17 Aug 2003 Annie reached 5305m on Mt Everest north side as the first woman on a motorcycle, despite snow, rain, fog and altitudeproblems. Read Annie's Everest DIARY! Click for bigger image.

Mount Everest view seen from Base Camp.

Going for Mount Everest Base Camp.

Annie is invited to an offroad motorcycle expedition up to Mount Everest Base Camp!
On Aug 6 the expedtion leaves Kathmandu.

50th Anniversary
This year it is the 50th anniversary of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay ascent of the 8850 m high Mount Everest summit. Since more than 1000 climbers have reached the "top of the world".

Fives danes, a swede and a nepalese
The expedition is organized by Henning Bitsch & Krishna Humagain. Henning is a known environmentalist in Denmark, who has travelled in Nepal & Tibet many times. Krishna is a local Nepalese who runs an adventure company with motorbiking, river rafting etc. in Nepal & Tibet. Henning has invited four more danish mebers and Swedish Annie to join the team.

The duration of the expedition is estimated to be two weeks, starting August 6 from Kathmandu, Nepal. The objective is to reach Base Camp at 5150 m.
The first 1000 kms to Lhasa will take approx 4 days. The tracks are of different standard, mostly bad.
To acklimatize 2 days will be spent in Lhasa at 3650 m, before continuing. Next stop will be in Rongbuk at 4900 m, with the world's highest situated Monastry.
Again the team needs to acklimatize, before continuing the last 100 kms to Base Camp.

Record attempt*
There is an "inofficial motorbike altitude record on Mount Everest" - a japanese is said to have reached 5250 m. The "world motorbike altitude record" is said to be 5600 m at Khardung La Pass-India (which is the higest motorable road in the world), held by Doug Sunderland.
Depending on weather and the condition of the team, two bikers will make an attempt to beat the record and reach Advanced Base Camp at 6400 m. To do this the riders will need oxygen and warm clothes, the temperature is -10ºC. The two riders will be decided when arriving to BC. But everything above 5600 m will be concidered a succesful record attempt.
* Since this was written in july, there has been more information on other records. A Chines motorbiker with a 60-man crew is said to have reached +6200 m on Mt Everest this year.

Difficulties
The physical exhaustion will be tough, and high altitude illness can strike the team. Water from the melting glaciers will make rivercrossings challenging. And ofcourse unpredictable weather can cause problems along the way. There will also be a technical challenge to keep the engines running at this altitude.

Aspects of nature
Mount Everest is a big tourist attraction today. Also Nepal & Tibet wants and needs tourism and the money the Everest attraction brings, and Tibets governement is especially focusing on their domestic Chinese tourism for the region. It has already had positive spin-offs for local people. The villages now have good roads, get fresh water, and schools and hospitals have been built.

But the tourism also has a devastating backside, and the area has been littered and deforested from expeditions passing by. Therefore there are regulations to protect the environment.

The north side (Tibet) of Everest is open to use vehicles up to Base Camp to carry equipment, which the south side is not. No bikes will be driven through any ”untouched” nature, but will stay on well used trails. Ofcourse no trash will be dumped along the way. The pollution from the bikes is minimal compared to the trucks already run up and down the north side. *Bikkes are actually recommended to use through difficult terrain.

The expedtion has chose to use a local adventure operator and his motorbikes and equipment, use local guides and stay at guesthouses along the way. This will benefit the local people.

Day to day itinerary

Read the Everest diary!

START: 6 Aug Kathmandu, Nepal
FINISH: 20 Aug Kathmandu, Nepal

Day 01: Kathmandu - Kodari - Zanghmu - Nyalam (190 Km)
The expedition leaves Kathmandu at 6
o'clock heading northeast to Tibet. Reaching the border town Kodari, entering the Chinese border town of Zhangmu, locally known as “Khasa”. Meet the compulsory Tibetan guide and back-up truck for the necessary supplies. After Zhangmu 30 kilometres straight uphill to reach Nyalam. Total climb is 2300 m on day one. Elevation 3500 m.

Day 02: Nyalam - Tingri - Lhatze (260 Km)
The route gradually ascends to the high pass of Lablung La at 5050 m. In clear weather a close-up view of the high Himalayas (Gaurishanker, Shisapangma to Langtang range) can be seen. Across the high pass of 5220 m Gyatsola before reaching Lhatze. Elevation 3900 m.

Day 03: Lhatze - Shakya Monastery - Shigatse (200 Km)
Passing by the historic Monastery of "Shakya" then to Shigatse, the second largest city of Tibet. Then across Yulung La (4950 m), and onto the plateau area. Elevation 4000 m.

Day 04: Shigatse - Gyantse (90 Km)
Short 90 km to Gyantse through agricultural, cultivated areas. An easy day to recover on. Elevation 3950 m.

Day 05: Gyantse - Lhasa (280 Km)
Crossing the high pass of "Karo La" at 5050 m, then continue to Lhasa.

Day 06 & 07: At Lhasa
Stay in Lhasa for two days to acclimatize and maintain the equipment. Elevation 3650 m.

Day 08: Lhasa - Shigatse (250 Km)
Along the Kyi Chu River the same way back to Brahmaputra valley. Then riding on the riverbed of the "Yarlung Tsangpo" to Shigatse. Elevation 3950 m.

Day 09: Shigatse - Tingri (315 Km)
A long day, mostly off-road, and a rivercrossing in Chamco. On a clear day Mount Everest can be seen from Tingri.

Day 10: Tingri - Rongbuk (120 Km)
The real taste of the "Top of the World". Riding through the barren landscape and finally arrive at Rongbuk where we will stay for the next 3 nights to acclimatize. Simple accommodation at the monastery guest house. Elevation 4900 m.

Day 11: Base Camp Mount Everest
The expedition will reach the Base Camp. Elevation 5150 m, approx 0° C.

Day 12: Advanced Base Camp (Attempt)
Attempt to beat the inofficial WORLD RECORD of motorbiking at altitude, currently 5250 m! Check out the route to the Advance Base Camp of Everest at 6200 m, the temperature is approx -10° C.

Day 13: Rongbuk (Everest base camp) - Tingri - Nyalam (330 Km)
Back to Nyalam, ascending via Lablung La (5120 m) and Thong La pass.

Day 14: Nyalam - Zhanghmu - Kodari - Kathmandu (180 Km)
35 kilometres descent from Nyalam to Zhangmu, the altitude drops by 1300 m in approximately 1.5 hours. Across border into Nepal and continue to Kathmandu.
End of expedition.

PACKING LIST

waterproof bags, 2 (Ortlieb)
helmet
goggles (dark & clear lenses) (roll off system?)
jacket (Lindstrands, goretex, warm lining)
waterproof /wind jacket (Mat Black)
pants (Lindstrands, goretex & normal)
knees/elbows/chestprotector
gloves (goretex & normal)
thermal underwear
socks (wool)
boots (Daytona, goretex)
backpack (Wolfskin with drinking system)
bunbag with tools
camelbak
document pouch to carry when riding
safetykit with silver blanket
PETZL head torch
cig lighter
scissors
clear tape
marker pens
sleeping bag
towel
shoes/clothes
hygiene things
painkillers
greasy cream
energy bars (High 5)
energy drink powder (High 5)
thick innertubes (Bridgestone)

Oxygen
First aid