Devon girl guides set new heights

3:28pm Monday 17th September 2007

A GROUP of Girlguiding UK members from Devon are celebrating in the Himalayas after setting two ballooning world-firsts.

The 14-strong Everest '07 expedition team trekked over 100 miles to reach the foot of Everest and claimed the highest altitude inflation of any balloon and the highest recorded tethered balloon display.

The intrepid group, which also includes former Guiding members and five support trekkers, set the records by inflating and tethering a custom made Girlguiding UK hot air balloon at Syangboche, which sits at over 13,000 feet high. The record-breaking balloon inflation was made all the more difficult by adverse weather conditions and physical hindrances endured at that altitude.

The Girlguiding UK members, aged 18 to 22, have overcome a whole host of obstacles since their challenge, supported by Wrigley's Extra Ice, started on September 1.

Sustained periods of low cloud at Kathmandu Airport prevented the team from boarding an internal flight and reaching their starting point on schedule and a new itinerary had to be negotiated.

On top of the airport delays, the team also had to endure freezing temperatures and cope with the effects of altitude sickness, fatigue and lack of sleep. They are now beginning the descent phase of the Himalayan adventure before returning to the UK later in September.

Gill Slocombe, Chief Commissioner for Girlguiding South West, said: "We are immensely proud of each and every one of the girls who took part in the Everest '07 expedition.

"It truly is a once in a lifetime experience which the team met head on. They have been challenged both physically and mentally throughout the trek and have responded brilliantly.

"I was ecstatic to learn the team had reached the foot of Everest, and even more pleased to discover they had earned a number of ballooning world-firsts on route."