LIFE changing! That was the verdict from a West Devon man and woman following their once in a lifetime journey to Everest Base Camp for charity. Jamie Ingle from Crapstone set off for the trip in aid of Cot Death Research, while Rebecca Harwood from Meavy made the trek in aid of the Wooden Spoon Charity. They joined a party of 15 for the 19 days of trekking and 17 nights camping in the wilderness under canvas – returning with memories to last a lifetime. They arrived at Lukla airport, a town in the Khumbu region of eastern Nepal, screeching to a halt on a 500 metre runway. They trekked high above the treeline for an ascent of the mountain Kala Patthar with a team of Jopies, a beast which is half yak and half cow. Porters and sherpers helped them throughout the journey. The group managed to walk to the highest point of Kala Patthar, at an oxygen-grabbing height of 5,500 meters. When they came back down they had a break for coffee and decided that five members from the group would set off and walk to the base camp. During this most challenging section of the journey, Jamie and Rebecca had to run and find somewhere to hide after they were caught in one of three sand storms. This proved to be just the tip of the iceberg however, when they had to run and jump to get out the way of falling boulders. Jamie said: 'It took us 14 hours to do both mountains – something every book and person said is rare. 'The most experienced and strong walkers even said "It's not possible" —which made me more determined to do it. It is really unheard of. 'We even went further than normal to find a helicopter which had crashed, as I was doing this in aid of cot death and needed to prove I was really there. Jamie, who is a barman at the Burrator Inn, raised around £2,000 via sponsorship for the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths. Jamie's twin brother died from Cot Death Syndrome. He said: 'We trekked all through the Himalayas and my favourite mountain was Kala Patthar. 'It was fantastic. Mind blowing. I have never seen anything like it. 'It was the biggest thing I could do. Definitely life changing. 'I had my doubts if I would be able to do it, what it would be like and if I would become ill while I was over there — just the general worries but I was very determined. 'I really recommend it to anyone. It has changed my whole outlook on life and people. 'Next I would like to go off to Kenya — just get a one way ticket and go and experience different cultures while I can!' Rebecca, who works for estate agents Mansbridge and Balment, raised more than £700 for the Wooden Spoon Charity, a rugby charity supporting mentally, physically and socially disadvantaged children and young people. She said: 'I chose this charity because my brother Mark had dyslexia and through his schooling and social activities, he got to mix with children who had severe disabilities and he extremely enjoyed doing so. 'I found the trip a life changing experience and it has given me the bug to travel more, having just booked an around the world flight ticket, though I'm not too sure what adventure I could do to beat Everest Base Camp. 'I would say the Hamalayas is the land of dreams and it was so beautiful. 'The people that we met were fantastic and I am sure they will stay friends for many years to come.'
