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Hospital Corpsman First Class Logan Ortlieb from the U.S. Naval
Medical Research Unit No. 6 – Peru (NAMRU-6) trekked to the base
camp of one of the tallest mountains in the world – Mt. Everest,
March 2017. “I am always looking for something to push me out of my
comfort zone and push me to be a better person; climbing at 18,000
feet is great way to test your mental strength,” said Ortlieb.
After 36 hours of travel, Ortlieb and his eight trekking
companions from all over the world, including people from England,
Brazil, Norway, New Zealand and the U.S. arrived in Lukla, Nepal,
where they began their 13-day journey to reach Mt. Everest base
camp.
“After landing in Lukla, I remember the feeling I had
when I saw my first 6000 meter mountain in the Himalayas. That was
the moment I knew it was game time and there was no turning back,”
said Ortlieb.
Through mountains, trees, villages and more,
Ortlieb and his group made a total trek over 77 miles in extreme
conditions, such as high altitude, low oxygen levels, and extreme
temperature changes.
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Hospital Corpsman First Class Logan Ortlieb, U.S. Naval Medical
Research Unit No. 6 – Peru, trekked to Mt. Everest Base Camp, with
eight trekking companions during March 2017. (Photo provided by
Hospital Corpsman First Class Logan Ortlieb)
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“This is often the first true test of an individual’s
will before he or she attempts to summit Everest,” said
Ortlieb.
The group traveled an average of seven
hours a day, gaining between 500 to 1000 meters in elevation
with each passing day. Acclimatization rest days are
important when it comes to trekking a mountain like Everest.
Due to the high elevation and low oxygen levels, the body
needs time to acclimatize and recuperate in order to avoid
acute mountain sickness, which can have fatal consequences.
Ortlieb and his group spent acclimatization rest
days in Namche Bazaar, a small village in Nepal, as well as
Tengboche, a small village in Khumjung located in the Khumbu
region of northeastern Nepal. Tengboche is home to a
Buddhist monastery, Tengboche Monastery,Ortlieb experienced
the local way of life, and had the opportunity to meditate
with monks at the monastery.
The incredibly arduous
trek to reach Everest base camp would soon become one of the
most challenging things Ortlieb has ever done.
“The
harsh terrain, the lack of oxygen, and the weather were all
obstacles to team success. In the morning before the sun
came over the mountains, we were in freezing weather
conditions with driving wind and snow, as soon as the light
touches you, the temperature goes from freezing to 60�F,
with the intense sunlight making it feel like it was
95-100�F. The constant change from shade to sunshine made
our day-pack heavy with layers that we constantly put on and
off as we moved from sunlight to shadow and back again.”
As with any major accomplishment, the feeling of
tackling a challenge can be overwhelming.
“When we
made it to base camp, the feeling of satisfaction was
difficult to hide and we were all emotional. The mental and
physical challenges we put ourselves through were worth
every grueling step when we all finally stood as a team on
the icefall at the base of Mt. Everest. We all cheered and
congratulated one another. It was an individual
accomplishment for me, but we were there as a team,” said
Ortlieb.
A lover of the outdoors, he gained his
interest in mountaineering after he was stationed at
NAMRU-6.
“My first time trekking was what really
made me interested, it was for my birthday – I made the
famous Huayhuash trek, one of the most challenging and
breathtaking treks in South America. People come from all
over the world to adventure on this 14-day journey; passing
over mountains, blue lagoons, and camping in valleys. I was
hooked,” said Ortlieb.
Ortlieb joined the Navy in
June, 2008. He has been stationed at USNH Rota Spain, and he
served aboard the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG51) before being
stationed at NAMRU-6 in September 2014.
“All of my
military education and training paid off for this
expedition. The concentration, courage, and physical
training I've learned in the Navy, particularly the mental
and physical rigors of ship and sea duty, prepared me well
for the mental and physical challenges of this Everest
base-camp trek.”
The Navy taught Ortlieb to live and
work as a member of a team; whether on ship or shore, the
team accomplishes the mission together. Ortlieb plans to
conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents – Everest
(Asia), Aconcagua (South America), Denali (North America),
Kilimanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Europe), Kosciuszko
(Australia), and Vinson (Antarctica).
“I have come to love the ocean from all of my deployments, but I
want to help show the world and the military community that the U.S.
Navy is not only a superior sea fighting force, but our sailors can
do anything from the depths of the ocean to the top of the world,”
said Ortlieb. If there is a way I can represent the Navy by setting
these goals and conquering them, it would be my honor.”
NAMRU-6, a subordinate command to the Naval Medical Research Center
in Silver Spring, Maryland, conducts biomedical research in the
field of infectious diseases and global health. NAMRU-6’s mission is
to deliver life-saving products such as knowledge, technology, and
medical materiel to sustain the effectiveness of the uniformed
service members through respectful cooperation with various
collaborators./p>
Courtesy Story by Naval Medical Research Center
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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