squatted down son there feet touched the ground and then stood back up and did that 3 times, on the 3rd attempt I was totally out of breath. 53% LESS oxygen up here, windy does not come close to explaining it and cold, jesus H mary you aint kidding.
Below is how they transport the meat up here, no need to worry about flies etc as we are simply way way too high for flies and insects,

 

The porters carry absolutely everything, you name it, it goes up like this meat as there are no roads or airplanes this high up, no internet unless the suns out to provide electric as the internet is via satelitte. This place is one extremely harsh barren freezing cold place to live. The kids carry 25 gallon drums of water 6 miles to put in the toilets to allow you to use a pan to flush the toilets with a pan of water, thats if you dont get frostbite first that is, I kid you not.

Took the below shot of this Buddist Monk sat on a hill meditating with the mountain Ama Dablam behind him.

The below is not a cow shed or anything, its actually the house of Kalden our 2nd in charge sherpa who has never summited Everest as he always sits just below the summit at camp 4 as a last gasp emergency get out of jail for climbers who are in danger of death. He was telling me he has lost count of the amount of times he has climbed up Everest to camp4. I said how do you get these dieing mountaineers down then low enough for the chopper to evac them to hospital. He said by a rope until I can carry them on my back down. He is talking about people who have spent upwards of 30,000 pounds for the privilidge of climbing to the summit and he lives in the house below.

 

Me and my boy Kalden below with Ama Dablam behind us. And before anyone says why do I look like jessie james the outlaw, its because the air up here is so dry it dries your throat right out and you get whats called the Khumbo Cough, mixed with all the dust that flies around. However I have also managed to pick up a killer heady cold that down in Swinedon wouldnt be an issue but up at this altitude is an absolute crippler.

Day 6 Mount Everest Hotel

Well today was a absolutely fantastic day. Got up at 5am myself as I wanted to get that killer sunrise shot coming over the snow covered peaks so I had to climb and climb and climb to gain that height and trust me when your sat at home at sea level breathing easily you simply cannot comprehend how hard it is to get oxygen to your legs. Anyway I got a few good shots but not the killer sunrise I wanted.
The below was actually from my bedroom window.

We had breakfast and all the others played safe where as uncle royston went for egg on toast, trust me Doddddddgey out here. The whites were red hot yet the yokes were snotty n cold but I was ravenous and munched the lot down with all the girls in the group borking up ave ittt.

We then set off to Mount Everest Hotel with everyone asking me to go to the back and put one of the slow ones behind the lead sherpa called Dashi some young 20yr old champion runner around these parts as he sets too fast a pace with me behind him. Thats not been big headed because believe me it is a damned slow pace but cos of the altitude your screwed, and everyone keeps asking for him to stop so they can catch their breath. Well the pace was that slow I could feel myself getting into a little paddy as it was like baby steps pace but they all said its more to their speed, only problem is we cant get anywhere at that speed so the main sherpa a 27 yr old called Nima (on my right below) who summitted Everest last year and is some kind of hero in these parts told me to go back behind Dashi (on my left below) again otherwise we wont make it in time.

Well the first 8000mtr mountain we saw was Ama Dablam, without doubt the most spectacular looking one of the lot and more often than not mistaken for everest even though it looks nowt like everest. Got some cracking photos of that baby, me and the Aussie mark who has a Canon Evo 600 that cost him 900quid were blasting away like mad men.

 

Straight after seeing Ama Dablam we saw two other of Nepals 8000mtr giants one of which is the absolute top of the world Mount Everest.Everyone just stood quietly looking as its one of the places on earth you see in your front room with a cuppa tea any day you want, but too have it there towering majestically above you with perfectly clear blue skies really is something else. The other one is Lotse which sits just to the right of Everest.

Everest is sat looking totally insignificant directly above my hat, the little mound. To the right down and up like a little point above my left shoulder is Lotse and right over to the right is Ama Dablam.

Of course they served beer up there yet no one was drinking it as Alcohol and altitude dont mix to well, well no one was drinking it until I turned up that is.Dont worry belinda Ive got a couple of pics of me holding the can, well the aussie has as he backed out. I then took on then challenged our 2 sherpas to a race up and back down a huge flight of stairs for a laugh with a belly full of lager and my hiking boots on. The steps were like them off the rocky film in phillidelfia. The little 20 yr old Dashi hit the top the same time as me but flew back down the bloody things 3 at a time, the local legend came in last.

I then called for a rematch with a load of people watching and laughing at some westerner at altitude with beer in him racing some local champion runner who is only 20. I should of cut my losses as the little shit hit the top neck and neck with me again but killed me going down.

Anyway this is definately the last update until we hit Gorak Shep just near everest base camp.

Day 5 Upto Namche Bizarre 10500ft

Update on the below.
Just went down to the highest pub I have ever been to and there is one more, well actually there is a place at basecamp that sells booze. Anyway Deanno me auld mate, they put me with the aussie as things have being getting a bit competitive you could say, so Im telling him why Im taking a certain shot and he says jeez roy its only a game, I said eh give it a rest mate you lot blame us for everything and your bound to blame me for this as well if it goes pete tong, anyway I had one of them pool nites where I was on fire, shut him up big style.
I then said later on come on lads lets do a runner it will be a giggle to run from the highest pub we have ever being too. Shut you idiot roy at this altitude we wont get 50 yards before we are out of breath and borking our guts up, not to mention it cost 30 quid yes 30 quid for 4 guniess and one lager. So I said to the local barman lets pretend Ive done a runner and youve spotted me. Anyway off I went, I was fine on the flat, but like a thick twat I ran towards our digs which were uphill instead of running downhill, with in 100 yards of going uphill I was dead and this little twat was howlling in hysterics.
Off tomorrow a firther 1 and a half hours up to mount everest hotel, dont get any ideas of granduer, its meant to be run down. But only going up to get some altitude in higher up and sleep back down here at 10500ft before setting off sunday for some seriously serious altitude. Speaking to a zeek hiel kraut tonight who told me he has to spend 5 days here acclimatising as he is suffering big time with the altitude, everyone including him wondered why I found that amusing, a kraut suffering.
1st post
Got up early this morning to set off for a good slog up. Had a good brekkie, lost one due to sickness he is comming up tomorrow. It was a damned hard climb if I dont say myself even though I was right behind the little nepalese guide all the way, tucked in watching his feet. Its the altitude that kills you as you just cant get the oxygen in to your body fast enough so your legs are burning. One of the locals who was one of hundreds who carrys huge amounts upto namche bazaar ie 90kg on his back with just flip flops on his feet when down right in front of me and the lead sherpa. I tell you trying to pick him and his pack up was one hell of a feat. How these little sods carry that weight is unreal. We got to namche bazaar have had a meal and a shower as this is the last main so called town more a trading post type village before we leave for everest on sunday. Have 2 days to acclimatise as a few of the group are suffering with the height. Im off with a welsh lad and an aussie tonight to watch the replay of the rugby world cup 3rd place play off in an irish pub, yep they get them up here as well.
Im absolutely loving it here, you simply cannot describe the views we saw yesterday. Its been raining today and the snow line is approx 300 feet above us and we were told it was snowing at everest today as well. Anyway gotta go gotta get me gaviscon tablest me acid is starting and dont want it to get in the way of my supping tonight.
Belinda Im not getting any text messages from anyone apart from vodafone voicemain text alerts 

Day 4 Flight into Lukla

GOT UP EARLY IE 4AM FOR THE 1ST FLIGHT OUT OUT to Lukla on a crop type spraying plane and I was 1st into the front seat behind the captain. The captain was the twin of the ex brit boxer John Conteh. Got a cracking video of us comming into land on the mountain side with them screaming behind me. Met our lead sherpa Nimo who has summited Everest and he knows ber grylls as gylls mam and dad for some bizarre reason live in kathmandu so he is up in the himalayas a lot by all accounts. Kipped at some place called Monjo. The people here perform super human feats of human endurance.
They carry all sorts up thousands of feet on there backs and the weights are astounding. Some blokes were carrying 10 scaffold boards plus other long lengths of timber on their backs only tied on with rope and have nothing more on their feet than flip flops or sandals and they carry get this 120kg and there is 2.2lb to each kg. They carry it over rope bridges walking sidewards over huge ravines with rush waters below and up to everest base camp because the chopper is broke. All food and everything else comes up on there backs with weights of 90 kg the average. The timber boys are the highest earners getting the equiv of get this 9quid for one trip upto everest base camp and back down a trip of 10000ft and out of that they have to pay for there digs. Ive videoed them so you can see for yourselves. Just awe inspiring as they are smaller and skinnier than even me.

Day 3 Kathmandu Oct 19th

Woke up after a night in slumber land due to lack of sleep I was sparko, which is unusual for me as Im normally a light sleep sleeper. The Hotel is an old colonial hotel in drastic need of TLC as my room smells strongly of damp but is tidy enough with guards everywhere with the old colonial uniforms on and moustache who stand to attention as you walk by them with huge smiles on their faces and always give you a PROPER salute. They clocked my Help for heroes wristband, yes honestly its even known out here and due to the gurka regiment is held in the highest of esteems. They love anything about the British armed forces, although I was informed that it is changing now from the old guard to the new comers, who are in for it to due to the fact that they get a free passport to england.

The bloke with me is actually hotel security who was another one who spotted my HFO wristband however the regular soldiers are everywhere even though its as safe as houses here and everyone smiles and gives you the clasp prayer hand. Even the beggers seem to leave you alone as soon as you leave them alone and even though they have no money are all dressed decent enough unlike them scum out in teneriffe who pester you to death.

The midget below is actually a bellboy who went absolutely mental with me yesterday as I went to carry by big bag upstairs, he carried two of them on his shoulders, not daft me by the way I went in the bar to escape the tip :)

See there is someone smaller than me, and trust me as strong as an ox as well.

We went for a fantastic trip around the city today with a tour guide, I found that there was an aussie on our trip in his 30s with "thank the lord allah, a chip on his shoulder about beating the british, so me and him had a stupid obligatory boys race up some palace that had 350 steps today, neck and neck and both breathing through our noses pretending not to be knackered with our mouths closed ave ittt, ha ha ha gotta be done. Just to piss him off as he is in his 30s I added a year to my age and said Im 50, he he, you could say he was not best chuffed.

The temples here and the city is just one huge paradise for a photographer, I blasted off 200 in 4 hours, I think the aussie beat me as he has one of them huge canon eos cameras with the big lenses.

The tour guide told me that the average wage for a farmer here is $300 a year about 450quid ie 150 dollors to a 100 quid and for a normal worker about $400 ie hotel staff shop staff etc. I asked him what about a doctor or engineer or professionally qualified person university etc and he said, actually roy we are finding that doctors etc are now getting into tour guides nowadays as it pays more money with tips. He said I had heard this countless times but never actually met a doctor myself who had given up his profession to be a tour guide until 2 months ago when one started working for us. I then asked about the price of property thinking it must be peanuts, he said the government has just put a stop on whats called land grab as lots of people were selling to the highest bidder and the average person did not stand a chance as average prices in kathmandu city centre ie highest priced area was 100,000 pound sterling. Most people rent though.

Anyway today will be the last day for a while that I can upload or update this or facebook as we set off tomorrow for the dodgey airport ie lukla a 4:15am get out of bed. 

I have tried updating facebook via text but it fails as its a uk normal number something like 31234 or what ever so I prefixed it with 44 and then tried 0044 and neither worked so seen as 3g is mentally expensive via mobile catch you all from about 18000feet or higher depending on the Glacier up there

Day 2 Delhi to Kathmandu

Sat in sum back st cyber cafe with the worlds dodgest kboard. Ive been to sum dumps in my time and seen sum poverty stricken places but Kathmandu makes South Africas Townships and Cairos slums look like 5 star hotels and I am not exaguratting.
This place is pure mental with traffic and the stench and poverty is everywhere. As a for instance the internet here is 25 rupees per hour and this is an expensive one, there are 121 rupees to a pound.
Got a 4:15am rise thursday morning to fly upto the worlds most dodgey airport. Some bell boy was asking me for a tip in the hotel, he had 1 eye and that was a wonky one and stumps for legs. Anyway I thought he was asking me if I wanted a tea, so I said yeh cheers big fella i dont mind if I do, 2 sugars please and not much milk. I twigged when the whole place burst into hysterics.
Anyway Im off for a wander amongst all the beggers and poverty. Honestly makes you appreciate how lucky we all are when you experiance what Im seeing over here.
Earlier post below.
Had an un-eventful flight from heathrow to Delhi. Arrived delhi 1030am local time which is 6am uk time as 4 n half hours ahead here, no idea where the half hour comes into it from.
Hot like you would not believe here even in this plush airport terminal. Got a 3 hour wait here before connecting flight onto Kathmandu which is another 2 hour flight.
Tell you what theres a lot of Indians over here, bit like being back at honda down in the warehouse.

Day 1, Mon 17th Oct - Heathrow to Kathmandu

Thats it everything that should be packed is packed and anything else I need Ive forgotten. Took the last lot of cholora vaccines which taste disgusting. Took the first of the Diamox ie anti acute altitude sickness tabless. Advises to take them at least 2 days before you go to high altitude to allow it to get into your system. One of side effects is tingling of the fingers and lips, which is what I get after a skinful of John Smiths and the other effect is you pee a lot, another side effect of John Smiths.
Off to the airport now for a 8:45pm flight from heathrow terminal 4 to Delhi, a 3 hour wait for the connecting flight to Kathmandu in Nepal where Iam staying at the Shangri-La-Hotel for 2 nights before flying out thursday morning to Lukla airport the most dangerous airport in the world to land at at an altitude of approx 9500ft where we start straight away on the way upto Everest.
No idea when or if I will be able to update this until I get to Everest base camp where there is an internet cafe or back down in Kathmandu on the return. Takes 10 solid days to get to Everest Base Camp hiking upto 7 hours per day.
See ya...

Great photo with lots of Info on Everest

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Lukla Airport, the most dangerous airport to land at in the world

Lukla Airport Nepal.
The most Extreme and dangerous airport to land at in the world.
You approach it through narrow mountain passes in the hymalaya's finally coming to land on a short runway that runs uphil and is sits dangerously on the side of a mountain.
There is no room for error or to go around again as land to low and you hit the side of the mountain,
over run the runway and you hit the side of the mountain.
It makes for an adrenalin rush to any visit to the area.

WebCam now On Mount Everest

http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/highest-webcam-mount-everest-2101/

Lukla upto Gorak Shep - EVEREST VASE CAMP

Dont be fooled by easy it looks here.
Just remember that there is a third less oxygen in the air up here making even the easiest simple daily tasks 10 times harder to complete. Hence the need to acclimatise for a few days to allow your body to produce more red blood cells to try and carry more oxygen.

Info on what kit to take

I have spent countless day's and weeks reading up on what to take and what not to take on my Everest trip. As I will probably only ever do it the once (maybe more if I can twist the wifes arm, K2 from the Chinese side of the border) I want to make sure I have all the correct kit, BUT without going OTT on the price.
Read any blog or forum or magazine and you are immediately bombarded with countless opinions on what to take and what not to take, what to purchase and what not to purchase.

There is also the option of renting some of the more expensive bits of clothing ie down jackets, waterproofs etc, I decided against this as I have been wanting a good down jacket for a while now.
I narrowed it down to, 2 jackets to purchase.

The Mountain Equiptment Xero. Below        Or the         Rab Neutrino Endurance

I decided to get the Rab Neutrino as it has more water repellant properties than the xero even though neither are totally waterproof, but both will certainly keep you warm. The majority of the outdoor suppliers all recommended the Nuetrino above the Xero.

I also bought the Montane Resolute Smock:

 





The sheer fact that some of the worlds special forces along with numerous SARs Search and Rescue Teams swear by this bit of kit speaks volumes about how good it is. It is waterproof and windproof and has a built in fleece inner. As soon as you put this on you know you have one hell of a bit of kit on that is going to keep you warm and dry in the harshest of extremes.
Boot wise, this is purely a personnel decision and I have had several pairs of boots and at the moment I am taking my:


Scarpa Asolo Flame GTX Mountain Boots 

They have never leaked or let me down despite some punishing use ie climbing in them and also walking through water and peak bogs.

Medicines

You need to speak to your doctor of course, however along with having just about every injection and oral vaccine available including 3 rabies injections which if you are unlucky enough to get bitten by a rabid animal, slow's the effects of rabies down long enough allowing you to get to a hospital and have the anti rabies injection. As you are going to be in such a remote location it may not be possible to get to hospital quick enough under normal circumstances.

Another thing to check out and speak to your doctor about is the only proven drug which helps against Acute Altitude Sickness.

• Diamox = Acetazolamide.

I have it and will be using it, its upto you to make your minds up, again you will find plenty who swear by it and plenty who say they still suffered. Asprin is also proven to help against Altitude Sickness. Diamox however is actually one of the drugs medical staff will treat you with if you actually suffer with AAS. One arguament against taking it with you is if you take it and still suffer with AAS then medical staff have one less drug to treat you with as you are already using it.

• Dukoral

Is another drug to check out with your doctor as it is also claimed to prevent the onset of the infamous Delhi Belly which is contacted by bacteria which it is claimed Dukoral helps protect you against. Again I have also taken this. However you must also use anti bacterial hand wash gels and wet wipes and take great care when eating anything out in Nepal.

Also ensuring that you take and use Water Purification Tablets in any drinking water and water used to clean your teeth. The usual no ice cubes and only fruit that can be peeled and only food that is red hot and if its from a street vendor make sure its an extremely busy street vendor as this is usually a good sign that the food is cooked properly and not left to stand.

One other tip I was given to try and prevent the infamous Delhi Belly was Tablet form Pepto-Bipsol, numerous people swear by taking one tablet before your meal helping to line the stomach and fight any unwelcome bacteria, and one after your meal.

Mount Everest BASIC Kit List

The below is by no means a full and exhaustive  check list of everything you will require,
however it should help you make it to at least Base Camp.
If your luggage is lost on route to Kathmandu you can always buy most things in Kathmandu to replace lost items etc. HOWEVER I recommend that you wear your actual trek boots onto the plane with you as even though you can buy new boots, they will not be worn in and could give you blisters on the trek.

<><> <><><> <> <><><>    <>

Baggage and sleeping Required
Large rucksack/kit bag – no more than 15kgs (a suitcase is not appropriate) 15kg limit is from Kathmandu to Lukla. You can leave clean clothes at Kathmandu Hotels, for your return from expedition- Required
Day rucksack (for carrying sun cream, camera, spare battery and memory card, water bottles etc) - Required
Sleeping bag 4 season (you can hire one from Nepal for $1 per day. - Required
Fleece sleeping bag liner.  - Required
Thermarest. You can
hire one from Nepal for $2 per day - Required
Clothing
Waterproof jacket and trousers Similar to Montane Resolute Endurance or better jacket- Required
Long-sleeved shirt - Required
T-shirts, Base lyers- Required
Fleece - Required
Thermals (for cold nights). Required
Trousers (such as lightweight cargo trousers, avoid jeans). Required
Shorts & swimwear, for kathmandu. Optional
Underwear (light and loose), plenty of socks - both hiking and light. Required
Bandana /scarf (to avoid dust and sunburn) Optional
Down jacket you can hire one from Nepal for $1 per day. Required for sleeping in as well due to freezing nights. Similar to RAB Neutrino Endurance Required
Walking boots (sturdy well worn in hiking boots). Required
Ankle gaiters (use in snowy conditions in the foothills & if compatible with own boots)
Trainers for evenings. Required
Wide brimmed hat for sun. Required
Gloves (thermal lined). Required
Woolly hat (you will need to cover your head in its entirety). Required
Hygiene
Toothbrush & toothpaste, flannel for strip washing, soap (anti bacterial & bio-degradable), shampoo/conditioner (bio-degradable), lip salve with sun protection, antiseptic wipes, vaseline for leg chaff
Razor & cream, sanitary products, shower gel (bio-degradable), travel towel, deodorant, toilet paper/tissues, hairbrush/comb
Health
Vitamins. Optional
After sun / moisturiser, Lip protection. Required
Sun protection (factor 30 minimum). Required
Documents (where relevant, please leave a copy at home with your next of kin)
Passport & photocopy (with 6 months to run from the end of the expedition). Required
Visa. You can get this at Kathmandu airport but better to get it in country of departure Required
Flight tickets. Required
Cash Nepalese Rupees (only changeable in Nepal, dont forget you cant change them back to your currency after leaving Nepal). Required
Travellers cheques (only changeable in Kathmandu)
Credit card (for emergencies only). Required
Travel insurance. Required
Vaccination certificates (not needed as a condition of entry however very useful if medical attn needed in country, originals not necessary)
Emergency contacts (you should be sent these prior to departure)
Other
Camera & spare battery and memory cards, Electric adaptors for charging or solar chargers		Optional
Binoculars		Optional
Sunglasses (good quality with high 100% UV protection). This due to the high UV at high altitude		Required
High energy snacks (tracker bars, dried fruit and nuts, you can purchase chocolate en route).		Required
Contact lenses (bring spare lenses, and glasses in case of dust).		Required
Padlock		Optional
Cord or string, clothes pegs, for hanging your washing upto dry on route.		Optional
Sewing kit		Optional
Note book and pen(s). Toys and photos of your home town to show children in the remote villages on route as they will be mesmerized by your photos and any toys.		Optional
Alarm clock, watch		Optional
Adjustable walking pole rubber tipped (highly recommended. Try to fit into main hold luggage)
Torch (with spare batteries and bulb) head torch recommended. Required
Water bladder 1-2 Litres, plus water bottle 1 Litre. Required A metal water can is recommended as it can also be filled with hot water on the night and used to keep you warm in your sleeping bag. DONT FORGET WATER PURIFICATION tablets
Ear plugs. Required
Re-sealable plastic bags - expeds (for dirty washing & to protect from damp etc)Required
Whistle Optional
Spare boot laces. Optional
Small first aid kit
Acetazolamide (Diamox) - Helps prevent Altitude sickness, Check with GP 1st. Optional Pain killers / Paracetamol (Asprin also aids altitude acclimatisation) Required
Adhesive dressing (plasters) and Compeed blister pads / second skins. Required
Antiseptic spray. Required Dukoral -  Prevents cholera and makers claim it prevents numerous other water borne parasites which attack the human digestive system. Check with GP 1st. Optional
Diahorrea tablets (Immodium or Pepto Bismol) & Re-hydration sachets (2 per trekking day) Required
Anti-histamine tablets (i.e: Piriton) Required
Motion sickness tablets. Optional
Any medication you normally use. Required