Region: Himalaya - India

David Hall with Richard Benson, Richie Dargie, Nikki van Gemeren, Stewart Jackson, Nicky Salmon, Kirsty Steggles, David Veitch, Maddy Whitehouse and Rob Young (June-July 2008)

This group of medical students originally intended to carry out its research in Pakistan, but transferred to India when the political situation there became threatening. Their aim was to investigate the cognitive effects of altitude – particularly Reaction Times - while undertaking a high level traverse in an under-explored region of the Zanskar Himalaya, a task that was achieved with great success, although it will take some time to analyse all the results. The traverse entailed the team – complete with pack horses - crossing two high passes, Shingo La (5049m) and Phitse La (5560m) and culminated in a classical Himalayan climb (without the horses!) of Friendship Peak (5289m).