Ducati Monster Forum

I know some have said it already elsewhere but I just wanted to put it out there to say.
Good luck Big T with your up coming adventure and the Worlds highest mountain bike ride.

We hope those neatly waxed body parts carry you on a great adventure and a safe return.

Cheers
Matty...

Yeh Big T look after your self and what ever you do :o

Hi All (For those of you who I haven't bored with my story yet)

Well the time has come for me to head off on another little adventure. On this Monday 21st July I head for Muztagh Ata (7,546m / 24,902 feet) in the Tibetan Himalayas to have a crack at the Guinness World Record highest altitude cycle. I am attempting to carry a full size mountain bike to the summit (no Sherpa assistance allowed) and ride for a distance of 20m. I have been training for the last 12 months for this and you can see a short video and pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/26503291@N03/2638884250/in/set-72157605512754666/
 
The current record was set by Siegfried Verheijke, Luc Belet (both Belgium) and Martin Adserballe (Denmark) who rode their mountain bikes at an altitude of 7,008 m. (22,992 ft.) on the slopes of the Muztagata peak (same mountain) in the Xinjiang province of China, on August 11, 2000.
 
The adventure begins in Islamabad (Pakistan) and we then travel up the Karakoram Highway through the Khunjerab Pass to Tibet and set up base camp at Muztagh Ata. My first aim is to break the existing record of 7,008m and then have a crack at the summit at 7,546m.

Will be away for 6 weeks so shall see you all in September...... Looking forward to some recovery time on my return on the Monster back out on the highway with you all....  [moto]

Don't think I'll see to many Dukes in the back blocks of Pakistan / Tibet....  :'(

"Only those who will risk going to far can possibly find out how far one can go" TS Eliot...... But Big T would have said it if TS Eliot hadn't...  [thumbsup]

(http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_2_210.gif)
 

Good Luck mate, don't forget to put the trickle charger on!

 
Better still Big T you can leve her in my garage id love 2 look after your virgin seat  [evil]

That's amazing, all the best for the trip T, is there an admiration smilie?

Holy snapping turtles Batman!

I'm not sure whether to be amazed, or jealous, or what!  That would be an amazing trip even without the bike.
All the best T.  Have a great time. [thumbsup]

Sounds huge Trev. We will both be sending you positive energy.

(http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_7_5.gif)

Best I could come up with DosVerde

Good luck BigT!!! Hope it all goes well, looking forward to some very interesting stories when you get back!

Z...

What could possibly go wrong?

My thoughts exactly Zee........

why in the bloody hell are taken a pushy when you could ride a multistrada all the way there then un pack the pushy ride it around the summit pack it up ride home and be back in time to say too charlie boorman beet that , na just joking i wish you the very best and above all stay safe and look forward to your storys and pics, best regards bazz  [clap]  [clap]  [clap]  [clap]  [clap]  [clap]  [clap]  [clap]  [clap]  [clap]  [clap]  [clap]  [clap]  [clap]  [clap]   [clap] [clap]  [clap] [clap]  [clap]

something tells me you'll be wishing for leg hair upo there!

Best of luck!

Spider

Best of luck Trev.   [thumbsup]

Good luck Trev.

Buy me a present.  [thumbsup]

Why pedal when you can have a perfectly good motor (Vtwin  ;)) do the work for you??? [thumbsup]

Good Luck and keep safe, my 2 Tibetan Monk dogs are contemplating their navels for you  ;D.

I reckon Big T must stand for Big Treddlie?? [thumbsup]

I see if I can get a very lovely hairy Yeti virign lass. At least she will keep you warm at night......  :o

MMmmmm might have to add one to my virgin collection....  [roll]

Holy crap. The scariest part is probably going to Islamabad. You might need to keep a good hold on your bike there.

Good luck with it and I hope you don't get blown off the summit.  [thumbsup]

Onya T, Golly, you must have some big balls  [thumbsup]






                                        Mmick

more like BIG TESTICALS [laugh]

Big Titanium Testicles Treddlie Trev..... Works for me.... [popcorn]

(http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_2_210.gif)

thats three too many t,s tool will be on to you again   [bang]

Hope you have heated hand grips on the pushy Trev? ;D

Good luck mate on your special trip. [thumbsup]

I have one question:

Has anyone notified the news papers????


Rob

no point, Britney has a custody hearing on Friday - priorities please!

now if Trev climbed the mountain and rode Britney for 20 meters....well THAT could get the world's media interested.

I wasn't always this cynical - I was an infant once...

Hey Spider I would do "anything" for my 15 seconds of fame.... Even Britney..... Might have to put a paper bag over her head though.....  :-\
(http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/1/1_4_67.gif)

Big T - good luck mate, and stay safe. [thumbsup]

[laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

Trust you guys to work something like this into every thread. [thumbsup]

Trev! the lads told me last night about what your doing, wholy sh!t!! Awesome mate! Go for it & best to you! - Chris

Hey all. Huge thanks for all your words of encouragement.....
Well just finished the second pack and weight in. 84kg of gear to go.....
I have a 70kg special over weight allowance so still looks like some excess baggage fees...  [bang]
Couple pics of the majority of the gear.
2 more sleeps and counting.
See you all in September....  [thumbsup]  [moto]

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2681409419_51c14339fc.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/2681409569_66dc7aea12.jpg?v=0)

(http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_2_210.gif)

hope that front rigid fork is Ti...is it a Sibex?

get rid of the rear brake and lever! you won't need it up there for the 20 meters.

Hey Trev you forgot about the red undies, they make you go faster.

Hey Big T you could also remove the seat,That will also stop you from falling off  :o [cheeky]  [laugh] [laugh]

heres big t last atempt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNwmpLPhoHw

Remember the Chant mate. "I know I can, I know I can , I know I can." [thumbsup] [clap] ;D

We are all glad Trev's only riding 20mtrs [thumbsup]

But just in case Trev do you want me 2 look after you Monster while you are away  ???

Geez this one dropped pretty quickly down the list.

I know a couple of you guys are being kept up to date with Trev's little adventure, but I haven't seen it discussed on here. Anyway (very, very briefly) Trev is in full acclimatisation mode, this has involved:

- days in a bus travelling treacherous mountain passes
- crazy drivers on even crazier roads with crazier still conditions
- belly bugs (majority of the team including Trev effected)
- first trek and climb and camp-out

S'pose I could post up the full update from Trev's sister if anyone is interested in all the detail.

blood oth [thumbsup]

Good luck, man.

Don't forget the key for your bike lock.  [thumbsup]

OK guys I have had an email from Trev's sister and she is happy for me to post up her email updates. I have just received her 5th one, so I will post them all up. They are quite long, but read them if you are interested.

UPDATE No. 1 (Wed. 23rd July)

Hi All,

First exciting phone call came late last night with the great news that all Trev’s gear turned up on the same conveyor belt in Islamabad - not bad given the combined hazards of hordes of pilgrims + the Pakistani baggage retrieval system!

The 10 hour flight Sydney to Bangkok had its moments – pilgrims’ elation and singing caused another passenger to lose it (shouting obscenities, giving a piece of his mind about Catholic priest activities); flight attendants earned their keep in calming him down.  Then Trev began to go from feeling queasy to quite ill by the end of the flight.  Thankfully 2 hours in Bangkok alleviated that.

Next leg of B’k to Islamabad was only 4 and a half hours and uneventful.

The team: 6 flew in from Sydney; 4 had already been in Isl for a few days.

Composition 3 females, 7 males.

Extremely fit Sydney Margaret (from Ama Dablam trip with Trev) on this climb too.

After getting to bed in the early hours of Tues morning, they were all pretty zonked yesterday.

Tues morning – gear check, then briefing.  All went very well.

Apparently Soren is confident of a generator at base camp and a shower… “we’ll believe it when we see it” sprang to mind for Trev & Co.

Islamabad (I)

Arvo exploring I.  Built 1960s by Greek architect; made up of 16 or so squares, each a community within itself, shops etc. so no real centre of I.

Trev and others went to market in their quadrant.  They were the only Westerners!  Felt quite safe.  One of the team is very blonde so rather a

centre of attention…   

Then went to lookout in mountain range behind I.  Overlooks a massive mosque.

When building of the 4 big towers of the mosque commenced, the good old CIA thought they were missile silos… 

Weather is hi 30s and very humid, so they can’t wait for the mountain cool.

Head off at 5am by bus today on the Karakoram Highway. It’s their bus exclusively so guess they won’t break the local record for people+luggage, even with Trev’s gear!  12 of them in a 24 seater (and theoretically with air con) should mean a modicum of comfort to catch up on a bit of sleep.  12 hour trip today, then 8 hours tomorrow, then a 2 day side trip of acclimatisation trek to 4500m… but more on that later.

UPDATE No. 2 (Fri. 25th July)

Phone call last night, after 2 days of bus travel on the Karakorem highway. 

16 hours on Wednesday - 450ish km through gorges, dodging huge trucks, avalanches, potholes; tyres on the very edge of the road, looking down at the swirling river below.  Last couple of hours were in the dark - the team debated for quite some time whether this was in fact a good thing or a bad thing!

8 hours on Thursday - more down in the valley this time.  Still steep, but more open - very green, irrigation, corn crops.  Quite a few stops.  One unscheduled, when a bag fell off the bus roof - can you believe someone actually noticed it at the time??  And it didn't fall over the cliff.  And they managed to retrieve it.  Favoured by fortune today, that's for sure.

Delhi belly has hit (or should that be Karakorem c--ps?)  4 people so far.  Trev is suitably accepting that it will hit them all at some stage.  Pretty hot still, but less humid.  Mornings and afternoons nicely cool.  Getting familiar with their luggage routines, and getting used to food.

They're very happy about the next 2 days of stretching their legs, going up the valley and into the mountains, camping in tents overnight, walking out next day – their first acclimatisation exercise. 

At the end of the weekend they should reach Muztagh Ata, so excitement about that is blossoming.

Cheers,
Sandy

STOP PRESS:  SMS very early this morning  “I spoke too soon.  Me and another have been hit by the bug.  That now makes 6 out of 10 who have been hit in 2 days.  Sick Trev.”

UPDATE No. 3 (Mon. 28th July)

Great to hear Trevor sounding bright last night, despite 2 very torrid days and nights.  8 out of 10 of them have now been hit with the bug.  Pakistani minder got it too, so not just reserved for foreigners!  Trev got the nasty version; some others the mild one.  He hit the antibiotics but still had to face the two days of trekking and climbing, including some serious bonding with the “loo”, no eating, plenty of aching joints.  Amazingly he and Malcolm (similarly ill) managed to reach the 3,900m point of the team goal of 4,200m, but they passed on the afternoon mountain climb!  Next day’s descent was 1,700m in one day – certainly all about acclimatisation.   Trev resumed eating gingerly on Sat night.  Now at Sust and “living in luxury” – a hot shower and shave for the second time in a week.  Feeling stronger every day.

Next BIG hurdle has been overcome – they were permitted to pass from Pakistan into China - though not without drama.  3-fold Chinese check-point process by army personnel, many quite young kids. 
First checkpoint: Unload everything off top of bus.  32 duffel bags of equipment – half opened and searched thoroughly.  Fine tooth comb of all printed material.
Second one: Everything out of the bus.  They pulled panels off the bus, checked underneath it, scoured the engine bay, even ripped one woman’s pillow apart just in case...
Third one:  Unload ALL bags… again… this time the Geiger counter was set to work.  Trev’s bike box (suitably battered by now) put through an X-ray machine.  At one point they proceeded to pile bags on top of Trev’s bike box, so he gingerly asked them to stand it up.  They did so, but with the UP arrows pointing DOWN – he quietly demurred!   
The group all succeeded on Rule Number One: maintain patience and sense of humour through all this… unlike the bus of American tourists behind...

“Welcome to China, Land of Opportunity” greeted their Chinese minder who will accompany them for all the rest of the trip.  Noticeable difference - excellent roads and infrastructure compared to Pakistan.  Chinese treat Pakistanis like dirt.  Trev found P a beautiful country, lovely friendly people, will do anything for you.

To get there they crossed the very high Khunjerab Pass, deemed one of the most impressive engineering feats in history, taking 20 years to complete.  They walked one kilometre along this pass.  Now they are into huge sweeping valleys, with small plots, buildings, and traffic dropped off to about a third of before (left behind most of the huge trucks of felled timber headed for Islamabad).
Mountain cool now.  Weather has been fantastic to them.  No heavy rain or wind.

Next update hopefully from Muztagh Ata!!!!

Cheers,
Sandy

UPDATE No. 4 (Wed. 30th July)

Somewhat breathy call from Camp 1 just now.  Trev has today taken his bike up there – to 5,300m – so needless to say he was pretty knackered. 

Back-tracking to Monday: arrived at the turn-off from the highway to base camp; then a 12k hike in, while elevating 700m. 

The usual funny-buggers with the bureaucracy – “your paperwork is not correct”; Soren sweet talking big chief didn’t seem to work; finally late afternoon the group decided to set off together with the two Pakistanis high altitude porters, leaving Soren (together with all their passports!!! – a big no, no, but what choice do you have??).  A distance into the walk, a motorbike and 4 wheel drive came screaming across the plain, throwing the 2 porters in the back. 

Short story is that after the big boys had satisfied their power trip that day, the group+Soren+porters were all reunited and finally reached base camp.

Tuesday: up to 5,000m on an acclimatisation climb then back to base camp.

Trev unpacked his bike box that day!!!!  Very battered exterior, but amazingly bike was all OK so he had his first ride at 4,430m but “I didn’t ride very far”!

Phone line was a bit erratic, but I’m pretty sure he said he did wonder at times what on earth he was doing with a bike up there…!!

At least it provided much spectacle for the locals – on bringing it out, he’d have 10 porters holding it up for him…

One guy, John, who had been doing poorly, took a turn for the worse.  Putting him in the gamma bag (portable decompression chamber) improved his condition, which indicated he had AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) or altitude sickness.  Definitely no risks to be taken there, so his climb is over.

Today, Wednesday, was their first load carry day. 

So we leave Trev with his bike, sitting in the sunshine with hardly a cloud in the sky… a very well-earned break.  Then down again to base camp later today.

Tomorrow up again and stay the night. 

UPDATE No. 5 (Fri. 1st August)

Weariness setting in.  Only Marg (from previous Ama Dablam climb with Trev) has avoided the bug – go the cast-iron stomach!

Yesterday (Thursday) up to Camp 1 and spent the night there at 5,400m.  All gear outside; 3 people squeezed into each tent; that plus higher altitude meant not much sleep at all.  Today’s aim was load-carry up to Camp 2 at 6,100m.  Trev only managed to carry the bike to 5,800m – well when I say “only” it sounds like a mammoth undertaking to me. Altitude effects setting in - headaches, loss of appetite, burnt to a crisp (despite sunscreen), Trev’s hands have swelled, eyes blown up…

Up-side (you’d surely need one!): magnificent panorama from that vantage point; weather holding up very well so far.

Arriving at Camp 1 yesterday, one of those double-take moments: Trev noticed about 20 metres downhill a guy carrying a bike!!!  He’s Lithuanian, has a specially-built ALL titanium Russian-a-la-aerospace-built bike weighing 7kg.  Talk about the push/pull of camaraderie/competition!!  They had a great chat, many pics – he carries the bike frame strapped to his backpack, and uses the two wheels as walking poles - neat.  Turns out he’s there with his girlfriend, but she has altitude sickness so she won’t be able to be the required witness of his record attempt, which he plans to do tomorrow (if I heard correctly) given that the weather is predicted to change on Sunday.  This is the 5th time on the mountain for this guy, but he’s never yet summitted.  Glug - bit of a reality check.

Landscape: steep, rocky ascent from Base Camp to Camp 1, which is on the edge of the glaciers that blanket the upper 2,000m of the mountain.   From Camp 1 they commenced climbing in the shadow of the mountain – rock and ice; very, very steep; crampons working well in solid ice; very cold.  Then once into sunshine and slightly less steep, beautifully warm but snow and ice turned to mush and very hard going in a different sort of way!

Current plan: tomorrow (Saturday) a rest day, then a couple up the mountain, couple of rest days, possibly push for summit.  Strategy now becoming increasingly critical.  Exhaustion = rest day/s.  But not too many, or lose momentum and fitness/acclimatisation.  Weather obviously also the big unknown. 

The magnitude of the task Trev has set is hitting.  He and Soren have decided the best strategy seems to be to aim for breaking the record on the same day as summit day.  The record is 7,008m currently, so aim is 7,100m - that’s THREE times to repeat what he achieved today, and at increasing altitude, and trying to ride at the end!!! 

[I presume this means that riding on the summit has now wafted up to a ‘cloud dream’.]  If and when Trev+team+bike reach 7,100m the others will try to pad a 20 metre bike path in the snow and Trev will do even more panting.  Don’t miss the movie… 

Summit day at this stage is possibly around a week’s time.  Trev is certainly one fit and determined person!

Have a great weekend everyone, and rest up for the next week’s gruelling read…

thanks betty for the updates  [thumbsup] you should  write the book  [laugh]

Bazz, Trev's sister Sandy has done all the hard work (well, Trev has been doing a bit too). I just copy and pasted.

Thanks Sandy

UPDATE No. 6 (Sun 3rd August)

LATEST UPDATE FROM SANDY:

Last time – Friday - we left the bike on the side of the track at 5,800m and Trev about to head down to Camp 1 (5,400m).

The next 24 hours Trev said he ‘crashed and burned’ and was virtually ready to come home...  The cumulative effect of exhaustion, hugely tired legs, his hands & face peeling, even the inside of his lips were peeling, making eating and drinking horrendous.  So lack of food, drink and sleep (last night’s 4 hours he described as good) finally took their toll.  He said he had expected it to happen at some stage.  So the rest day yesterday was extremely timely.

He had a good session with (leader) Soren discussing strategy.  Tomorrow they head to Camp 2 (6,100m) through ice falls which are heavily crevassed.  For Trev, the physiological toll was also reflected in a psychological one.  Since he climbs behind the rest because of carrying the bike, his mind was playing havoc with the thought of him being stuck on the mountain on his own overnight.  He will now carry a radio for any necessary contact, plus a GPS to track the route, in the event of heavy snow or a white out, in which case he will ditch the bike.  There will also be an emergency tent left at each camp from now on, for Trev or others to use as necessary. 

The next day they plan to climb as high as they can – aim 6,800m Camp 3.  Then descend to Base Camp, a mere 2,000m, where the first 1,000m is snow and ice, and the second 1,000m is scree [small, loose, broken rock at the foot of a high cliff or glacier – hard work and, because of the incline, a risk of further landsliding].  Trev should be feeling fine after this moderate day!!!!

Then 2 days rest, followed by a night at each of  Camp 1, 2 & 3.  Then a summit attempt …  weather permitting…  [That’s about a week from now; just thinking about it is exhausting…]

So after the big downer, Trev said he felt physically good now – still some headaches, but not too bad.  Rest of the team?  Deb is suffering from quite severe headaches, and Jamie is not good, seemingly a chest infection.  John has picked up since last bad report. 

[Must be so hard to retain an accurate assessment of things – the old tricks of altitude.

I saw a program recently where they studied how climbers could function at a level of oxygen considerably BELOW that for patients in intensive care on ventilators, who were close to death.  Apparently the acclimatisation process allows/’trains’ cells in climbers’ bodies to operate on those much lower amounts of oxygen.  But there’s no guarantee… This expedition is also a fascinating study of limits.  Trev hits what he thinks is his limit, is knocked down, then blasts through it… to face the next one...]   

It had just started snowing before Trev rang - light, gentle flakes...

PS  Trev said that every few days seems he can get mobile reception, so SMSes are welcome.

UPDATE No. 7 (Wed. 6th August)

More climbing up the mountain, where the last 300 metres with the bike took Trev 4 hours of really, really hard slog.

During the night at Camp 2 a relentless snow storm brought fears of being marooned there.  Plus both their high altitude porters became sick overnight.  Miraculously the storm stopped at 7am, so they set off down a mountain bathed in powder snow.  The sun came out at the top of the ice falls – light, shadows, reflections, colours, bringing the most amazingly spectacular part of the trip so far.  Theirs were the ONLY tracks on that whole, huge mountain…  with crampons or snow shoes, often knee deep in powder snow, with that edgy mix of exhilaration/trepidation.  Sinking down to the waist in a snow drift could just mean heading into a crevasse… so walking poles were heavily in use to avoid rather a shock.  At the bottom of the ice falls, there were also two huge crevasses to skirt around, then the last 1,000m of scree down to Base Camp.

Now 2 very welcome rest days - with more strategy discussion, this time at the really pointy end of the expedition.  Team is reduced to 7 and only one porter.  What now is sensible and achievable?  The original bike aim is outside of the realms of possibility now.  Yes, with 2 weeks of acclimatization it might have been more feasible for Trev. But certainly not now, given their tight timeline.  All part of the learning experience, says Trev.

So he still aims to have a spot of fun with the bike in the snow.  Says he’s feeling the best he’s ever felt on a mountain.  After an exhausting last week he had his best night’s sleep yet (6 hours) and he’s forcing himself to eat reasonably.  Their routines are now set up, clothing sorted (how many layers to wear), very prepared for the next goal of summitting, for which there are two alternatives for the last part:

–         overnight at Camp 2 again, then straight to the summit from there = a twenty!! hour day

–         or Camp 3ish and then summit, over 2 days.

His final message: a huge thanks for SMSes – they were a real boost.

Here’s to upwards on 8/8/08.

UPDATE No. 8 (Sat. 9th August)

In one of those amazing juxtapositions in life, there were a number of TVs being fired up, about to be launched into Olympic Opening Ceremony fever, and I was 5 minutes away from leaving for a black tie wedding (for which we've travelled to Melbourne), when Trev rang to transport us herel to Camp 1 of Muztagh Ata!

Needless to say, they're all suffering increasingly from the accumulation of such ongoing demands, but are buoyed up now by the excitement of summit day approaching…

If all goes to plan it will be:
To Camp 2 today, with a touch of final fun with the bike along the way.
Camp 3 tomorrow (Sunday).
Monday morning – an alpine start (3 or 4am) and head for the summit.
All the way back to Base Camp on Tuesday.

Trev crossed paths again with the Lithuanian (bike) guy.  He summitted last Sunday – his 5th attempt - so a big cyberspace yaaay for him!  He left at 8am; got to the summit at 5pm; stayed on the summit for 2 hours, and reached Camp 3 again at 10am next morning.  He had managed to ride his bike (didn't catch what altitude) but only for 10 metres, due to foggy conditions and deep snow.  On the final day, he was also with an Indian guy, who didn't manage to summit – he turned back at what transpired to be just 40 metres from the summit!!!  The mixed blessings of mountaineering.

Currently the weather is a bit finicky  - rain at Base Camp; snow and foggy mornings.  Trev had a frequent cough as he spoke; said that's normal altitude stuff for him.  Asked me to have a glass of superb red wine and some delicious food on his behalf.... I just had to oblige, and savoured it all the more, and hope it speeds him on his way... 

There's still a hell of a slog in front of them, he says... 
He greatly appreciates all the SMSes...
Hopefully the rain staying away from Beijing last night is a good omen for that region of the world...
All our VERY best wishes and hopes for him are out there in abundance...
And all our crossable body parts firmly into action...

Close but no cigar

The weather turned bad.  No-one summitted.  But Trev still has his fingers – a greater achievement than any summit, by my call!
 
When they reached Camp 2 the weather turned, with heavy wind and snow, -10 degrees; cleared at 8am enough for them to climb to Camp 3.
 
They managed their wakeup call at 3am this morning, to leave at 4.
It was -15 degrees INSIDE the tent, without the wind-chill factor.
All headed up the mountain.
There was soft snow, not frozen ice which would have helped.
The wind-chill factor was -20 degrees.
Within the first half hour Kane turned back; rest kept going.
Trev and Deb bailed out an hour later.  Both were suffering badly from the cold – Trev’s fingers and Deb’s feet and hands.
In the dark they made it back to Camp 3.  Aside from the gravity of the situation, sounds like they could have made a great Monty Python version of their attempts to remove crampons and climbing boots with no feeling in their fingers.  Trying to grab and untie Deb’s shoelaces a major undertaking…  Finally they got her in her sleeping bag with hands under her armpits and Trev trying to massage her feet from outside her sleeping bag – helped his fingers to some extent too, he said.  Next task – Trev to do the same in his tent.  Would have been impossible for him by himself, but fortunately already-returned-Kane was sharing his tent, so together they faced the same slow and tortuous routine.
 
2 hours later the rest of the team were also forced to return.  All massaged their hands and rolled into their sleeping bags till the sun came up – that warm, monumentally welcome sun.
 
They then decided to return to Base Camp today.  Trev rang from Camp 1, saying it’s been a really hard slog, but getting easier as they descend to breathe-easy land.  His fingers are still tingly and off-colour, but should be OK. 

Having had such impossible conditions, he now understands why it took the Lithuanian guy 5 attempts to summit.  [No, I didn’t ask him the inevitable question…  don’t want to know right now!!  Seems to me this business is a lottery – and how long since any of us won that??!]
 
So they’re all celebrating their great adventure – firstly with a shower (he says they do smell a bit after 4 days in the same clothes and rather a touch of exercise).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just thought I'd chime in as I have been getting the updates on Big T's journey.
I'm sure there will be a party and welcome back do from all involved when the group arrive home.
I think it would be great if we could gather the Monster crew together for an all pipe salute upon there arrival.

I know I'd like to hear that when I came home from such an adventure.

Back on the Karakoram Highway‏

Call last night from Trev in Kashgar (yep, the place headlining news last night: Kashgar Killings Spark Chinese Crackdown – 31 people killed in last 8 days of clashes with separatists).  Even the increased Chinese Security checks didn’t dampen his enthusiasm for his first shower for 2 weeks – only cold water, but still felt superb.

Mountain weather has continued to deteriorate, so they were glad to have left at the most appropriate time. 

He’s very much looking forward to sleeping in a bed again – no multiple squeezing into tent, no rocky base, no ice, and dry!!  Struck again by how much we take for granted (water on tap, flush toilets…).

Summit day, first time he couldn’t use his fingers, scared him – too close for comfort to permanent frost-bite damage.  Thumbs still tingly; will visit physio on return. 

Now for the (relatively) relaxing part…

UPDATE (Sun. 17th August)

from phone call to Sandy:

Enjoyed exploring Kashgar.  No English spoken, but the international currency of smiles still abundant.  Great contrast between the poorer elements - mud huts - in the old part of the city and thriving downtown area with usual statue of Mao; all alive with Olympic propaganda.  Huge underground shopping mall spanning 2 or 3 city blocks, with each area having one particular speciality – clothes, shoes, white goods, food.  Police absolutely everywhere.  But free movement and no issues at all for Trev's group.  This surprised an Italian journalist they met, who was in K to report on the unrest.  The journalist had to register, and his every move was followed closely.  One of the World Ex guides for the climb even needed a passport to travel in his own country (since he was the wrong brand – Oigur, not Han Chinese).

Drove back from Kashgar past Muztagh Ata turnoff, for pickup of their climbing gear.  Still raining heavily.  All SOO glad they were off the mountain.

Border crossing back into Pakistan – more military, more heavily armed.  Even though the group were leaving China, it was the same old routine – completely unload the bus (yep, the 32 duffel bags again), xray all, passport checks.  Then military person in front and behind the convoy to the next border checkpoint.  Thankfully the snow and extreme cold was enough disincentive for the patrol to limit themselves here to scrutinizing bus permits only. 

Pakistan very different vibe.  Immigation officials much less regimented; smiling and friendly.  Sadly the roads no longer Chinese quality (90km/hr ave), but more like glorified goat tracks (30km/hr ave), though gave benefits of being less busy and seeing more of that very beautiful region along the way.  Karimabad hotel wonderful view over the valley and the old fort.

Round two of belly bug has commenced; Trev avoided it so far. 

He has a haemorrhage in one eye, not painful, but a bit of a mystery.   

2 more days on the Karakorem Highway then explore Islamabad.

He’s now in full-on relaxed mode (well, now that his second attack of the local bug is over and his eye is improving).
Loved the tour of the 700 year old fort in Karimabad (and associated history of Pakistan princes/ princesses/British era). 
Their high-altitude porter also had them all around for a meal to his house – before climbing his duties were as cook, so rather a treat for them all.
The 2 days on the Karakoram highway suffered this time from all the rain in the region – mudslides everywhere; no time for them to be cleared; some drying out meant they could just manage to forge a “road” over the top of them.  This meant looong days over 1,200km at an average of 35-40km/hr.
Islamabad again – their obvious destination, since that is now the region of the world headlining our news…
HOT shower this time with real soap and real shampoo – doesn’t come much better than that! 
Well it would, says Trev, with a cheese sandwich followed by a steak and spuds… and no Chinese food for quite a while…

Rounding off with local sites - Rarapindi (old Islamabad), huge Sunday market near the Presidential palace (what, no Musharraf moseying by?!), carpet shops.
He’ll enjoy this but is also very much looking forward to coming home again.

He’s promised a stunning selection of pics on the web relatively soon.  He’s most excited about seeing them in laptop screen size rather than just camera screen – who wouldn’t be?? 
Will be superb to put visuals to these brief bursts from the satellite phone. 

Add one to Oz’s gold medal count – one to Guy for holding together through all this!!  (Now where is that ball and chain for Trev’s leg again?)

I wonder if DMF is blocked by the Chinese government for promoting ducati hooliganism or something. :)

This is an very.cool.story to read updates on, I can't wait to see some pics!

I'm sure we'll be invited to the slide night when Big T gets back.

Hey All


Had a bloody great time despite a few moments of doubt but you get that. Just in the process of downloading all my 2,188 pics and video. Will post a link once I have done a bit of a sort and then post. And once the slide show is done you all are invite to my place for a viewing........  [popcorn]

And must say the Canon G9 performed above and beyond all expectations. Operated in some of the most harsh conditions nature could throw at it (from -20C to plus 45C) and if anybody is looking for an all round great cam you won't do better. Just wait till you see my pics....  [cheeky]

So now time to catchup on all the posts and get back on the Monster purely as part of my recovery... of course...

Ooohh and Super I bought you a present.....

I'll be at Mecca's Saturday.. Weather permitting of course.....  [coffee]

Big (Great to be home) T   [thumbsup]   [moto]

welcome back trev you bloody legend  [thumbsup]

not sure who will be at Mecca on Sat, I might make a brief appearance to collect come beans. when are you thinking about rocking up?

Hi Big T,

     Glad to hear you are back, as you can see we've all been kept up date with your amazing trip.
Will pop in then Saturday morning to say G'day then, rain aside.

cheers
Matty....

Glad the G9 did well for you, they are a great little camera.

Hey Trev,

Welcome back, the board hasn’t been the same with out you, Sounds like you crossed some tough moments during you journey, which most of us would have folded under the strain. You adventure was beyond mine and any other human I know.

Well done Trev  [thumbsup]

I wish i was like you 8)

WOOHOO!

Welcome back T.  [thumbsup]

Now don't you go bragging about what you did/how you did it/who you did it with because you will bring he who must not be named out of the woodwork.

I shall let my pics do the talking........ Then you know who can go suck my exhaust fumes......  [cheeky]


Shall be at Mecca's from about 11:00am ish onwards for a Chai and catchup with who ever can make it.....  [coffee]

WELCOME HOME BIG T

Wish I could be there at the slide night and coffee runs to hear your stories............... :'(
But as I can not I will have a  [drink] for/with you..................Man what a journey

EGAS

YES TREV IS BACK

I HAVE MISS YOU SO MUCH AND BEEN VERY WORRIED

YES YES YES TREV IS BACK

(http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_33.gif)

I have a feeling whom we speek of, has been sucking plenty exhaust fumes already Trev  ;)

Thanks for the welcome home you all....... And I missed you too Jukie.....  ;D

Pics will be up soon........

And Doc what I do isn't that hard technically. I could get any of you to do it......

The real challenge is the lack of oxygen and the ability to "suffer".......  [bang]

Other than that a bit of a walk in the park eeerrr snow.....  [cheeky]

Now back to DMF post catch ups.....  [coffee]

I don’t want to piss in you pocket Trev, but from what I have been reading what you went through in 1 month most people wont experience in a life time, So don’t cut your self short.

I have some military time under my belt and it takes special people to do those sort of things and you are one of them .That’s why we all don’t do these sort of thing .

No Dock, the reason we don't all do these things is because we are not all nuts .... don't get me wrong a little bit of crazy is a good thing, but that stuff is too much.

You're a bit different aren't you Trev? Whether you are sane or not, what you have done is huge.

welcome back big t  [moto]

Yea have to agree that you do have to be a "bit different" to do this shit.........

Must say that the "rush" you get at times is better than any drug I have ever used and I grew up in the 70s of drugs, sex and rock and roll.....

And being a bit crazy helps..........  :P

Ya gotta LIVE life and do what rings your bells!!! Onya BigT, well done , I tips me lid!! [thumbsup] [beer]

Must say that the "rush" you get at times is better than any drug I have ever used and I grew up in the 70s of drugs, sex and rock and roll.....

And being a bit crazy helps..........  :P
[/quote]

maybe you and me trev give it a go, as I get told im a very crazy girl

(http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_1_138.gif)

You couldn't handle me Jukie......  ;D

After all I am a mountain man who likes "mountain" woman....  [thumbsup]

Good to see your back Trev! [thumbsup]


Hope the trip was fun.

Shame you didn`t get to break the record.

There is always next time.

Rob

yeh and im a diver girl that can take you deep in the ocean

go girl if you want to play with sharks ill take you diving , or playing with sting rays or just getting a feed of crays and abs  [thumbsup]

cool bazz when i down you way in the summer time we might do this. love my diving

I think she is joking Bazz, haven't been able to get her to dive as far south as Sydney - Tassie! don't fancy your chances.

not even for a feed of these



(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/2809804463_ce8739090f.jpg)

That may swing it, but we can't do that sort of thing up here ..... we like to watch.

Hmmmm "we like to watch!!!" There's a thousand and one, one liners there for anyone game enough?? ;D [roll] [cheeky]

Sssooooooo who's game???????

Ummm, I like to watch Jukies chocolate smeared Virgins play while sitting in a chair in the corner of the room!! (Hows Zat??) [evil] [wine] :o

what about rudie jukie smearing hot chocoloate on you dragon then jukie licking it off

im excited



(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2810872382_69f3e1ed4f.jpg)

is this a picture of you bazz

oh lawdy, lawdy, lawdy. Now you've dunnit!!!! I cant hold my....ahem...........coffee in my trembling hand, and I'm having trouble walking!!! ;D

You are a  [evil] wicked, wanton reducer of men to mumbling messes [thumbsup] ;D

not saying anything on the grounds of youll all laugh [laugh]

so if i start licking from the waist up nice and slowly dragon is this good for you

(http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_2_102.gif)

think you need a bit of a shave bazz me mate

ooooh, errrr, eerrmm, uhuh, imean , aaaah ,jeeeez. phew, aaaah, its certainly HOT in here!! [thumbsup] [cheeky]

Hey Bazz I can recommend a good back, crack ands sack waxer.....  [cheeky]

I'm sure Jukie would like to watch that.....  [coffee]

love to watch and maybe get waxed myself i up for my next session

Hah!! Cant see the wood for the trees huh?? ;D [cheeky]

love the waxing makes thing nice and soft and smooth, that what i love about Trev

the only wax i get near is when the power goes out, fair crack of the whip juckie i had been at sea for a month came in then jumped on a charter boat the clients didnt turn up so we took the boat out any way and had some fun and won a big fishing comp at the same time if you look closely at that photo theres a marlin under a dooner at my feet , any way im more distinguished now and own a beard trimmer  [laugh]

Yyyeeaa I'm just a "nice, soft and smooth" kind of dude........ That's what all the chicks say ....  ;D   [cheeky]

Okay I'll wake up now.......

ive got more hair on my arse and back than on my head i recon trev i need a 44 and a hundred virgens  [cheeky]

hhhhmmmm trev you know i think of you  like that, and much much more, hhhmmm Trev

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come on Bazz ill have to get you to sydney and sort you out,  so you look more respectible, loose that beard it make you older then what you are.

no no jukie the wifie like it she says it tickles her  [laugh]

oh well worth a try, but it will make you look younger without it.

your only as old as girl you feel  [cheeky]

Shit, I'm not that old am I? (http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/im/darfc.gif)

... and in the vain hope of getting out of that one I will try to get this thread back on track ... Good luck Trev (even though you are back now)  :P

dog house for you tonight or you will be having cold shoulder and tongue pie for supper [laugh]

yes bazz agree with you i act a bit like a little naughty girl at times, but no harm has been done.

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tell me jukie did betty get his ear chewed  [cheeky]

no he doesn't every get in trouble from me, i have broad shoulders

MMmmmmmm more like Jukie wears the pants .....  [cheeky]  ;D

Sorry Betty....  :'(  :'(

And a cat of 9 tails in hand.

At least I am in under no illusions.

what what what me wear the pants it is the quite ones you have to look out for Right Betty

Yep you got that right Jukie....

From meek, mild & quite Big T......  [evil]

yes trev the quite ones are very sus

Okay I have some pics up on the adventure. Some light bed time viewing...  [wine]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26503291@N03/sets/72157605512754666/

Happy viewing......  [popcorn]

WOW AND OMG love the pictures, cop cars, guns all good what a trip Trev you are a very brave man, and my BIGGEST HERO

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respect big t great photos  [thumbsup]

Great photos Big T..... 

I think some of those photos are confirmation Big T is a certifiable nut case. No doubt some extreme conditions you were in there Trev.

Very nice photography by he way .... can't imagine I would be able to frame up a shot under the circumstances - my attentions would definitely be elsewhere (like on survival).

And of course a fair smattering of bling shots as you would expect .... what would Tool thing of some of those buses?

I take that Betty as a great compliment ........  ;D

As for the pics I really can't praise the Canon G9 enough. It performed brilliantly in all the conditions and just kept taking brilliant pics from -20C to +45C.
Battery life was halved on the mountain but I could still get 200 shots ish from one battery and I had 7 batteries so plenty of spares in the cold.

As for bikes, In China it is all copies of the Honda 70 & 125. In Kashgar it self it was all electric scooters. No gas driven bikes at all. They ride these on the foot path and being electric you can't hear them so nearly got run over on numerous times till I figured out the traffic protocol.
In Pakistan the Honda 70 was the equivalent to the Ducati 620 and the Honda 125 was the S4RS.

No Ducati's were spotted.....