Led by Devon Spooner and former Royal Marines Major, Paul Mattin, our inaugural Everest Challenge Team will trek through the Sagarmatha National Park, along the fabled paths to Namche, Everest Base Camp and the Cho La Pass. Along their trip they will have to endure flying into the world's most frightening airstrip at Lukla village, battle through altitude sickness, dehydration, exposure and the Khumbu cough whilst picking their way through mountain passes, glacier trails and the ancient monasteries of the Khumbu valley region.

As well as raising funds for Wooden Spoon the team will be teaching touch-rugby to school children at 3,500m above sea-level and crucially they'll pave the way for similar major challenges in the future.

The team will leave on the 30th September and will not return until the 24th October, with the trekking taking place between the 3rd-21st October. Wish them luck, and keep an eye on the website, facebook and twitter for updates and look forward to the stories to come!

2/10/11

- 'A warm but sporadically monsoony Kathmandu greeted the team of 10 Wooden Spoon trekkers this weekend. All arrived with tales to tell from their camel-rides to reach this extraordinary place, and within a very short while lamps were swinging and the Everest Beer disappearing. Two nights have been had in the famous Yak and Yeti hotel, but as I write - al...arms are set for 0400 and our hair-raising 16-seater flight into the mountain start-point of Lukla village (at 2800m). Morale is high, bellies full, kit packed and expectations set. Eighteen days of incredible trekking amongst the world's highest peaks await us! Bring it on!'

Paul Mattin, Team Leader, Wilderness Solutions Ltd and Devon Spoon member.

6/10/11

The Wooden Spoon Explorers have reached Namche (3450m)

- 'Today (5 Oct) the Spoon Everest Adventurers reached the legendary high altitude bazaar-town of Namche, at 3450 meters above sea level. A key milestone in their journey to Everest, the team is acclimatizing and bonding to great effect. Our brave lads and ladies are waking each morning to the dulcet tones of Sherpa porters delivering steaming mugs of tea; "tally-ho commando"…. a chant acquired from a previous expedition (all very amusing). The past 2 days have seen them yomping along the white-water of the Dhud Koshi river - and they've now gained some 700m in altitude since flying into the unbelievably precarious Lukla air strip. Huckering-down each night in small mountain lodges, tucking-in to Dahl Baht (Nepalese Curry) of an evening - and dishing out decibel's of banter over card games and …even more tea; they're preparing for the high altitude challenges ahead. Everest Base Camp, the summit of Kala Pattar, Cho La Pass and Gokyo Ri are their targets…. and they're well on track! Please sponsor their efforts and add to their sponsorship pots - through http://www.justgiving.com/Wooden-Spoon-linklaters-everestchallenge "

Paul Mattin - Expedition Leader, Lord of the Dance, Prince of Swimwear

10/10/11

Evening of 10 October and the crew are playing cards, reading paperbacks and throwing gear into bags ahead of the coming push onto the Khumbu Glacier (Everests river of ice) We are on excellent form. Morale is exceptionally high and most encouragingly, our bodies are holding up extremely well. Altitude sickness is our enemy up here, and at 4250m above sea-level this sparsity of air can knock even the fittest trekker for six. But - with careful pacing and diligent hydration, our team have remained healthy and strong for the coming challenges. We've seen Everest already (and it's huge!) - but we now approach it's legendary glacier, base-camp and our own wee peak; Kala Patthar (5600m) Game on. It's going to be extremely hard - but all are focussed and determined to see this challenge through. There'll be little comms over the next few days, so sat-phone messages will be the order of the day - with luck we'll be beneath the world's greatest natural wonder in days few! Wish us luck and please drop a few more pennies in our bucket!

Yours, Paul Mattin, Exped Leader, scaler of Mountains and aficionado of fines wines and cheeses

24/10/11

We made it!

All sat in Kathmandu Airport - sweating somewhat; both at the possibility of a delay into India but (and more literally) through the heat of the day. We've had a ball! We flew out of the Khumbu Region on Friday and have partied, relaxed (incl an excellent team massage!) and eaten like lords ever since.

The Crew are on excellent form. Indeed they're only now slowing down their post-everest jabberings and are easing out of their altitude 'high'. And proud they should be. The team climbed the equivalent height of Mount Everest (8850m) during the venture & walked just shy of 150km! They've raised significant funds for Spoon Charities, taught Tag-Rugby at the (4000m high) Sir Edmund Hillary School in Khumjung, crossed the fabled ChoLa Pass and stood at the foot of the mightiest peaks in the world! Not bad for a bunch of old have-been rugby enthusiasts! Oh, and we caught the World Cup Final too. We've all lost weight, grown beards, shared incredible experiences and made friends for life!

Paul Mattin, Exped Leader, amateur invisible bear wrestler and all round good-egg