17/01/2001

Logistics Update

Millennium Expedition travel arrangements

To the Mums, Dads, families and friends of the expeditioners

Just a quick note to make sure no one is left standing at the airport or bus terminal wondering if their family or friends have forgotten about them. Below are listed the arrival details for the expeditioners flying and bussing into many destinations across Australia. We are unable to post individual names with this list for the same reason that the airlines are unable to. This list is merely for you to double check the transport details that your expeditioner left behind with you.

*Webmasters Note: The Melbourne flight number did not come through in the email from Kate.

If there is any confusion please double check your details and contact the airline.

See you at the bus terminal or airport soon!

Kate Chandler
Logistics

15/01/2001

Special Report

An attempt on Tharpa Chuli

The following is an account of the climb/trek of two of the groups involved in the Millennium Expedition for Young Australians. It was written in the days trekking south from Annapurna Base Camp back to Pokhara, by myself, Bruce Poon, Expedition Leader.

14/01/2001

Expedition Update

Gidday from Nepal.

By the time you read this most of the groups will be on their way back to Kathmandu from various project and adventure sites around Nepal. The expedition is entering the last part of its experience here, the going home. On the way no doubt many other experiences exist and will contribute to the overall bank of memories and learnings that each of us will bring home to Australia.

For some, like Groups 1 and 2 down in Royal Bardia National Park in the far south west of the country, that means at least 18 - 20 hours in a bus or three to get back. They are currently on their way back now with a stopover in Pokhara to the west of Kathmandu. The journey will see them ride from the very flat Gangetic plains through the Chure and Middle Hills to reach Pokhara in the foothills of the Annapurna Himal ('himal' denotes a range covered all year in permanent snow and ice, 'Himalaya' (the emphasis is on the second syllable, not the third) denotes all the Himal ranges together). On the way they will see a huge variety of cultural and ethnic groups, from the strong Indian influence around the border to many around Pokhara whose ancestry can be traced back to Tibetan and Mongolian stock.

Pokhara itself is the second most common destination for visitors to Nepal outside Kathmandu. It is less-chaotic than Kathmandu, a lot closer to the mountains (yet a lot lower at 884m opposed to about 1300m above sea level) and a great place to start one of the many treks that emanate into and around the Annapurna Himal. It is also a good opportunity for the expeditioners to relax and take stock of just exactly what they have been through over the past six and a bit weeks.

Pokhara will also host the groups that went into the Annapurna Sanctuary, those being the climbing groups Groups 3 and 7 as well as the trekking group Group 6. They will also take advantage of the sights, smells and tastes of Pokhara on the way back to Kathmandu. All are well after their difficult foray into the incredible and challenging Annapurna Sanctuary. I will try to give you some idea of what it may have been like for these groups up there. For a start, you are camped at around 4000m (roughly twice the height of our highest mountains) on the edge of a glacier, that is a huge piece of moving ice and rock several kilometres long, a hundred or so metres wide and many metres thick. The rest of the landscape around the camp is frost shattered rock.

Above you, if it isn't snowing or clouded in, soar the incredible, ridiculously steep slopes and peaks of the Sanctuary. To your south, standing like guardians to the chasm like entrance to the Sanctuary, are the peaks of Hiunchuli (6441m) and Machhapuchhare (6997m). To the west rise Annapurna South (7273m) with Fang (7647m) more to the north. Continuing around the compass points, some hidden from view, are Annapurna I (8091m), Roc Noir (7585m), Tarke Kang (7193m), Gangapurna (7454m) and Annapurna III (7555m). Just being amongst these giants is an awesome experience.

Group 5 have finished up at Bhaktapur and will have time to explore that medieval town, one of a number of ancient city states of the Kathmandu valley. The lack of vehicular traffic in the middle of town helps to preserve this history. Many claim this town rivals Kathmandu for architechtural and cultural interest or importance. Certainly the members of this group will see many things the like of which just do not exist anywhere in Australia. A function to celebrate the work that the expedition has done at the ECCA site outside Bhaktapur will be held in Kathmandu of the 16th, the day before we fly out. We congratulate the three different sets of expeditioners and staff who worked really hard over the course of the expedition to get this job done.

Group 4 have finished their womens health clinic and follow up community work in the remote hill country to the east of Dolalghat (itself east of Kathmandu) and are headed towards Dhulikel, a town with many interesting cultural and religious attractions close by. Dhulikel is also a popular spot to view the Himalaya, although with little rain in the last four five months, the lower atmosphere (below 4000m) over Nepal is thick, dusty and full of smoke, making far view from down low almost impossible. After spending a couple of nights there they plan to head into Bhaktapur and from there into Kathmandu itself.

Group 8, after completing the collection and sorting of its amassed arachnids, helped out fabulously with the moving of Base Camp to Kathmandu, a long and strenuous process. Thanks heaps guys, especially since a fair few of you were carrying more stomach bugs than all the spiders put together. After helping us into the Scout HQ, Group 8 have taken off this morning towards Dhukilel to experience that side of Nepal. They will be back on the 15th, as will most of the other groups.

You must remember that is it the middle of winter over here (hard to believe when you have been going through 40 degree plus days) and most of us have experienced temperatures to below minus 10 degrees or lower (plus wind chill). This morning in Kathmandu, for example, there was a good frost on the ground, and it was not until 10 o'clock or so that we were warm enough to take off the third jumper and replace the beanie with a hat. It does warm up during the middle of the day however, especially when you are walking up a really steep section with a heavy pack on your back. Once the sun disappears behind some mammoth ridge or mountain then it really cools off quickly and you are changing from shirts to thermals and thick jumpers. Only down in Bardia were temperatures summer-like. No doubt a big acclimatisation process awaits us back home as we step out of the airport.

Well, that is about all we have time for now. We hope that you can all make it to the airport (or bus station) to welcome us back. If we have time we will send another update in a couple of days, if not, see you all soon!

Ant Mair
Expedition Manager

12/01/2001

Expedition Update

Gidday All,

Well, Base Camp is on its way out to Kathmandu with Group 8. The move took suprisingly little time, we arrived in Besisahar by 1.00pm, and without the drama of the move in (a process that ran 5 hours late and had us arriving in the dark).

We started early in anticipation of things running less to plan than to chaos and, as usual, were surprised. After the sick and injured had hauled themselves out of their tents to participate in phase one of the haul out we moved a good deal more than we thought we would by the end of the first afternoon. Phase two would call in local reinforcements.

Mind you, it was a rather unreal situation to discover that instead of 5 porters you thought you had organised, 20 arrive before six thirty in the morning and that 7 of them are below the age of 8 years old! Enthusiasm aplenty, each grab a collection of bags and assorted camp chattels and head off for Khudi and the road(?) head. By the time they have loaded themselves up, not much more of them shows from behind than a pair of bare or thonged feet. 'Packs with legs' is probably the way to describe most of them. We continue to be humbled by the strength, skill and endurance of these amazing people.

We had a fair bit of stuff left over after all this time here, stuff that we did not really want to haul all the way back to Kathmandu, much less Melbourne, so a distribution among the locals was organised. One of the most interesting scenes ensued as mothers, elders and children debated who should have what. We had stipulated that various groups, such as schools and mothers groups, around the valley get certain things or amounts of food. This aside the next priority goes to the local hamlet who allowed us to use their land as our base camp. Market day in base camp is a fair approximation of the next half hour as a reasonable amount of stuff simply disappeared into bags and headed up into the hills.

We have heard from the climbing groups recently, they have abandoned their attempt to climb Tharpi Chuli due to continuing and worsening bad weather. They reached Annapurna Base Camp (4095m a.s.l.), setting up their own camp on the side of a glacier! A few members were reported to be feeling the altitude and the rest discovering a new found respect for mountaineers and big mountains. The trekking group also made it up to ABC and the three groups will make for Pokhara for a days rest at the end of the trek.

Groups 1 and 2 will head back from Royal Bardia National Park, again to spend a day in Pokhara en route to Kathmandu. The work in the Park with the Blackbuck has been completed and the scientists will use the data collected to form the basis of a management plan to be passed onto the Nepali authorities.

As yet, nothing has been heard from either the Bhaktapur (5) or Dhulkilel (4) groups though none was expected due to the lack of comms in these areas. We will hopefully get something soon as they come out tonight or tomorrow.

Take care everybody, we will be home soon after some more adventures on the way home. Travel is like that, half the fun is just getting there and back!

- From all the staff and expeditioners on the Millennium Expedition.

Ant Mair,
Expedition Manager

09/01/2001

Expedition Update

"Namaste" from Nepal everyone

We are within our last two weeks of the expedition and there is a definite sense around the camps of trying to live each day for what it offers, not for something that exists in the future. Yes, we are all looking forward to seeing all of you again, but for many this will be the first and last time they will be in Nepal, so we are trying to live each day for the pleasures, challenges and learnings it alone possesses.

The phase is about half way through already and the projects are nearing completion. We are working hard to plan the last part of the expedition so everyone and everything gets back to Australia in one piece. Base Camp will be moving out of the Khudi Khola in the next couple of days, an exercise in hauling lots of gear down the river to Khudi and from there out to Kathmandu.

The project teams will arrive in Kathmandu on the 15th, have the 16th to look around Kathmandu itself and exchange all those hard earned dollars into genuine Tibetan artefacts made in Hong Kong to bring back to Australia. Actually there is a lot to see, do and learn in Kathmandu and all are keen to make the most of this time. That night we are all off to the Embassy for a function with the Ambassador. Early next morning the great majority of us will be off the to airport to get on a plane to Singapore. At Singapore we will transfer to a range of flights to bring us back home. See you then.

Next update in Kathmandu...

Ant Mair,
Expedition Manager

06/01/2001

Expedition Update

Phase 3, Day 4

Greetings from Nepal

All the groups are out on the final phase of the expedition. So far, the expedition has gone extremely well with much good science, community work and adventure to be had around Nepal. Even the recent demonstrations, riots and nation wide general strike did not slow us down for long. No Australians were in any danger during this civil unrest though some of our Nepali staff were detained and pushed around a bit before being released on explanation that they were with us!

New Year celebrations were very special with pyrotechnics, puppetry, dance, song and theatrics combining to create a memorable evening. We hope you all had a safe and happy New Year as well. Ours was certainly one to remember.

The weather continues to be kind to us with only one or two light showers to dampen the run of fine, clear, though at times very cold, weather. At this time of year, the nights down low can be chilly while at altitudes above 2000m can easily get below freezing. Most of the treks so far in each of the phases have climbed to at least 4000m, some above 5000m, where overnight temperatures with wind chill have taken the mercury to below -17degrees.

Our understanding of the country and its people deepens with every day spent out there in it. Many expeditioners have come to a better, and deeper, understanding of the landscape and how it has shaped the culture that is here today. Certainly our appreciation of the Sherpas, cooks and porters has increased throughout the expedition. They are truly a special breed of people, loyal, generous and hard working, they have taught us as much as they have done for us.

Our heightened appreciation of our families, friends and country is all too apparent as you sit around the camp after a hard days work or trek. Sometimes you have to move away from what you have and what you are to appreciate it all. All of us are looking forwards to getting back with loved ones and telling of their adventures. Be prepared for epics of courage, discovery and tribulations as they relate their time over here with you all.

Be patient, they have done much and done it well.

To all of you who have sent mail or parcels (those that have arrived that is) thank you very much, you have done wonders for the morale of the group. Many over here have sent letters which may or may not arrive before we do (or at all) so keep an eye out on the postbox.

Certainly all of us over here are fitter than we used to be, the hills are amazingly big. Most of the treks have gone to elevations double that of Mt. Kosciusko and they are only hills (Nepalis classify mountains as those over 7000m!). Stone staircases appear in the strangest, most remote locations. They are the most amazing things to walk up.

Anyway, look after yourselves. We are thinking about you and look forward to seeing you soon.

Ant Mair, Expedition Manager
Khudi Base Camp

29/12/2000

Expedition Update

Firstly, some of you may have heard of rioting in Kathmandu on 26-28 December. We don't know what is being reported, so here is a summary:

Derogatory comments, attributed to an Indian actor, about Nepalis have triggered rioting and general anti-Indian feeling in the Kathmandu Valley primarily in pockets of Kathmandu itself. The Indian actor is vehemently denying them. 4 people have been killed and 7 wounded by gunshot. The trouble was expected to be over by the evening of the 28th; and as we write we expect that this is the case. Transport and shops have been shut down, and there was a general strike yesterday (28th).

Foreigners have not been targeted, and as usual in Nepal are left alone at such times, the locals recognising that damaging visitors is going to damage their future. We have one group in Kathmandu that confined themselves to their hotel, and came out today (the 29th). The building site group traveled through Kathmandu safely today and are in Base Camp.

The troubles are confined to the Kathmandu Valley, and then only some parts of Kathmandu. The Expedition is quite safe, and there is no need to worry. We only bother to mention it here in case you hear it on the grapevine somehow - apparently it hasn't made the news back home at all.

All but one group have all come in from Phase 2 in time for our big New Year's Eve bash. The official ceremony will be a surprise to all, and a tribute to some of the staffs' creativity

Base Camp
Graeme Kent & Greg Andrews were left in Base Camp for 2 days when Group 2 left for NEPA (see below). It was a quiet time preparing the surprises for New Year's Eve. Graeme went up to a local school to attend their anniversary and returned laden down with flower garlands that probably added a half hour to his descend.

Group 1
The womens' clinic and work in the leprosy hospital was the most successful medical clinic yet. The group isn't back until tomorrow, when we will hear all the details.

Group 2
The group should have moved straight to Dhading Besi, where the NEPA clinic is. Instead they ended up in Kathmandu in time to be confined to their hotel (self-imposed!) for the rioting. On the 29th they moved out of Kathmandu to Dhading Besi, hopefully in time to catch some of the NEPA work.

Group 3
Work is continuing steadily, the walls are a third of the way up and they have also started on the roofing. There are still more bricks to carry, and to complete the labouring they have dug out a large area for a playground to boot!

Group 4
Didn't get to Mimi Pokari, but descended very quickly to return to Base Camp a day early. They had a fantastic walk, the reports of the country meaning that we will probably base ourselves in that valley next year. They never did catch up with group 8. The guys did very well, and had some altitude sickness and the usual gastro troubles, but no serious conditions. All are well back here now.

Groups 5 & 7
The work with blackbuck continued as reported before. The new thing to add is that the locals have been waxing very lyrically about our efforts, and are getting quite put out at each group leaving!

The planned change to Parsa Wildlife Reserve (next to Royal Chitwan National Park) for Phase 3 won't happen, due to some conservation vs. locals political issues. The good news in this is that we can send 2 more groups to Bardia to continue the work. This will consolidate the work already done, and make for an excellent proposal for future management of the blackbuck and the area in conservation terms generally. In turn, we can repay the locals for their hospitality and warmth with this work.

Group 6
Not much to add since the last report, the group is back in Base Camp with more spiders than you would care to see in a lifetime, especially the big one with what looks like 10 legs - the front two being its fangs!!!

Group 8
The group also didn't get to Mimi Pokari itself, and are all back safely but very weary and suntanned. Much the same applies as for Group 4, it was much the same walk in the end.

A very Happy New Year from all the Expedition to our families and friends back home, and to any other interested readers of this site.

Greg

25/12/2000

Christmas Update

We are half way through Phase 2.

We have heard that the Carols by Candlelight short we did for TV arrived too late; sorry if you tried watching every news channel back there! Christmas Day out here is very different, certainly the only decorations are the few things we have hung over a tree, and there is no hype whatsoever.

Base Camp

Group 2 are in Base Camp, and for once beat some of the staff out of bed and were sitting around our tree waiting for all to be up, so the presents could be opened - just like being 7 years old again! Luchan (film crew) has joined Graeme & Greg in Base Camp for a few days, so we had a large family for Christmas. A mix of presents was handed out by our Kris Kringle system, mainly food, although we also had a Mickey Mouse keyring, a rather interesting book that has proved very popular reading (let's just say it has pictures of an old Eastern text) and a turtle massager. As I write we are waiting on the group to return from buying Chrissy dinner ingredients in Beshisahar, and they have 5 minutes before Graeme & Greg eat all the popcorn.

Group 1

The actual town they are in is Lalghat. Other than the exact location there was no news, which means the womens' clinic is going fine.

Group 2

Will move out of Base Camp on the 26th, to the NEPA eye clinic at Dhading Besi. Yesterday we climbed up 1200 meters, mainly up rough steps, to a school to repair their damaged furniture. We found they had already doe so, and made several classrooms worth of new seats. We sanded down some bench seats, and in 15 minutes had destroyed the sandpaper. And they'd also like new school built...something for next year, perhaps?

The group will also take the survey details they have done of the cropland in Poltari, the village just downriver. This will be used next year, for helping them construct irrigation - they have none.

Group 3

Work is continuing steadily, and they expect to have the walls up by the end of this phase.

Group 4

Have ascended the ridge up to Mimi Pokari, and are just in front of Group 8, although neither has run into the other yet. We will be interested to hear about the original route; it was marked as being as obvious as the Annapurna Trail, but apparently is hardly there at all! The report on Christmas Day said they were having a standard dhal bhat but with custard for dessert, for Christmas dinner. They have walked up high enough to see the lake.

Groups 5 & 7

No new news - the project continues.

Group 6

Have a fantastic campsite just out of Ghan Pokara. The locals have gotten into the spirit of things and have been bringing in not just spiders, but bugs of all sorts. One old woman came in with a bundle in her dress, sa down, opened it up, and out poured around 100 daddy long-legs type spiders! She madly tried to gather them back as they crawled all over her. She even tried getting them in the collecting jars, all with limited success.

The group has been walking higher each day, taking samples by a variety of means. They have so many thay are going to descend to Base Camp over the next couple of days, gathering as they go. They will probably be at the school above Base Camp for the big anniversary bash on the 27th.

There will be a wealth of material to bring back for the Museum.

Group 8

The trek to Mimi Pokari has pased its zenith, and the guys are heading back, having seen the lake.

A very merry Christmas from all the Expedition to our families and friends back home, and to any other interested readers of this site.

Greg

22/12/2000

Expedition Update

To find out which group your son/daughter is in, please call or e-mail the Duke of Edinburgh Office in Melbourne. Phone: 9412 6685 or e-mail dukesvic@infoxchange.net.au.

Phase 1 is completed and everyone is now 2 days into Phase 2. We had a rest day and then a preparation day for Phase 2. Spirits are high everywhere.

We had a Carols by Candlelight on the 19th, before everyone left, so we had some sort of Christmassy thing together. A local village came down the mountainside to visit, lit by torchlight. It made an eerie scene as we were signing about the 'herald angels' at the time! They gave us a few local songs and dances, Santa came along, and we did a bit of filming for TV - watch out on the news in the coming days.

Group 1

Are in a leprosy hospital down near Royal Bardia National Park, working with Nepali doctors on a womens' health/medical clinic. Travelling there has taken 3 days!!, so they have only just arrived/

Group 2

Are in the luxury of Base Camp, doing a mix of:

• a medical clinic,
• teaching in a very poor village's school,
• mapping out the same school's area and reseaching data for the village's irrigation plans for next year,
• researching foot problems in the surrounding area, with the view to gathering enough information to allow podiatary clinics/work for next year's expedition - feet are the main mode of transport in Nepal!
• and maybe doing a similar survey for eyes,
• and finally, going up to a local school and repairing their furniture. The 3 girls who went into Beshisahar to buy the hammers, nails, etc necessary for this have just returned in the dark as I write. It is a 2-3 hour trip which everyone hated on day one; now we do it as a matter of course.

In addition we entertain the locals that are constantly coming to visit, we have a school anniversary to attend (the same school that we are fixing furniture for), and some of the staff are preparing a secret New Year's Eve surprise.

Group 3

Are at the building site at ECCA, in Brahkatpur. The foundations were laid in Phase 1 (thanks Group 8, only 8 strong) and now it is time to start on the walls, and carry more of those @#$%ing bricks up the stairs. The Nepali way of building without any defined plan makes it interesting.

Group 4

Started a trek to Dudh Pokari (milk lake), but after 2 days found that the maps and the track were unreliable. They are now ascending a ridge to go to Mimi Pokari, another lake in the same region.

Groups 5 & 7

Are both at Royal Bardia National Park, or more accurately a village about 30Kms away from it where the blackbuck actually are. Their days consist of:

• observing blackbuck & noting their movements, actions, interactions, etc,
• counting the illegaly grazing domestic animals,
• pulling out a toxic weed that the blackbuck sometimes eat, and
• surveying the local people.

We have been very well received by the locals, who appreciate the efforts of the groups in working towards protecting the blackbuck, the last naturally-occurring herd in the world - of 44 animals. Werribee's Open Plains Zoo in Melbourne, where one of the Project Managers works, has a bigger herd!

Group 6

Are in the hills and ridges above Base Camp collecting spiders and doing surveys of the ground, for sending back to the Queensland Museum. Here in Base Camp we managed to bottle a species we haven't seen before; our own little project.

Group 8

Are out on a trek to Mimi Pokari, and presumably will soon meet Group 4. Group 8 started out heading for this lake however, so are on a different route.

We have had a few sprained ankles and several bouts of nasty gastro, but these are the most serious conditions. They are also what we would expect in this sort of environment!

Greg

20/12/2000

Expedition Situation Report

Each of the groups has recollected at Base Camp for rest and recuperation on the 18th and preparation for Phase 2 on the 19th of December.

It was great to see everyone back fit and healthy, apart from a few minor illnesses collectively known as 'Nepal Belly'. There are also a couple of sprained ankles which will unfortunately see a couple of people confined to slightly less energetic work for a few days.

It was also great to hear all the stories from the group members of heroics on the treks and in the mountains and fantastic stories from the science projects and community work.

Groups 1 and 5 finally returned from their climb on Thorong Peak. The maps in Nepal are not that accurate and we are still unsure of whether the height of the mountain is about 6000 or about 6400 metres! After very hard walking for about 7 days to reach the mountain, a base camp and then a high camp were established. From there, our climbing leader, Shambu Tamang and 3 Sherpas led 4 of the expeditioners to a safe ascent of the summit. They did not stay long as they had also to retreat from the summit quickly before the winds blew them off! It is winter here and the cold was tremendous, perhaps -30 degrees.

Lower down, unfortunately a number of our expeditioners became ill with Acute Mountain Sickness and had to descend. One person in particular suffered the more advanced symptoms of AMS (HACE) and became quite ill. Fortunately the Expedition Manager and Trek Leader, Anthony Mair, was on hand and he carried the person down the mountain on his back. All the expeditioners recovered quickly at lower altitudes and the party set off on the long walk back to base camp. They arrived on the 18th to a heroes welcome.

The trekking group (group 2) led by Greg Andrews were beset by difficulties at high altitudes. The 6 porters arrived late and did not catch up with the group on the first day. One of them also suffered Kerosene burns later when the containers of fuel leaked onto his skin. Dr. Choi was on hand to attend to all of the injuries and to the minor niggles and exhaustion of the expeditioners. Above 3000m, water became scarce and the group had to eventually abandon the original circuit route and retreat back down onto the Annapurna Trekking route, and from there back to base camp. The group worked hard but recovered at lower altitudes and walked confidently back into camp looking very satisfied with themselves!

Groups 3 and 4 were at Bardiya and working on conservation efforts for the remaining 44 Blackbuck (antelope). They did a lot of hard labour in the fields pulling noxious weeds, digging waterholes and undertaking observational studies. The group interviewed the local villagers to survey attitudes to the antelope and were surprised to find a lot of positive responses. The locals were delighted that so many 'westerners' had taken an interest in the Blackbuck and at a Mayoral reception in our honour he said that 'you are like gods to us'. High praise indeed!

The groups under the direction of Jennifer Allan and Miranda Wills have begun to put together a management plan for the species and the park and we will present this to the local authorities when it is complete.

Groups 6 and 7 were conducting a medical clinic in Dhading. Dr. Griffiths and Woolhouse were incredibly busy and saw hundreds of patients between them. They were frustrated at the large number of chronic problems that were presented where we could offer no help at all. Happily, there were also a number of acute medical problems diagnosed and fixed, almost certainly saving lives.

The expeditioners had less to do directly for the clinic and so busied themselves with helping out the local community in other ways. They attempted to construct a map of the area for sanitation purposes and also undertook to fix the furniture at the local school and teach English there to the local kids.

Group 8 were at the building site in Bhaktapur and beginning the building work on the Kitchen and Dining Room for ECCA. Celia Symonds the Project Manager on site really cracked the whip and the rest of the crew 'threw bricks and dug holes' dawn to dusk by the sounds of it. The foundations of the building is completed now and we have moved a lot of stone and bricks to the site in preparation for the next group putting up the walls.

Locally, we have established contact with a local training centre who work with the villagers in this area to improve their lot in life. They have identified a village near our base called Politari which consists of 67 families and has been assisted over the last two years with basic training in First Aid, Midwifery, Animal Husandry and the like. They have been picked out because they are some of the most marginalised and disadvantaged people in the area, officially designated as 'The poorest of the poor'. We have agreed to help them build a community centre building on their land and we hope to come back next year and help to irrigate their land. They have their own community council and credit coop, and it is encouraging to see them helping themselves to escape the poverty cycle.

Over the last couple of days everyone has been together again at Base Camp. Apart from the normal routine of washing clothes and self, exaggerating stories from the projects and generally socialising, two nights ago we decided to have an early Christmas in Nepal and do some carolling. A Nativity Scene, Christmas Tree and decorations were made and the whole group got together to sing carols and send our best wishes back to Australia on a tape. We hope this tape will be picked up by one of the TV stations and played after the news or something like that.

As we sang 'Hark, the heralds, Angels Sing', a row of lights descended slowly from the sky into camp! It was the villagers from Politari coming over to visit us and trekking down a path over the nearby hills carrying torches and lamps. Men, Women and Children watched us curiously as we sang (badly but happily) and then we let them take over as they entertained us with music, singing and dancing. The sherpas and staff joined in and we saw some unexpectedly funky moves!

Yesterday was back to work as we hauled a resupply of food from the local village into camp and then worked all day to get ourselves ready for the next phase. Everyone got packed and ready, and this morning saw a steady stream of groups heading in all directions out to work.

Group 1 is heading to a Leprosy Hospital to perform medical and community work. Group 2 is operating from Base to help the local village of Politari and also running some medical clinics in the local area. Group 3 is heading off to Bhaktapur to erect the walls. Group 4 and 8 are trekking, both heading NorthEast from Base Camp heading to the 'lakes area' high in the mountains. Group 5 and 7 are heading to Bardiya and Group 6 are walking in the local area to collect spiders at various altitudes.

The film crew are doing a great job of covering activities as well as helping the staff where they can. The expedition photographer, Jodie Kremer, is also taking photos aplenty. Yesterday she took publicity shots of many of the expeditioners and we will be sending these home to be used by the local papers.

It goes without saying that the local staff, the Sherpas and cooks are doing a great job and without them we would be lost. Our Sirdar, Kaji Sherpa, is a small man but makes a huge contribution. Anything overlooked by us is picked up by him.

We are trying hard to keep up our reporting as well as type in emails written out by the expeditioners. It is not easy as we don't always have the time or battery power to get it all done.

Please, Please don't send us attachments with your email as our satellite link is very slow and expensive. We recently received a large attachment with a lovely sentiment but it cost us hundreds of dollars in satellite time to receive and it took our batteries out several times before we made special arrangements to collect it from town (where we could operate off town power).

I think everyone here is looking forward to a special Xmas in the hills and the (real!) Millennium party shortly after that. With all of that, they are also thinking of home and loved ones at this time of year. From all of us in Nepal to all of you, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Millennium.

Bruce Poon - Expedition Leader

13/12/2000

Expedition Update

We have just completed our round of contacts and situation reports for tonight.

Group 1 and 5 (the climbing group) have been SUCCESSFUL in putting 4 members on to the top of Thorong Peak (about 6000m). The expeditioners who summited were David Mence (on his Birthday), Vadim Dale, Daniel Pritchard and Dr. Peter Sargeant. Congratulations to the whole team who got them there. The group is now moving back along the Annapurna trail to base camp.

Group 2 climbed a minor peak called Sundar Peak (4350m) today and will be moving back along their track to base camp starting tomorrow.

Groups 3 and 4 are at Bardia and the projects are progressing well by all accounts. A break is planned for Friday to visit the 'touristy' part of the park and see / ride the local elephants.

Groups 6 and 7 are conducting a medical clinic in Dhading and reported for the first time tonight. They are all reported to be well and the project on track.

Group 8 is at the Building Project site and we heard news of them today. They are doing well. Gita Bolton fell while on Navex and has a sprained ankle. She was transported out of base by stretcher party and is with her group at this site. It is unlikely that her ankle will be recovered well enough to trek in Phase 2 and she is likely to remain at the building site to help out there.

At Base Camp Graeme Kent has built a 4 star shower facility and is entertaining the locals with his drawing, jokes and kite building.

We have received many emails from parents, friends and relatives and selected highlights have been passed on where possible. We hope to find enough battery power on this PC to have them all read when people are back in Base Camp in 5 days.

Bruce Poon - Expedition Leader

12/12/2000

Expedition Report

The climbing groups are proceeding well and despite some mild altitude sickness for a few expeditioners, they are proceeding with acclimitisation walks and getting ready for a move up the mountain. We have comms via satphone with this group every night. A re-supply of cash was required for this group as prices on the Annurpurna trail have skyrocketed of late.

Group 2 is trekking and reaching quite high altitudes. We sent for some porters from Kathmandu and they are also on the trek, though poorly equipped. We will need to buy some more warm clothing for these chaps before the next phase.

A couple of groups have made it down to near Royal Bardia National Park and we have yet to hear from them of their science work. Another couple of groups are out doinga medical project but we have also yet to get a situation report from that site. One group is at the ECCA building site, no report yet.

The few remaining staff at base camp are taking it pretty easy at Club Med Khudi Khola. Graeme Kent has already installed a miniature 6 hole golf course and is threatening a bowling alley!

The film crew have got a lot of material in the can already and we are hoping to send some back for Xmas greetings if possible.

We have tried to send out a number of email messages but many expeditioners cannot remember the correct address to send it to. Correspondence to expeditioners can be emailed to satcom761274067@bigpond.com

Our postal address is Name, C/- Sea to Summit Trekking, PO Box 3043, Pipalbot, Bouddha, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Bruce Poon

7/12/2000

Update from the Millennium Expedition

During the 3 day walk, we had many cases of exhaustion and colds developing, but nearly everyone is well again now. The views of the Annapurnas and the Manaslu Himal made it all worthwhile.

Today is a rest day and the groups are preparing to move out to the first phase sites. These include the building site near Kathmandu, the wildlife surveys in Bardia and the medical projects in the local area. One group will be going trekking for the next ten days and will be walking out tomorrow morning.

Everyone is looking forward to the first phase out by themselves, and we are all wishing the climbing group well.

The next update may be delayed, as we try to recharge the batteries on this computer.

Bruce Poon - Expedition Leader

3/12/2000

Expedition Update

Today is the second day of training and the expeditioners have been trained in Comms, Navigation, Emergency Procedures, Leadership, Nepali, Science Work, Hygiene, First Aid, Base Camp Duties, Packing a pack, etc.. Tonight we will all be preparing for a 3 day training exercise moving into the surrounding hills. Groups 1 and 5 will be leaving tomorrow to climb Thorung Peak to our NW.

There are a number of excellent trekking routes away from the main trails. Base camp is an excellent site near a river (Coudi Khola).

The relationship with the locals is excellent and everyone is awestruck by the Sherpas. We are all looking forward to getting on with the work in the upcoming phases.

We are all thinking of those back home. Some mail left from Base Camp today.

This update has been typed on a portable PC at Base Camp and transmitted via email via satellite.

Bruce Poon - Expedition Leader

2/12/2000

Expedition has set up camp

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