Expedition marks 200 years of service
In early May 2015, during the 200th year of Gurkha service to the British Crown, an eight-man team of serving Gurkha soldiers aims to summit the world’s highest peak in their homeland of Nepal.
In conquering the 8,848m mountain, which is an icon for Nepal and the Brigade of Gurkhas, they will be the first serving Gurkha soldiers to reach the peak, climbing in temperatures of -25°C, with the threat of frostbite, altitude sickness and avalanches to contend with.
The expedition Exercise Himalayan Odyssey is one of several events being organised by the Brigade of Gurkhas to celebrate their two-century association with the British Army.
The team was announced at a special launch event held at the Royal Geographical Society in London. Climber Lance Corporal Dhan Prasad Ghale (pictured right), Queen’s Gurkha Engineers, was delighted to be chosen, saying: “I was honoured to be selected. I’m really, really excited about this opportunity to climb Everest, in my homeland.
“This project started two years ago, and we are selected from 80 people at the start; now we are an eight-man team. My family are really, really proud of it and proud of me.”
The 26-year-old Gurkha, who originates from Gorkha in Nepal, added: “One of the biggest challenges we face is altitude sickness – 4,000 metres above is really hard because of the low oxygen level in the atmosphere – it really hurts!
Loyal to a fault
In traditional military fashion, the expedition seeks to develop the leadership, courage, teamwork and determination of its soldiers. LCpl Ghale said: “It doesn’t matter how fit you are, it’s about how your body can cope with the altitude. So, it makes hazards on the mountain and the technical aspects more challenging.”
Team leader Captain Dick Gale, Queen’s Gurkha Engineers, who has considerable experience in the Himalayas including previous Everest expeditions, said: “I’m massively excited about the expedition. The Gurkhas are loyal to a fault. They enjoy what they do and are extremely hard working alongside it. They are the ultimate mountaineers.”
The team, selected from the brigade’s six units, has been whittled down to eight, plus a reserve team, during a number of training expeditions, which took them from North Wales, Scotland and Austria to 7000m up Mount Makalu in the Himalayas in preparation for the expedition.
Capt Gale added: “I do have a relationship with Everest. I’ve not quite put that one to bed yet, although this is the ideal opportunity. But, more so, it’s climbing with a great bunch of guys up on this iconic mountain.”
Visit www.g200e.com to find out more. Follow the expedition on Twitter @G200E