“Our bodies will literally be dying”: What Everest does to your health

In October, Paul ‘The Chief’ Harragon, along with a group of former NRL players will be trekking to Everest Base Camp for the Mark Hughes Foundation to raise much needed funds to fight brain cancer.

But, just how tough is the hike up the mountain?

In the 2015 blockbuster Everest, character Rob Hall sets an ominous scene.

“Human beings simply aren't built to function at the cruising altitude of a 747. Okay, once we get above here, above the South Col, our bodies will be literally dying. And I mean literally dying.”

Although our group isn't climbing to the top of the summit like the guys in the movie, the trek to Base Camp will still test the human body.

We’ve put together some facts on what trekking Everest really does to your body – and it’s not for the faint-hearted.

For more on the trek, check out our article, Why we’re tackling Everest with the Mark Hughes Foundation to find a cure for brain cancer and head to the Donate Now page to where you can make a difference in the fight against brain cancer.