Northern Ireland Everest Expedition 2003
the team

Ten years after the first ascent by an Irishman, there was the first Northern Ireland Everest Expedition.

I (Jamie) first met Richard Dougan, the expedition leader, on Cho Oyu where he had an epic expedition with some success but also some close shaves and, very sadly, one team member dead. Bravely he wanted to continue and climb Everest, and he asked me to organize it, which I did as Explore Himalaya's expedition consultant.

David Sharp (from the mainland UK) climbed Cho Oyu with myself the year before and wanted to go to Everest. Already having met Richard, he joined them, rather than a guided expedition.

The last piece of the puzzle is how I ended up on the team; I was the Nepal-based organizer but I worked as a climbing sherpa for no more cost than the original allowance for a sherpa.

Ultimately the expedition was successful but there were a few lessons learned, by everyone.

The fresh-faced team, L to R, Dave Sharp, Duggie, Steve, Banjo, Richard and myself about to enjoy pizza
at the famed Fire & Ice restaurant. We didn't look like this when we returned there after the expedition.

Duggie (L) - physio and BC-ABC support with Stevie - medic
Stevie arrived at base camp with diarrhea and dehydrated, and that progressed to cerebral oedema,
so Duggie escorted him down and to Northern Ireland.

jdesign -- all rights reserved -- frozen in time July 2013