The PGM Completes his 5 Days on Trek India

Wednesday UK Starting sorting out what I am taking to India, I wonder where I put the Imodium !!!

Friday at 10:28 - Arrived in Delhi 6.00am UK time. It feels as though I'm in a tumble dryer it is that hot. Going for a tour of Old Delhi now, just had a guy come up and shake my hand and asked for 20 rupees for the privilege.

Friday at 16:02- Just waiting for the sleeper train to leave Old Delhi station.
Quite an experience, it is packed and one thing is certain I won't be sleeping.
Never seen as many people on one station or on one train. Do not want to use the loo either, wish I had not had those two Kingfisher beers or that curry earlier on!

Saturday Morning - The overnight train to Pathenkot was an experience I don't want to do again in a hurry and then a five hour taxi ride to the hotel.
The poverty and squalor in the villages has to be seen but these people don't know anything else and if they have shelter and food they have everything they need.
Been to the Dalai llama's palace today, he wasn't there!!
Setting of tomorrow for the mountains.

Sunday, Day 1 0f Trek

Another hour to go to reach Camp 1. One member less with a bad head injury.
32 C today, climbed to 1800mt, with many stops for water and rest. Looking forward to a promised shower and a meal but no beer Grrr.

Sunday Night Reached Camp 1 after 10hrs on the trail, what a welcome sight. Trekked through dense woodland and rocky paths.
Wonder what our meal will be, no odds on another curry!

Monday - Lunch stop on Day 2

35 c Passed through several mountain settlements, women washing clothes in the streams tending 3 or4 cows and a few goats,everyone has a greeting and wants to see their photo on the camera's. I've drunk 2Lts of water already today.

Tuesday - Morning Day 3

Could not get a signal last night after a very tough day, climbed for 3hrs after lunch to Camp 2, absolutely knackered, soon recovered after a couple of brews.
Had the daddy of all thunderstorms during the night so should be another fun packed day today!!!

Wednesday - Evening Day 4

On our way down from camp3/4 have not shaved for five days, might stay another month!! Never felt better still 359 Taj nahal tomorrow

Thursday - Evening Day 5 Final Day

Arrived back to base about 2.00 after a steep climb back. A couple of celebration beers and then a shower and shave, wonderful.
Celebration meal tonight hope its not more curry. This trip has probably been the best experience of my life. I hope I do not get to boring when I get back. If I do tell me and I will just book a flight and come here again and become a trekking guide!!

Thursday May 12th Sorry I've been out contact, not much service at 3000mts. Just arrived back in the land of technology, think I might prefer it back there. This has been the best experience of my life, great people, sights and customs which have really opened my eyes. Travelling back to Delhi tomorrow and Taj Mahal on Saturday

Friday May 13th Party time last night trying to teach some of the girls how to jive, unsuccessfully. Left the hotel at lunchtime for the train back to Delhi. It seems to be coming to an end far to soon. Taj Mahal tomorrow which is a 5hr bus journey and then the same back. won't be partying tomorrow night

Saturday May 14th Managed some sleep on the train to Delhi, arrived at 5.30am absolute chaos, how anybody finds there way about is beyond me. There are families who actually live on the platforms, people asleep everywhere, on the floor on rickshaws small children just lying anywhere

Saturday evening May 14th Taj Mahal today, too hot 41C, too many people, but what a sight. How India has reached a population of 1.3 billion is amazing as they have a total disregard for hygiene. and for life and limb on the roads. Trucks, tractors, bikes, horse and carts most without lights, all use the horn instead of brakes, it is the most fascinating country ever and I will be sorry to leave tomorrow.

Monday evening May 16th Back home in real world from what has been a life changing experience. Many thanks to all who supported the appeal, the YCC has benefited enormously from eveyone's generosity. Also to all you brilliant people who were there on the trek, what a team !!!
The Himalayan Challenge
On Thursday 5th May the Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire Keith Schofield will set off on the ultimate life changing experience, taking part in a gruelling 5 day Himalayan trekking challenge.
He will start in Dharamsala, India, the home of the Dalai Lama and then uphill through dense forests, more uphill through lush alpine meadows, and even more uphill along high mountain trails, trekking for up to 8 hours every day and sleeping in a tent each night, with temperatures below freezing, eventually reaching an altitude of 14,000 feet.


Why is he letting himself in for this?

Trekking for 5 days at this altitude will be very hard but he will be accompanied by other volunteers all attempting to reach their personal goals. They all will have had some personal experience of cancer, either themselves or through their families.
The fund raising expedition is aimed at people who are prepared to train to meet the challenge. Keith has been training to raise his personal fitness levels and stamina for about six months, putting in many hours of endurance training at the local gym, training walks in the Lake District, the Welsh Hills and the Yorkshire Dales, but nothing can really prepare him for the conditions found in the Himalayas.
Keith said "I am undertaking this challenge because I wish to make a difference. I hope that the funds raised will help eventually to find a cure for this terrible disease".


Keith lost his dear wife, Brenda, to leukaemia after a brave battle last year. She was cared for by The Yorkshire Cancer Centre at the St James’s Institute of Oncology in Leeds, which is the biggest purpose built cancer centre in Europe and his trek will help contribute to their recent £10 million appeal to ensure they remain at the leading edge of cancer care.
To date Keith has raised a staggering £34,500 towards the appeal.

St James Leeds