ROCK CLIMBING NEWS ITEM

Caudwell Xtreme Everest Volunteers Arrive in Nepal

THURSDAY, 29 MARCH 2007

This week, the first Group of Caudwell Xtreme Everest medical expedition volunteers arrives at Kathmandu, Nepal, heralding the start of the world’s largest human biology study ever performed at high altitude. The main purpose of the study is to investigate hypoxia - a deficiency of oxygen in the blood - and the results will be used to benefit clinical care worldwide, particularly those people in intensive care.

Over the course of the next two months, nearly 200 members of the public from the UK, Europe, USA and Australia will be tested at four different Himalayan elevations – at Kathmandu, 1,355 meters (4,379 ft), at Namche Bazaar, 3,450 meters (11,318) Pheriche, 4,280m (13,805 ft) and Everest Base Camp, 5,300 meters (17,225 ft).

A series of trials, including subjects pedaling a special exercise bike while wearing high tech breathing apparatus will determine the ability of healthy adults to adapt to the low oxygen levels found at high altitude. The effectiveness of a new portable closed-circuit breathing system devised to improve the mobility of supplementary oxygen-dependent patients will also be tested.

Neurological ability at altitude will also be checked through a series of cognitive examinations, including memory tests and problem solving. Base level tests were completed in February at The UCL (University College London) Institute of Human Health and Performance at the university’s Archway campus.

Caudwell Xtreme Everest expedition leader Dr Mike Grocott, also an Honorary Consultant Anaesthetist at North London’s Whittington Hospital explained, “By observing healthy individuals at high altitude where oxygen is scarce, we can learn about physiological changes that can improve critical care at the hospital bedside because low oxygen levels are an almost universal problem in critical care.”

Dr Mike Grocott, who once worked as a resident physician at the Himalayan Rescue Association Aid Post at Pheriche, heads up a clinical team of highly experienced climbers who, at the peak of their profession, have decided to take part in a concurrent, more audacious study that will potentially take the doctors and medics to the summit of Everest at 8,850m (29,035 feet). Many of these researchers usually work as intensive care nurses and doctors.

Starting this week, they will undergo a series of physical tests at Namche Bazaar and then begin their ascent towards Everest Base Camp for further tests. They will cross the treacherous Khumbu ice fields and then climb up the South Col route. A Milsys Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelter (DRASH) tent will be positioned around 7,000 metres (23,000 feet) on Everest’s Western Cwm, after being carried up by seven climbers in 14 separate parts. This will be one of the world’s highest laboratories and higher on the mountain the South Col camp at 8,000 m (26,000 ft) will have the world’s highest laboratory. The team also hopes to extract arterial blood at the summit, which will be another world first. Teams of up to ten are set to reach the peak in mid to late May and will return back to the UK at the end of June.

Dr Mike Grocott continues, “Patients that will be helped by the research range from those with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Cystic Fibrosis, emphysema, septic shock and ‘blue babies’.”

“Although it’s been possible to simulate low oxygen levels in specially designed, low pressure chambers, studies are very expensive and can produce variable results. Also, the experience for the subjects involved can be unpleasant. It’s the quest for original and accurate results from the field that is inspiring us.”

The £2 million medical study is being entirely funded by private enterprise. Entrepreneur and founder of Caudwell Children, John Caudwell, have donated £500k. John and his brother Brian were early volunteers to the expedition and will leave the UK on April 18.

BOC Medical has provided £300k support and a number of other organizations, including The London Clinic and Eli Lilly Critical Care, Deltex Medical, Smiths Medical and the Rolex Foundation have also given cash assistance. All of the volunteers have paid to participate in their trek to Everest Base Camp, organized by mountaineering specialists, Jagged Globe.

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