Exam results on Everest

Yorkshire Cadets receive exam results on Everest!

There will not be many youngsters who will have received their A level and CGSE results a considerable distance up the foothills of Mount Everest. However, several members of the team which includes Officers, Instructors and Cadets from the Army Cadet Force (ACF) and Air Training Corps (ATC), across Yorkshire and the Humber were fortunate enough to do just that.

Last week team members including Sergeant Katie Taylor of Harrogate ATC, Corporal Alex Nottage of Easingwold ATC and Warrant Officer Luke Smith of Brough ATC Squadrons received their results when they were at Namche Bazaar at a height of 3340 metres. In addition Luke also leaned that he had been offered a place to train as a pilot with the Royal Air Force.

Not to be outdone cadets who received their GCSE results did so on Kala Patthar, a peak overlooking Everest base Camp and at a height of 5604 metres, some 18,000 feet. They included Corporal Tom Mpande of Strensall ACF detachment, who gained 10 passes with 6 at A grade, Bombardier Gemma Roberts of Barton ACF detachment who gained 5 A passes and 6 A star passes, Corporal David Lloyd of Doncaster ACF detachment - 11 passes and Corporal Matt Carr of Wetherby ATC Squadron - 10 passes. To say they were on top of the world with their results is something of an understatement!

The team left from Kathmandu on 4^th August to trek through Nepal starting at Jiri, visiting Namche Bazaar and mystical Tengboche Gompa, one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in the world. It was here that climbing expeditions pause to be blessed on their way to Everest. They have reached the highest point at Kala Patthar, which is the highlight of the trip.

Carrying just a light pack they climbed the ridge above Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar from where they had a panoramic view of Mount Everest, the base camp and the infamous Khumbu Ice Fall before returning to lower altitudes. It also snowed on them today on the summit and the training they carried out at Easter proved useful. The team have trekked during the day and stayed at tea houses on the route which so far has proved an interesting experience for the cadets and adults alike who have never been to this part of the world.

The expedition is being supported by the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Yorkshire and the Humber, together with the Yorkshire Cadet Trust.

The Army Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps are voluntary youth organisations, sponsored by the Army and the Royal Air Force respectively, for boys and girls between the age of 13 and 18:, whose aim is to develop character-building qualities of good citizenship, leadership and service in the cadets.

They have Detachments and Squadrons all over Yorkshire and the Humber and interested boys or girls are invited to join or visit any of our units where they will be made welcome, or further information can be obtained by visiting our Websites at http://www.armycadets.com/ or http://www.aircadets.org/