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Everest Marathon - Nepal 2007 Medical Report |
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2007 Race Report – A Run in the Clouds Everest Marathon 2007 – Medical Report
Mark “Baz” Barrowclough provided a brilliant mixture of sage wisdom mixed with periods of vaudeville theatrics. He was a good medical partner in the mighty Yellow group, kept a cool head in all situations and made us all laugh a lot. Michelle Jeffrey had a lot of experience from previous expeditions and appeared at home at all times on the mountain. She and Darin had an infectious optimism and sense of humour which was as important as their clinical competence. Their knowledge complimented each other well and they were a pleasure to have on the team. Darin “Bohemian Rhapsody” Seiger stepped into the medical team at a weeks notice and used his considerable medical expertise to form a formidable team with Michelle. He, myself, Helen, Jamie and James spent a night none of us will ever forget at Gokyo having to use the recompression chamber. His medicine was better than his singing but, sadly, that didn’t stop him. Don’t give up your day job yet, Darin. John “Chopper” Rogers trekked in jeans, had a Toys R Us sleeping bag and his emergency kit seemed to consist of a large can of antiperspirant. He was on first name terms with most of the helicopter airmen in Katmandu after organizing two helicopter evacuations. He was a delight to have on the trip and was as tough as old boots. Ula Heywood joined us from New Zealand. She had a stuttering start which meant that she missed the delights of Gokyo,but she returned for the trip up to Gorak Shep and clearly enjoyed the trip. She was voted by the Newcastle guys in the yellow group as second in the “Doctor I’d most like to sleep with” competition, narrowly missing out to Baz. Draw your own conclusions. I felt disappointment at the higher than usual casualty rate but am pleased that there were no long term casualties. When I last heard, nearly everyone had stopped coughing. Thanks to the team, the leaders who I think were exceptional this year, and the runners who realised we were always doing our best under difficult conditions. Dave Buckler
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The medical team was six strong this year. The team performed well and was tested more than in previous years. There were three evacuations from the mountain and considerable problems with bowel and altitude problems.