In the Himalayas
What's it going to be like?
The Himalayas is one of the most breathtaking arenas in the world, literally physically and visually. Braving these tough and diverse conditions to get 22 fit players to the plateau for the record attempt is a priority, but not at the expense of the local environment.
Intense climate
Our trek takes us from sub tropical conditions at 2200m above sea level, through alpine conditions, into the snow line, and eventually above the tree level. Temperatures will range from a very humid 35°C to clear, biting -10°C.
We'll be at the same latitude as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Northern India, and constantly operating under intense sun. However, as we get higher into the Himalayas, temperatures will gradually drop. Staying comfortable is difficult. One minute you sweat under the heat of the sun, the next you turn a corner to be faced by an icy glacial wind, stripping you of your body heat.
Once the sun has dropped below the mountains at around 5pm, temperatures plummet well below zero. It is essential to reach evening accommodation by 4pm at the latest. Needless to say, nights are bitterly cold.
Despite trekking during an 8-week clear weather window, there are still regular short but intense blizzards. Weather can turn quickly as storms roll up the valley. Lower down the valley this can mean tropical style rain, but higher up it means hail and snow. These blizzards are so thick that visibility can be reduced to just a few yards.
A few facts about the Himalayas
- The Himalayas is a mountain range in Asia that stretches across Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Tibet.
- Himalaya is Sanskrit for 'Abode of Snow'.
- It's about 2,400km in length and is made up of 3 parallel ranges - the greater Himalayas, the lesser Himalayas, and the outer Himalayas.
- Over 30 peaks of the range are higher than 7,620 metres (25,000 feet), with the world's highest mountain, Mt Everest standing at 8,850 metres (29,035 feet).
- Mount Everest sits across the borders of Nepal and Tibet.
- Sherpas are an ethnic group from the mountainous region of Nepal, but the term is also used to refer to local men, who are guides for mountaineering expeditions in the Himalayas, usually Mount Everest.
- The most famous Sherpa is Tenzing Norgay who was the first to climb Mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary.
- Gorak Shep is a frozen lakebed covered with sand that is at 5,165 metres (17,000 feet) up Mount Everest.
- The village is the final acclimatisation stop on most treks to Everest base camp.
- Gorak Shep translates as 'dead raven' in Sherpa language.
The environment
Our aim is to make sure that the Everest Test makes as little impact on the environment as possible. Please explore our sustainability policy complied by our environmental expert Tom Sharland. link to sustainability policy