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Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala and Johann Peries have successfully trekked to Everest Base Camp. They are at the South Base Camp, which is in Nepal at an altitude of 5,380m (17,600 ft). This will be their home for the remainder of the expedition. From Everest Base Camp, the duo will be trekking and climbing on both Mount Everest and Mount Lobuche, enabling them to train and practice their trekking and ice climbing skills at high altitudes.
Upon arrival at Everest Base Camp, Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala, said: “I’m glad we’ve arrived at the base camp but the really hard work starts now. We’re ready to go higher, we’ve got the skills and experience to get to the summit and that is our goal.” Johann Peries echoed Jayanthi’s comment saying: “The trek to Base Camp has been a really good warm up. We will give the mountain the respect it deserves and we believe we can make the summit.”
International Mountain Guides, the mountaineering company supporting Jayanthi and Johann, are overseeing the training, logistical support, as well as providing meals for the duo. This includes cooking a wide variety of foods at Everest Base Camp to ensure they keep their appetite – losing your appetite is common at high altitudes and is a sign of altitude sickness. Both Jayanthi and Johann have been healthy to date and are eating very well.
Depending on weather conditions, the expedition is scheduled to take another six weeks (adverse weather may result in a longer expedition). Jayanthi and Johann are pleased with the way their bodies have responded to the altitude and are both focused on their goal to summit Mt. Everest.
The Everest Expedition Team wish to thank their sponsors: Summit Sponsor – Fairway Holdings; Airline Partner – Sri Lankan Airlines; Base Camp Sponsors – Seylan Bank, Sri Lanka Mobitel Telecom, and Janashakthi Insurance; and Gear Sponsors – SEALs, Petzl and Victorinox.
