Prometheus Sponsors Exercise Imja Tse
Exercise Imja Tse, is the Defence Medical Services trekking and climbing expedition to the Nepalese Himalayas taking place during the post-monsoon period of 2009.
The aim of the expedition will be to take personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force through a journey of personal development and growth as individuals and as members of the Armed Forces. This will be achieved through outdoor and mountaineering training and the challenge of the journey through the most famous mountain range in the world, the Everest region of the Himalayas.
The team has been chosen and includes 35 of Her Majesty’s finest doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, nurses and medics. Some of the team are experienced in taking part and teaching adventurous training whilst a large proportion are novices to high altitude environments. This exercise provides a challenging and life changing experience for the whole team. Ultimately it will demonstrate the professionalism, diversity and opportunities available within the Defence Medical Services and military as a whole, particularly during this current period of increased operational demands.
The expedition will involve trekking up the main approach towards Mount Everest providing an opportunity to view Mount Everest from Kala Pattar (5545m). The team will then move to Imja Tse (Island Peak) and make an attempt on the summit (6189m). The expedition will have a two level approach. The first level will focus on novice trekkers, providing an opportunity to experience high altitude; the second will focus on the experienced trekkers and climbers in the team who will climb Imja Tse.
High altitude medical research will be a fundamental component on the exercise. On the last Defence Medical Services expedition, to climb Mt Aconcagua in 2007, they carried out a pilot study looking at changes in an individual’s physiology to altitude and the incidence of acute mountain sickness. This study produced some interesting results that have helped guide an original study design for the forthcoming expedition. By measuring physiological changes and using a novel blood sampling technique, that has not been studied before at altitude, we hope to be able to answer the currently elusive question – is there a simple test that can predict an individual’s susceptibility to acute mountain sickness? If successful then the research may pave the way for preventative strategies to be implemented in the future.
The Surgeon General, Lieutenant General Lillywhite has kindly agreed to be the Expedition Patron.
“I am proud to be associated with Defence Medical Services expedition to climb Imja Tse. The challenge of climbing and trekking at high altitude and in a remote area is significant, particularly for those with no previous experience in such a remote or high area. For those less experienced, or with no previous experience, it is an ambitious project. However, given the comprehensive training package available it is one which will be within the reach of many DMS personnel.
In addition to overcoming the challenge of achieving the mountaineering challenge, the members will also undertake high altitude research which builds on projects already carried out on both Everest and Aconcagua and will lead to further understanding of the complex physiological and metabolic adaptation to hypoxia.” Lieutenant -General LP Lillywhite