Jiri to Everest Base Camp for MNDA

We have decided as a final challenge to end our round the world trip to take on something that has been in the back of our minds ever since we decided to come home via Nepal. We are walking to Everest Base Camp for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) in memory of my mum Gloria Stuart.

We’re going to take on this pretty daunting adventure this April and we are hoping that with everybody’s support we can raise some significant funds for the MNDA to help them fight this horrible disease. So please take the time to read what we will be up to.

If you do feel able to donate to the cause and you have a memory of my mum that you would like to share then please add it in the comments section when you make your donation. It would be great if we can fill it with happy memories and lasting thoughts.

Thanks!

Our Reason Why:

Mum was always my inspiration growing up, she was also my sounding board, my motivator and a great friend. Whether it was our late night discussions over wine and whiskey, our long lunches or longer rounds of golf we always understood each other and were able to talk without fear. I miss her every day and hear her voice and wise consul whenever I have doubts or questions.

Without Mum, Jen and I would never have been able to take this trip around the world so this is our way of saying thank you.

Our Cause:

MND is a disease that attacks your Motor Neurones or nerves to the extent that they stop functioning properly causing your muscles to no longer work. As your muscles stop working they weaken and waste until you can no longer use them.

The MNDA provide incredible support to those who have been diagnosed with MNDA with thousands of volunteers providing their time and effort. The MNDA also work with those suffering to ensure they get as much care as possible through the NHS whilst also increasing the awareness of this terrible disease to the mainstream public.

Our Challenge:

We will be walking in from the very trailhead that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay walked from back in 1953. We drive from Kathmandu to Jiri and then walk all the way from there to Everest Base Camp and back with a quick detour up to the summit of Kala Pattar.

280km up and down the Himalayas
24 day trek of which 20 are spent walking
Average of 14km per day
In 2011 over 33,000 people trekked to EBC but only 318 walked in from Jiri
It is an additional 160km compared to the usual Namche Bazaar to Everest Base Camp trek
It will be an effective 10,000m elevation gain as we cross the valleys – just to get to Namche Bazaar (the usual start point for Everest Base Camp treks)
Maximum altitude reached: 5,545m at the peak of Kala Pattar

Our first donors are Nature Trail Travel and Tours who will be organising and running the trip for us. On hearing what we were doing they offered to donate £30 by reducing the price of the trip. So a huge thank you to our first donors!

If you would like to donate to the cause and leave a message or a memory of mum then please head to our Just Giving Page: http://www.justgiving.com/nickandjenstuart