A team of 50 intrepid explorers, which include lawyers, medics and city workers from around the UK will be split into two opposing sides, ‘Team Hillary’ captained by Glen Lowis and ‘Team Tenzig’ captained by Hayden Main. Together, they will make the gruelling nine day trek through the Himalayas up to Everest Base Camp to a plateau of 5,165 metres, named Gorak Shep where the cricket match will be played on the frozen lakebed.
All members of the Nokia Maps Everest Test will use the Nokia N79 and N85 handset, which has the latest Nokia Maps application, powered by sports tracker. This will allow member’s location to be tracked as well as see their average heart rate and daily blog entry. Their song playlist will also be listed at www.theeveresttest.com With Nokia Maps 3.0 soon to be released with better maps than ever before, enhanced Drive and Walk navigation and synchronisation with Ovi Maps, individuals will be able find their way to any location in the world.
The trekkers will be exposed to the extreme effects of altitude where it will be dangerous enough for climbers, let alone those undertaking 20 overs of a vigorous game of cricket. Breathing at this altitude will be similar to breathing through a straw, and months of training has been invested to ensure every team member reaches Everest Base Camp fully prepared for what lies ahead. The climbers resting heart rate will increase by 30% due to the extreme altitude.
To add to the eccentric and quintessentially British nature of the expedition, the date of the Twenty20 cricket match (the 21st April) will fall on the same day as the Queen’s birthday. In celebration of this, on completion of the match, cups of tea will be drunk and British flag will be raised in her honour.
The Nokia Maps Everest Test team will further stop on their ascent of Mount Everest to teach cricket to the children of Khumjung, as well as donate their cricket kit upon their descent.
England captain, Andrew Strauss commented: “ I hope everyone joins me in supporting the Nokia Maps Everest Test, as they attempt to set the world record for the highest altitude game of cricket. I look forward to the team’s exploits and also the funds raised for the charitable causes”.
Richard Kirtley, Expedition leader of The Nokia Maps Everest Test said: “This is one of the biggest physical challenges that anyone of us will have undertaken. We are all just ordinary people, taking that extra step to achieving something extra-ordinary”.
Individuals who want to follow The Nokia Maps Everest Test or make a donation to the supporting charities can do so by visiting www.theeveresttest.com