The Data collection begins at Bangor February 14th

Menai Straits from the grounds of Bangor University - SEA LEVEL TESTS

Last weekend the first of the two data collection weekends took place at Bangor University. Their purpose being to collect sea level data prior to climbing to our Research camp at 5,000m at the foot of Larkya Peak to the north of Manaslu in the Nepal Himalaya. From there we will attempt the peak itself which is approximately 6,200m.

This was the first time our research team had come together. Sam Verges and his team from Grenoble had rented a cottage in Menai Bridge so were perfectly poised for both data weekends which are being hosted by the Department of Sports Science at Bangor University, North Wales.

James Anholm had flown in from California for the week to test and be tested. Jamie MacDonald and Sam Oliver's graduates and under-graduates, being based in Bangor, were out in force to measure vO2max and exercise rates in reduced oxygen environments.

Matt Bell was there to kick off the psychology project he is coordinating with Sue Paddon.

Next weekend the Porter Wellfare reseach team will be joining in to finalise their plans.

A small army of willing volunteer subjects turned up from Spain, Holland, France and, of course, all corners of the UK.

The George Building, Bangor University

There is always potential on these occasions for chaos when a whole bunch of relative strangers assemble for a tight schedule of testing. Jamie MacDonald and his team had, however, been hard at work planning every detail and the whole weekend went like clockwork.

Next weekend we will be assembling again at Bangor for more testing and packing of equipment and supplies ready for freighting to Kathmandu the following week.

With just 5 weeks to go until we depart spirits were running high and it was evident to me just how much everyone is looking forward to the next Medex adventure which starts at the end of March.

Go to this link For full lay descriptions of the projects being undertaken

For detailed project proposals go to the Medex Research page.

Entrance lobby of the George Building

James Anholm running his test on Chris Smith

Ben & Ruben

Team Grenoble hard at work in the lab doing echocardiography

Chris tells me this was part of her vigorous testing regimen