Trip Reports

Calton Athletic Recovery Group - Everest Base Camp Trek

Calton Athletic team at Everest Base Camp
Trip Report

Written by Leader Mungo Ross, December 2016

When I met John Ferns over two years ago he introduced himself as a member of the Calton Athletic Recovery Group – a recovering alcoholic and drug addict from the east end of Glasgow. Intrigued by what I do for a living, he asked me where I was off to next and when I said that I was off to Everest Base Camp with a group the very next day he asked excitedly “do you think we could go there?” I remember spontaneously replying “you can go anywhere you like” – which is exactly what they have just done, “they” being eight members of the group who have taken themselves on a journey that they have each wanted, chosen, decided to make – so far removed from the lives they were living, being taken down a road of self-destruction by drink and drugs.

My two conditions for taking/going with them were that we needed to get to know one another first and that we use the support of the professional expedition agency that I am familiar with i.e. Jagged Globe. Our mutual agreement to these conditions is testament to the success of the expedition – collectively we have put everything in place to make the outcome inevitable (well, as inevitable as expedition outcomes ever are!). Bothy weekends and days on the hill in the Scottish mountains have allowed us to get to know and trust one another; planning an itinerary and all the details of the trek itself guaranteed by the best company in the business. Instead of seeking sponsorship, the group have raised the cash to pay for the trip themselves (they were happy to accept that this may not be the cheapest way to see Everest), that effort alone commendable through personal contribution and all sorts of fund-raising ventures, generously supported by a grant from the Scottish Mountaineering Trust. And most importantly, a commitment from each team member not just to the trip, but to a training programme to ensure that they were going to be fit enough to get there.

And fit they were; to get a flavour of the trek and what it meant to the guys individually, these are extracts from their diary -

“Flying into Lukla Airport was amazing. It’s the first time I have known all the group to be speechless for the full journey. Totally amazing experience.” (David)
“A hard day with some heavy ascents. Good pacing by the Sherpas made it easier. Scenery was great and the breaks were appreciated. Cake and coffee were excellent.” (Donald)
“Had a very nice relaxing day today. Went into the village and got a trekkers massage, it was very painful but done me the world of good. Went into a wee café and watched the world go past. A trekker’s marathon sharing a path with yaks and horses and donkeys. So very pleasantly surreal. This is a fantastic country with amazing people.” (Bill)
“Loads of gratitude for the Sherpa Guides, these guys are the heartbeat of our trip. Feeling very emotional today, tearful a few times about getting closer to Everest Base Camp and thinking of my family. Learning to take one day at a time and not to think too far ahead. Nemo Sherpa the pace-maker, star man today.” (David)
“Had an amazing day today, the views the mountains and going to a monastery just topped a perfect day off. Very tough at times but so worthwhile.” (Bill)
“Really good day was had by all today. Scenery and camaraderie between all the Calton boys and Mungo and Sherpas just keeps getting better on a daily basis. C’mon the Calton yee haa!” (Willie)
“Climbing higher today, everyone in the group struggling to get breath but recovering quite fast. We all seem to be coping well with the altitude, our last stop today at Dingboche at 4343 meters. Muscles feeling tighter and feeling fatigued but still feel amazing at being in the Himalayas.” (Peter)
“Total eye opener, Himalaya altitude taking no prisoners and if we didn’t think this was going to be hard we do now! Everyone supporting each other has been great to watch. Getting higher and colder but it is everything I knew it would be. Breath-taking mountains with star lit nights, Everest keeps appearing teasing us with her beauty. Sleep is becoming more difficult – at the start I was looking forward to my bed, now seven days in lying in the cold through the night the walking can’t come fast enough!” (John) “Rest day in Dingboche. Great day for everyone around the lodge doing washing and enjoying the great weather. Donald and John excellent keeping everyone involved singing and playing guitar before having our meeting which was excellent as everyone emotional. Today a great day for morale…” (David) “We’ve all recuperated well after a day’s rest and our meeting was very emotional. The thoughts of the last two years running through my head sitting with this group of men who I consider not just friends but a band of brothers, Sherpas included. 3 days walking to Base camp if we go with the right frame of mind the mother of all mountains will look after us I’m sure of that. My head has been through a rollercoaster and now really recharged for tomorrow. Thanks Mungo, your wee pal Jon.” “Hardest day so far. Again great walk up and into a memorial garden of rocks dedicated to mountaineers that have lost their lives, some famous names and brings home how serious this task is.” (Peter) “It’s the end of the road for me as I’ve got all the symptoms of AMS and have to be sent back down the mountain. It’s heart-breaking and I feel I’ve failed my task after all the effort I’ve put in. I’m gutted! Gutted!” (Bob) “Very difficult day today as two of the team had to return to lower altitude. Very emotional meeting for the group and we agreed that Mungo would travel with the boys and that the Sherpas would look after us until Mungo could return. We agreed to have a rest day due to a difficult night for some of the group. Saddest day of the trip.” (David) “We travelled to Gorak Shep and on arrival a few of the group were looking to be fatigued. Had lunch then they appeared to pick up. We agreed to tackle Base Camp and were all excited but also apprehensive about the altitude. We managed to get there and take loads of photos; partly sad due to 2 of the boys and Mungo not present to share this experience. Totally amazing experience but I’m sure we will appreciate it more when we get home to our loved ones.” (David)
“Our journey continued up the Khumbu Valley and as usual we had to have our wits about us, as much as this place is amazingly beautiful it’s not a walk in the park, every step closer and draining; but worth the journey for myself, the group and every guy individually. Reaching Everest Base Camp was amazing fighting fatigue and altitude she definitely challenged every part of me before letting me see her all, being there with the boys made every part special, the Calton my brothers and our individual stories as to why we took up this journey. I was here for my son and mum and an emotional time for me, she was and is with me every day but part of my journey was to lay some of her ashes in a beautiful place. She deserves to be there for everything she done for me in my life before and after recovery: and my son to be proud his dad made it to EBC and bring him back his stone. Now our return begins and I can’t wait to get back, hug and kiss my loved ones. I am abundantly blessed in my life and this Journey has opened my eyes to this and I will be going home a changed man. “When you go to your limits, your limits will expand”
“The more time you spend outside your comfort zone, the wider it grows.” (Tam)
“We reached Base Camp after a heavy slog and tired legs. Was not feeling the best with altitude sickness but knew if we left it to another day I may not have made it; after days of walking and years of dreaming we reached Base Camp. In Calton Athletic we have many mottos “Do well, Doubt not” is the club motto in which we believe if you are doing the right things, things will work out right. I have had a dream of being on Everest since I got sober and through C.A.R.G. I have achieved unbelievable dreams. My kids, and grand-kids will hear stories of Everest and the legend Mungo Ross, a true gentleman and unbelievable man in whom all our families and members of C.A.R.G. are truly grateful. Another motto of C.A.R.G. is “Beyond your wildest dreams” and we have shown people back home that if you can beat addiction you can achieve any dream!” (Peter)
“We are all slowly getting back to normal after our amazing trek. Great day at the pool, relaxing and phoning our families, excited about the prospect of returning home. And talking to other guests about our experience of Everest Base Camp.” (David)

To say that this journey has been as emotional as it has been physical is an understatement – it has been an enormous privilege to share this journey of recovery and discovery with a remarkable group of men who are a credit to themselves and their families, to their Club, and an inspiration to so many people out there struggling in the darkness of addiction. They have translated their own maxim of “One day (hour/minute) at a time” to “One step at a time”, learning from their own experience of confronting addiction that going to altitude is no different – not something to be beaten and conquered but something one needs to bow to, to learn to manage and live with, and that is only realistically possible and sustainable with support. Their support for each other is unquestionable and unconditional, their individual stories of recovery quite remarkable, their trip to Nepal proof that their commitment to recovery is sincere and effective; if going to Everest Base Camp can help to stay off drink and drugs for another couple of years, then that’s a pretty good reason to go there. It’ll take a while for the impact and sense of achievement of getting to EBC to really sink in, but sink in it will inspiring who knows what in each of us. The question now is – “Where to next guys?”

Mungo Ross, Expedition Leader « | »

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