EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT & FOOD

 

Over the coming weeks you will be able to keep track of the equipment that we are ordering and details of the suppliers.
You will also be able to follow our progress in dealing with freight and customs procedures (which can be quite complicated) on arrival in Nepal.

BSME 2004 - FOOD
Introduction
As the food member I would like to share with you some of the issues that I have been dealing with during the build up to the expedition. On completion of the exped, my team-mates may want to share with you how they have subsequently dealt with me! “First seek local knowledge” with this in mind, I phoned all the Extreme Altitude climbers that I knew and attempted to gain their wisdom on the topic of food. Their tips and advice formed the basis of the estimate that I conducted in order to perform the functions of food manager to the best of my ability.
Estimate (Military planning process usually conducted on back of fag packet)
End State
Arguably where do we want to be after 3 months - Well, we want to be back in UK still friends and having climbed the mountain. So what? I have to ensure that the team is sufficiently nourished to achieve this aim.
Influencing Factors/Constraints
  1. Tastes/preferences - I concluded that there was no consensus of opinion on specific products therefore no right answer. In short, at altitude people's tastes are fickle and I will invariably get it wrong. - So what? – Ensure broad choice.
  2. Effect of Altitude - Alot of time and energy is expended carrying rations high onto the mountain only to be left uneaten and carried back down. This is largely due to the increasing inability and desire to eat large quantities beyond 7000m. So what? – Beyond 7000m whittle food quantities down. I need different menus for different heights.
  3. Calorie content - A failure to compensate for the 5-6000 calories expended each day will result in the team rapidly becoming exhausted and unable to carry out the essential tasks. The nature of the individuals involved means that they would battle against their lethargy, which could ultimately result in a dangerous situation on the mountain. So what? Must ensure high calorific rations. Must ensure that on high camps where body cannot eat calorie drinks must replace energy.
  4. Weight restriction - There are several aspects to this. The first is that I have a freight restriction from Kathmandu to base camp which cannot exceed 400kgs. The second aspect is the physical ability of the individual to carry food up the mountain. So what? Save weight by eg. removing packaging and using lightweight foods.
  5. Conclusion - The rations must have the following characteristics:
    • Broadly popular – cannot please everyone so nothing adventurous
    • Highly calorific
    • Lightweight beyond 7000m increasingly so
    • Emphasis on drinks at higher camps
  6. Outline Plan - Having considered the above, the underpinning ethos will be to climb high using basic lightweight food and to recover at base camp.
  7. Detailed Plan - There will be 2 distinct food groups – those for climbing and those for recovering back at base camp.


Packing the Equipment at Stafford

Climbing rations
These will based on UK ration packs as they are proven (albeit much maligned) cheap and readily available. They will be augmented with drinks and snacks to increase the calorie content but getting significantly lighter beyond 7000m. There will be Camp 1+2, Camp 3 and Camp 4+5 menus.

Camp food - aimed at recovery and morale.

Summary
This has hopefully outlined the thought process that I have gone through in the last year or so. I have not detailed the contents of each Camp menu but suffice to say those of you in the Military who have spent several months on compo you will understand how monotonous it will be regardless of any niceties!

We would like to thank the companies below who have assisted us with the equipping & provisioning of the expedition.
High Five Sports Nutrition
www.highfive.co.uk
HB Climbing Wales
www.hbclimbing.com
Páramo
outdoor clothing with a difference
www.paramo.co.uk
Tog 24 Clothing
www.tog24.com
Complan
Complete nourishment when you need it
www.complanfoods.com
Thorlos
The Mountain Boot Company
www.mountainboot.co.uk
Cotswold
Outdoor - Action - Travel
www.cotswoldoutdoor.com
Marlec
World leaders
in renewable energy technology
www.marlec.co.uk


Marcolin - Cebe Sunglasses
www.marcolin.com / www.cebe.com
 
 

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