About Project Base8000
Based in Sydney, Australia, Emma and Trevor are avid high altitude adventurers. When not at home, they’re often found on an expedition somewhere in the Himalaya. Expeditions that come with both altitude and attitude!
After being on many expeditions exploring the world, the question was ‘what’s next’? Needing a new challenge and focus, they formed Project Base8000. The objective: trek to the base camps of all the world’s 14 highest mountains. These mountains, which are all over 8,000m (the “8000ers”), are located in the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges – Nepal, Pakistan and Tibet, China.
Inspiration for the project came from the mountaineering challenge to climb all the 8000ers, with Andrew Lock being the first (and only) Australian to complete the challenge. So we thought why not apply the concept to the trekking world and trek to the base camps of these mountains? With that, Project Base8000 was formed.
As we learned more and more about the 8000ers we were further inspired by other Australian mountaineers such as Zac Zaharias (first Australian ascents of Broad Peak and Dhaulagiri), Brigitte Muir (the first Australian woman to climb Mt Everest) and Christine Jensen Burke (the first NZ/Australian woman to climb K2).
In completing this challenge, and as far as we can ascertain, we’re the first non-mountaineers to trek to all of these base camps.
About Emma
Emma was born in New Zealand, with Australia now calling her as one of it’s own. Given that New Zealand is an outdoor adventure playground, Emma enjoyed ‘tramping’ in the volcanic North Island as well as exploring the Southern Alps.
Having developed a sense of adventure from a young age and encouraged by her family to travel the world and explore the outdoors, she progressed to the challenge of expedition life. Emma previously worked in the corporate world of banking and technology.
About Trevor
Trevor was born and bred in merino country, Western Australia. Previously having a sporting background, playing Aussie Rules, golf, tennis and field hockey, adventure trekking at altitude was a yet another active challenge.
He got a taste of high altitude trekking back in 2010 when on a trip to Borneo, climbing up Mt Kinabalu at just over 4,000m. Following a trek to Everest Base Camp in 2013 to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the first summit of Mt Everest, he has been hooked on the Himalaya ever since.
Trevor has also worked in the corporate world in sales and corporate marketing for various international software and data companies.
Both he and Emma are the creators of Cut Lunch Adventures, providing resources and tips for trekking adventures.
Why Project Base8000?
Emma and Trevor love expeditions amongst the big mountains. From the culture, scenery and sense of achievement, to meeting up with other like-minded adventurers along the way.
Trekking expeditions provide a powerful challenge both physically and mentally. There is nothing like being camped on the side of a mountain and miles from anywhere to bring you back to the basic essentials of life. There’s a spiritual aspect as well – having time to think, or not think – you come back knowing more about yourself and with some different perspectives on life.
This isn’t about box ticking, but rather to have an overall experience to look back on and encourage others to follow in their footsteps.
Support
Naturally a project of this magnitude wouldn’t be possible without the support of some important partners:
- Joe’s Basecamp – strength and fitness training
- Expedition Base, Climbalaya, The Mountain Company and Jasmine Tours – logistics and support
Project Base8000 supports the Australian Himalayan Foundation for health, education and the environment in Nepal, Bhutan and the Indian Himalaya. In Pakistan they support the Juniper Trust.
Awards
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