Conference Overview- EBC

October 1 - 21, 2009 En route through the Khumbu Valley, Nepal with Berg Adventures International  

Provides 18 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits accredited through the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS).  AMA PRA are recognized medical credits around the globe.  In addition this academic retreat offers 21.5 FAWM credit.

This travelling conference will take 18 medical professionals on a trek to Everest Base Camp experiencing the Khumbu Valley; home to some of the world’s tallest peaks and most unique medical facilities.

Both Johnson and Freer were featured by the BBC in a recent documentary on their efforts with the Everest Base Camp Medical Clinic.  Freer, the founder and Johnson, her colleague, have donated most April's since the clinic's launch in the spring of 2003, to manage the wave of climbers unable to make their goal of the planet's tallest peak.

Join Everest Base Camp Clinic Doctors Luanne Freer and Eric Johnson along with four time Everest summiter and National Geographic published photographer Wally Berg for a conference that will leave you enlightened and informed. 

Track & Trail is proud to be supporting the Himalayan Rescue Association from this experience.  A healthy percentage of conference proceeds will go to this non-profit, helping to fund not just the operations at Everest Base Camp but also a Sherpa Climbing School.  To learn more and support please visit their website

One of the items which make this CME/FAWM so unique is the conference venue - the Khumbu Valley of Nepal, home to Everest.  The lodge’s enroute feature a relaxed meeting space, meals and accommodations. Berg Adventures International (the expedition producers) - founder Wally Berg is to provide discussion around the practical side to approaching the mountain, safety and rescue background.  Complimenting the traditional in-class room discussions will be an in-the field workshop producing simulated patient rescue scenarios.

Medical professionals apart of this CME will spend two nights at Pumori Base Camp offering the chance to experience a truly unique conference setting.  Discussions at base camp will include four time Everest summiter Wally Berg and both Drs. Freer and Johnson.

“Wilderness Medicine Update on Everest” is unique in that the conference venue acts as a virtual “fourth faculty member,” and the setting of the Khumbu offers hands-on teaching that is unprecedented, to the best of our knowledge, in the current CME courses being offered.

This accredited curriculum’s highlights include pathophysiology, treatment and prioritization of care for a variety of medical problems commonly encountered in wilderness environments and settings remote from hospital/ definitive care. Physicians and allied health care providers who counsel patients traveling to remote areas will be interested in the topics covered during this unique CME event. Curriculum includes altitude safety, altitude risk reduction, recent recommendations on altitude-related illnesses prophylaxis, rescue strategies and ethics, as well as real Everest war stories- uncovering what it really takes to save a life in the high mountain environment. This will be achieved through didactic lectures, small-group discussions, hands-on training and scenario-based simulation.

For an outline to the curriculum please click HERE

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) and Track & Trail Adventures Inc.  The Wilderness Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation Statement: 

The Wilderness Medical Society designates this educational activity for a maximum of 18 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Full disclosure statement:

All faculty members participating in continuing medical education activities sponsored by Track & Trail Adventures Inc are expected to disclose to the participants any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the content of their presentation.  Full disclosure of faculty relationships will be made at the activity.

Price

Tuition price is set at $695 for 18 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits and up to 20.5 FAWM Credits from this meeting, accredited through the Wilderness Medical Society.

The Everest Camp trek produced by one of the world’s leading expedition producers Berg Adventures International.  The price for this three week adventure is $4195 (with all taxes) and includes:

1.    Transportation to and from airport in Kathmandu
2.    Flight, round-trip, to Lukla
3.    Lodge stays along the trail
4.    All group camp supplies, such as tents, stoves, etc.
5.    All meals while trekking
6.    Park fees and trekking permits
7.    Sherpas and guides
8.    Yak and porter transport of all personal and group equipment
9.    Hotels in Kathmandu
10.    Two nights at base camp (in tents)
11.    Farewell dinner

Land Costs Do Not Include:
1.    International round trip airfare
2.    Meals in Kathmandu (excluding welcome and farewell dinner)
3.    Personal gear (see gear list)
4.    Extra nights at base camp
5.    Excess baggage charges and airport taxes
6.    Personal Items (drinks, gifts, etc)
7.    Trip cancellation insurance
8.    Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of BAI & Track and Trail Adventures Inc
9.    Alcohol and Bottle Drinks

 **note, funds in US dollars

For a look at the suggested gear list please click here