16 | Features RAF100 Himalayan Venture 18
“There it is!” was mouthed at me as an excited team member grabbed my shoulder and pointed between the heads of the Twin Otter aircrew. The 450m runway at Lukla sits at a 12% gradient with a 600m angled drop off on the approach end and a sheer cliff face at the opposite. With no option for a go-around, the one chance nature of the landing gives Lukla the reputation of ‘the most dangerous airport in the world’. Eighteen months of preparation had led Team 2 of RAF100 Himalayan Venture 18 (HV18) to this point.
HV18 is the principle
expedition of the RAF100 celebrations and the largest RAF mountaineering expedition ever undertaken. HV18 has taken 80 personnel selected from 250 applicants to the Khumbu and Rolwaling regions of the Nepalese Himalaya. Included in the final 5 teams were regulars, reservists, veterans, University Air Sqn students and cadets; representing the past, present and future of the service. The ambitious venture has been undertaken to commemorate 100 Years of the RAF, the 75th anniversary of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service and the 70th anniversary of the RAF Mountaineering Association.
Throughout September Team 2 trekked from Lukla to the legendary Namche Bazzar, summited the 5357m peak at Gokyo Ri, crossed the Renjo La and passed through
Thame toward our main objective; The Tashi Lapcha Pass (5755m). Camped below the pass in the rocky basin of Ngole, we felt we were now ‘right in amongst it’. No more trails or tea houses just rock, ice fall and the knowledge that in 12 hours we would be above helicopter evac altitude. Out of our comfort zone, exactly where you are supposed to be on adventurous training, we started our attempt. As we scrambled our way towards the east side of Tashi Lapcha the environment became imposing. To the west a sheer ice cliff towered 1500m up the opposite side of the valley drawing comments about white walkers that were lost on all those who didn’t watch Game of Thrones. As we surveyed our own route there was serious doubt that we would be able to achieve our objective; however,
after 11 hours of fixed ropes and minor rock falls we finally reached our high camp just below the crest of the Tashi Laphca Pass. The following day was an unexpected epic! Summiting the Tashi Lapcha at sunrise, the predicted 7 hour day turned into 18 hours as we descended the west side of the pass and began our trail breaking route across the ever changing Drolambao glacier. Well after dark, and feeling broken, we stumbled into camp satisfied in the knowledge that we had overcome the crux of our exped.
By the time the HV18 was over, all 5 teams had successfully crossed the Tashi Lapch Pass with the Alpine Team helping to draw the Royal Air Force’s centenary year to an impressive close; achieving a first British assent of Mt Langdung 6357m.
ENVOY | Winter 2018 Winter
18 |
raf-ff.org.uk
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