The Everest Test 2009 involved the organisation of a Guinness world record setting cricket match at Everest Base camp. ‘Cricket on Everest’ started with an idea amongst friends and ended with a world record at 5,165m above sea level. After two years of fundraising, training and organisation, 50 people travelled to the remote settlement of Gorak Shep in the Everest region of the Himalayas and played the highest game of sport ever played – a game of full-format TwentyTwenty Cricket.
The two year complex logistical project provided Victoria’s first experience of a major expedition, and her first foray into global projects of a grand scale. The Everest Test provided a hugely challenging starting point for her career. The idea captured the imagination of people around the globe, making front page news in several countries, it was followed by millions through daily TV news updates and the expedition raised over £100,000 for charity. The team was joined by 4 expedition doctors who all specialised in high altitude medicine, 2 full cricket teams with reserves, 3 fully qualified umpires and a team of ‘trektators’ who were an integral part of the fundraising events, training and organisation of the challenge. 2 tonnes of kit and equipment were freighted to Kathmandu and then to Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region and the start of the trek to Gorak Shep.
The backdrop of the world’s tallest mountain, Everest, and playing the game on an ancient frozen lake bed certainly provided a cricket match to remember. The Guiness Book of Records officially endorsed our Cricket Match as the highest altitude game of Cricket ever played.
Victoria has an extraordinary passion for what she is doing and an excellent eye for detail. Combine these with her strong work ethic and she has the ability to help any project maximise its potential. Working together on the breakthrough Everest Test Expedition in 2009 enabled us to support the expedition leaders and achieve a world first. The next logical step for Victoria is to move on to running her own expeditions, something at which I am sure she will be highly successful.