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Tom and the team on Mount Everest

25 Nov 2019

Loughborough lecturer to give talk on climbing Mount Everest

Dr Tom Matthews, a Lecturer in Climate Science, will be giving his talk ‘Going to Extremes: Climbing Everest to measure the weather’ on Wednesday (27 November).

Led by the National Geographic Society and Tribhuvan University in partnership with Rolex, Dr Matthews joined other scientists, storytellers and climbers for a two-month expedition to install five weather stations earlier this year.

Two of these weather stations, installed at South Col and on Everest’s ‘balcony’, are the highest in the world, with measurements reaching almost 8,500m above sea level.

The stations will help to research the effects of climate change on high-altitude Himalayan glaciers and will provide near-real-time weather data.

Tom will discuss the insights this data provides as well as the realities of climbing Everest during one of its most chaotic and deadly seasons to date.

On the upcoming talk, he said: “High Mountain Asia provides some of the most beautiful and dramatic landscapes on Earth, but it is an environment that is changing rapidly as temperatures rise and glaciers retreat.

“Our journey to the upper slopes of Everest in May 2019 was driven by the desire to gather data for improved understanding of what changes may still be to come.

“I look forward to sharing the story of this adventure - of pursuing science in this dramatic and unforgettable environment – with the audience at the lecture.”

The talk will be held on the University campus in Room U.0.20. (Brockington Extension) with light refreshments served from 5.30pm and the talk finishing at 7pm.

The event is free to attend for staff, students and members of the general public. Book your place online here.