Abstract

‘Exped 2010’, a climbing and trekking expedition to the Everest region of Nepal, marked the 150th anniversary of the Army Cadet Force, during October 2010. A team of 20 cadets aged 14-18 years together with a combination of adults, mountain leaders and the expedition doctor, completed the trek to Everest Base Camp with a small number summiting Island Peak. The junior team, consisting of younger members aged 14-16 years, were limited to sleeping at a maximum altitude of 4240m but nevertheless, achieved a trekking altitude of 5000m. Over the three week period, there were a number of challenges for the expedition doctor - integrating into the team, finding time to rest and acclimatise along with the others whilst dealing with over 35 consultations, numerous cases of traveller’s diarrhoea, several helicopter evacuations and also managing cases of altitude illness both within the group and for several foreign trekkers along the way.