ADVANCE PARTY DEPARTS FOR NEPAL

On 17 March, a small advance party flew from Heathrow Airport to Kahtmandu. They will smooth the way for the arrival of the remainder of the Teams in just under a week's time. They will also ensure that all of the expedition equipment has cleared customs and that our trekking support agency are prepared for our journey to Base Camp.

EXPEDITION LAUNCH ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY 16 MARCH

The formal expedition launch took place at the Royal Geographical Society on 16 March and was kindly sponsored by Logica CMG. The event provided an opportunity for the expedition members to thank all of the sponsors, without whom we could not have made the expedition happen. The audience, were addressed by the Service Patron, General Sir Sam Cowan, the respective Team Leaders and the Head of the Expedition's Higher Management Committee, Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge.

INDEFATIGABLE TRAINING WEEKEND OCTOBER 2003

The final formal training weekend took place at the Joint Services Mountain Training Centre on Anglesey in October 2003. This was the final opportunity for the Expedition Leader to get all personnel together for final briefings and issue of equipment. The weekend also allowed both teams to practice casualty evacuation techniques under the watchful eye of the Service Patron, General Sir Sam Cowan.

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JOINT SERVICES ALPINE MEET 2003

The Joint Services Alpine Meet in Chamonix afforded both Teams an excellent opportunity to work in small groups under technically challenging, steep Alpine Conditions. All expedition personnel that were able to attend were put through their paces and great emphasis was placed on spending as many nights as possible away from the comforts of the Valley bottom.

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PEAK DISTRICT OCTOBER 2002

A weekend in October 2002 afforded the opportunity for members of both teams to get together, start planning in earnest and discuss equipment and training plans.

JOINT SERVICES ALPINE MEET SUMMER 2002

The Joint Services Alpine Meet 2002 allowed an opportunity for members of the Teams to climb together in the Saas Fee region of the Pennine Alps in Switzerland during July/August 2002. Excellent weather meant that some quality training was carried out and a large number of 4000m peaks climbed by some quite challenging routes.

NORWAY MARCH 2003

The first major training event took place in Norway under the watchful eeye of the staff from the Joint services Mountain Training Centre. An excellent package for both Teams and Reserves included avalanche search, snow structure, navigation, ice climbing and cross-country skiing. Additionally, the Teams had the opportunity to practice building and sleeping in survival shelters and snow holes. The bulk of initial training took place close to Lillehammer, which was then followed by an expedition further North in the Rondal Area.

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SELECTION WEEKEND

The selection for both teams took place at the Joint Service Mountain Training Centre in Anglesey, North Wales in October 2001. There, two interview panels had the unenviable task of selecting the Teams. A great many people, with quality backgrounds attended the selection and alas only 14 could be selected for the Makalu team and 12 for the High Altitude Development Team. A pool of quality reserves was also selected during the weekend.