altitude.org | Edinburgh Altitude Research Expedition 2009

The Edinburgh Altitude Research Expedition 2009 has entered its preparations for the final week before departure on Saturday 30th May. The expedition will be heading to Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, to investigate the epidemiology of altitude sickness, the effect of oxygen administration on the Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter at altitude, and will be performing a genetic study in collaboration with the University of British Columbia.

The research has been endorsed by Sir Chris Hoy, Reinhold Messner, Professor Francis Magingo and the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.

Sir Chris Hoy - Four times Olympic Champion

Sir Chris Hoy said “During 2007, I travelled to La Paz to attack two World Records on the highest sports stadium in the world, the El Alto velodrome, set at an altitude of 13,000 ft. Thanks to previous research into Altitude Sickness, our medical team was able to keep the whole team fit and healthy allowing me to set a new 500m Time Trial World Record. Without that knowledge and support, it would not have been possible. I wish the Edinburgh Altitude Research Team the best of luck with their expedition."

Reinhold Messner. Probably the world's greatest ever mountaineer.

Mr Messner, the first man to ascend Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen and the first climber to ascend all fourteen ‘eight-thousanders’ said 'I am personally very interested in knowing more about Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter and transcutaneous CO2 at altitude. I therefore wish the Edinburgh Altitude Research Expedition the best of luck.”

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland stated “We hope that your expedition is successful and that your research results will help to inform further research into the diagnosis and treatment of AMS”.

The route up Kilimanjaro showing the two stations to be used by the research team.

Led by Stewart Jackson, the team consists of six medical students from the University of Edinburgh. Three will be camping at the Mandara Huts (2700m), while the other three will be camping at the rather more hostile Kibo hits (4700m). The team will be recruiting subjects that are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and therefore hope to get an extremely large sample size.

The expedition has been supported by both monetary donations and the donation of equipment from several sources, to whom the expedition is extremely grateful. A full list of our sponsors can be seen at the bottom of this page.

If you wish to find out
more about the research
or the expedition,
contact Stewart Jackson
Last updated 25th May 2009

Edinburgh Altitude Research Expedition 2009

Get progress reports from the expedition