The three-week trek promises to be an amazing experience, testing everyone's skills and personal strength to the limit for a fantastic cause.

Dreams Come True is hoping that the team will raise at least enough money to make five dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses.

This year marks the 20th year of the charity and the trek will celebrate making 3,000 children happy, whether meeting their favourite popstar or flying out to Disney.

The charity has teamed up with another Midhurst-based organisation True Adventure – expedition professionals led by multi-summiter Mike Trueman, who has years of experience trekking in various parts of the world.

Led by Mike, the team will start their journey at Kathmandu in Nepal, then fly to Lukla where the trek will begin in earnest.

Winding their way around rivers and valleys, the scenery promises to be spectacular, with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and that symbol of exploration and triumph over adversity, Mount Everest.

Once the trek starts, readers will be able to follow the team's progress in the Observer as well as on our website, where Clare will be filing reports and diaries and sending back photographs and video footage of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.


I'm so lucky my name was pulled out of the hat – I can't wait for this trek to get started


ALTHOUGH going in my capacity as a reporter, for me personally, this will be an amazing experience and for the past few weeks I've been preparing for what will be both a physical and mental challenge.

I was really excited and surprised when my name was pulled out of the
hat a couple of months ago.

Travelling has always been on my list of things to do but for many
reasons I've never managed to get the backpack on and get out there.

Whether it's work or money, there's always been something which has got in the way.

There's never been the right time to travel properly so this will be a real dream come true for me and hopefully the start of a new, more
adventurous chapter in my life.

Although the trek is to the base camp and not the summit itself, it will still be an achievement of immense proportions.

Each day I'll be walking with the group, reaching more than 18,000 feet
above sea level – for me an unimaginable height.

We'll have several things to contend with.

We'll have to be careful as the terrain is very rough and everyone will be faced with the problem of altitude sickness as we gain height.

These are not insurmountable problems, and I've been promised that
we'll be walking at an easy pace to allow us to acclimatise gradually.

Most people will never have walked in these conditions before, so
it will be a testing time and plenty of teamwork will be required to
help see the group through.

One of the things which I'm looking forward to is meeting the Nepalese people and finding out more about this fascinating culture.

Along the way we'll be stopping at the Sherpa Heritage House, where each
member of the team will be blessed during a tea ceremony.

For me, Everest is a symbol of personal achievement over adversity and is the embodiment of man's exploration and pioneer spirit.

To be up close to this awesome natural wonder will be inspiring and
very humbling and the trip will no doubt be a real personal journey for
everyone, from start to finish.

I just can't wait...

ITINERARY...

THE ROUTE TO BASE CAMP...

October 25: Depart from UK
October 26: Arrive Kathmandu
October 27: Tour of Kathmandu, trek briefing
October 28: Fly to Lukla, trek to Phakding
October 29: Trek to Namche
October 30: Rest day
October 31: Trek to Khumjung, visit the Sherpa Heritage House
November 1: Trek to Thyangboche
November 2: Trek to Dingboche
November 3: Rest day Dingboche – trek to Chukung
November 4: Trek to Lobuche
November 5: Trek to Gorakshep and then hike to Kalapathar
November 6: Trek to Everest Base Camp and overnight at Gorakshep
November 7-13: Return trek and depart


Coverage sponsored by Cawley Financial Services Ltd


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