Namas Adventure 12/21/18 Namas Adventure 12/21/18

15 Important things to know about Everest Base Camp

15 IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT

EVEREST BASE CAMP

Climbing Everest Base Camp has been an iconic destination for many adventure travelers. I have had the luxury of traveling to Everest base camp since it was on my dream adventure list before heading into higher mountains. Through my experience of trekking solo and other times guiding with fellow Sherpa leaders, I want to share some valuable tips that will make your trip easier.

Tips are in no particular order, they are just written down as I learned them through my experience.

1. Bring cash USD and Rupees

If you have booked your tour with a travel/tour agencies then all your necessary expenses are covered. But you would want to bring in extra cash just in case you want to buy anything that is not included in your package (ie alcohol, chocolate, or energy bars). If you are traveling solo then Nepalese rupees is a must, I would recommend around (Rs 1 Lakh 50 thousand or $1500). You want to make sure you have enough cash to tip your guides and porters and for any unplanned events.

2. Get insurance

Buying normal travel insurance and travel insurance for Everest base camp is hugely different. You will be standing at 5,644.5 m (18,519 ft) above sea level and on top of that, you are traveling to one of the most remote and rugged regions on Earth. There is no vehicle roads there so the only option is helicopter evacuation or the other option is a painful Dzo/mule ride down the terrains. High altitude-related illness, accidents, diarrhea, cough, and natural disasters like avalanches and rockfalls, are expected while trekking in Everest Base Camp. My best suggestion is to get the travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation, repatriation, and independent trekking (if you are going solo) up to 6000 m (18,510 ft) and higher if you are doing side trips to Mt Lobuche, Mera, or Island Peak. It is very important to spend some time going over terms and conditions that could ease the process should you need to claim it back.

3. Flight to Lukla and buffer days ( Very important )

Weather conditions in the Himalayas can change rapidly and aviation schedules are not as reliable as you might expect. The flight between Kathmandu and Lukla where the Everest Base Camp trek starts is frequently delayed and maybe canceled for the day or several days in succession. In the event your flight is canceled you will need to either rebook your flight for the following day or attempt to get you on a chartered helicopter. You are responsible for the extra costs of helicopter flights which might be $250 - $400 per person or more. If you end up taking a helicopter instead of your flight you can ask for a refund of $150 of the flight fare. A similar case applies when you want to return from Lukla to Kathmandu. If you have booked your trip with travel/tour agencies like ours then the reps from the company should give you these options and take care of the refund amounts.

This happened to me when I was at Lukla, waiting for my flights back to Kathmandu. Flights were canceled due to poor weather. Some people were stuck in Lukla for 2 days waiting with no way out. If they had to fly the next day home, they would have missed their flight. So we chartered the helicopter to get back to Kathmandu.

Best seat - Sit at either the front or back of the plane on the left-hand side when flying to Lukla for best views. The Himalayas are on the left and the front and back are not obscured by the wings of the plane. Sit here for your first glimpse of Mount Everest before your trek. It will help to build excitement and the view is awe-inspiring.

4. Buy the right gear. ( Do not compromise on quality gears)

I highly suggest you buy the right clothing and gear before coming to Nepal. But even if you forget or wish you do not want to carry all those loads all the way then everything you could possibly need to climb to Everest Base Camp is available in Nepal. If you need it or forgot it, you can get it in Kathmandu. Check out our gear checklist blog.

5. Filtered water bottle

I cannot stress enough the importance of a filtered water bottle when coming to Nepal. You do not want to be buying plastic water bottles every time so instead, use bottles like (Life-straw or similar brands) which I find it is a lifesaver where ever I go in Nepal. Save the environment by not using plastic bottles and save money by using water from natural sources.

6. Pack a map and books to read

You will want to reference regularly, check altitude symptoms, illnesses, your route, and what to expect. Trekking to base camp takes several days and it can get a little boring at times. You may only have the energy to lay in bed and read a book, so bring a good one. You can buy books in Kathmandu and at Namche Bazaar.

7. Hand-wipes and sanitizer.

Showering is really not recommended in high altitude cold temperatures. You won't be showering much. Nobody does on Everest after their fifth day of the trek or until their 11th day. Showers are not very appealing at -10 degrees Celcius and you won’t be getting proper shower facilities after Namche Bazaar. Hand wipes and hand sanitizer are lifesavers, keeps you clean and smelling fresh.

8. Give ways to Yaks and Sherpa's at all times and traffic on trails

When trekking a yak train comes, move to the mountainside to get out of the way. You don't want to be nudged off a cliff by a yak or get hit by one. Sherpa's and porters work hard on the Everest trail, they are constantly taking supplies up and down the mountain. Help make their life easier by staying out of their way.

Everest trail is one of the most famous trails in Nepal and during the peak season the region welcomes around 15 - 20 thousand travelers. So you should expect a bit of traffic and don’t be surprised by so many travelers. The busiest month is April as it is the only time for mountain expeditions so a lot of mountain climbers will be heading up the route and October is another busiest month. So, if you want to avoid traffic plan your trek around early March, September, or towards November and December.

9. Keep batteries close to your body.

Sleep with them in your sleeping bags. Charging batteries is very expensive per hour (almost $5 per hour) The cold drains batteries quickly, extends their life by keeping them warm. Charges for batteries near or below Namche Bazaar 100-150 NPR/hour – Closer to Base Camp 300 NPR/hour

10. Everest viewpoints

Mount Everest, Nuptse, Ama Dablam seen in background

Everest is only visible from a few points during the Everest Base Camp trek. On your acclimatization day at Namche make sure you take the acclimatization hike to Everest view point hotel for an amazing panoramic view of Everest and other Himalayan ranges. Tengboche is another site from where the tip of Everest will be visible and the finally the mighty walk to Kalapatthar where the long stretch of Everest and Himalayas are right in front of you. Hike early and take your photos in the early hours for your memories to last forever.

11. Rewards yourself give yourself a few days after the trek before you have to fly home.

After you have walked all that way, you might as well encourage and reward yourself. After my Everest Base Camp trek, I stayed in a beautiful, cozy Dwarikas Resort in Dhulikhel with a hot shower, super comfy bed, massage, and a moment to myself. It added a sense of fulfillment, happy energy, excitement to see more, reflect, and added encouragement to explore higher mountains. I feel it is important to encourage and motivate yourself to do the things you want to do and once you accomplish it, reward and enjoy yourself. The entire journey of the Everest base camp trail is an experience in itself. There is something to admire about every turn. The regions monasteries, cultivated fields, grazing yaks, hot momos, Dal Bhat overlooking stunning mountains, the experience of trekking the rugged terrains with giant mountains, the view from Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar, smiles of the locals, to fellow trekkers. Slow down every now and again to look around and take in the giant mountains, gorge, river, shops, homes, and life that all happens right along the path. There is nowhere else in the world like it.

12. Respect local culture

During trekking, you are exposed to new cultures and traditions. A lot of the way of doing things won’t be your way of doing so go with an open mind. When trekking Prayer rocks, walls and flags are meant to be kept to the right at all times. Also, ask before taking any photographs, many people do not want their photos taken.

13. Back to basics

I would highly suggest not to rely on WIFI or internet connections. Firstly wifi connection is very slow after Tengboche and expensive. 500 MB costs Rs 500 ($5) which to my experience is just not worth it. The other thing to keep in mind is that charging your phone will also cost you and the prices increases, the higher you go the higher the prices. So, staying out of touch with the post of the world and just living the experiences and not worrying about anything would be the best way to enjoy the trek. You may have the urge to share everything in that moment but this is the perfect moment to be in nature and allow yourself a digital detox, which is healthy for your mind and body.

14. Physically demanding than you think.

The terrains of the Everest region is raw and rugged. Reaching the lap of Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth, is not easy but definitely doable with the right training preparations and will. Read our blog post on training for trekking in Nepal. It isn't recommended if you have knee problems or weak ankles because of steep ascents and descents, rocky paths, a lot of rock steps, and some moraine walking. Plus, people carrying significant extra weight are likely to struggle with this trek at altitude.

15. Prepare for altitude sickness.

Make sure you take the acclimatization rest day and the acclimatization hike day. There are fewer ways to prepare yourself for high altitude, so the rest days in your itineraries are a must. Please read our blog post on altitude sickness.

I hope the pointer listed above will help you when preparing for your Everest base camp trek. You have made one of the best decisions and you will not be disappointed, that I can promise. Stay healthy and fit. Enjoy your adventure and take lots of pictures. This will be a memory for a lifetime. Who knows you might be inspired to go higher and go on other challenging adventures.

If you do have any more questions, please ask us below in the comment section or you can email us at bookings@namasadventure.com and our team will get back to you as soon as they can.

Stay well. Challenge yourself. Dare great things and live your story.

Namas Adventure 7/6/16 Namas Adventure 7/6/16

Everest Base Camp (to one day the Summit!)

Reaching the summit of the highest mountain in the world is not an easy feat. But then again nothing ambitious and foolhardy ever is. If success came easy in life, then it would not be called success. Nor would it be worthwhile the attempt. To accomplish anything, one needs to be willing to give, a little more than usual, and the greater the ambition, the more you have to give.

But we are a tenacious bunch, hence why we have been able to put a man on the moon. With skill, courage, and determination we have traversed the world and conquered the sky, the earth, and the oceans. The invention of writing, the internet, and antibiotics have altered life as we know it, and on the 10th of December 1948, the Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly, which declared all men (and women) to be equal and free to pursue their own right to happiness.

It is in our nature to make possible the impossible. Therefore, despite the herculean strength and effort, alongside the time (70 days) and expenses ($30,000-$70,000), required to climb Mount Everest, around 800 plus individuals attempt to climb the summit annually. Many fail and some failures are fatal, but the hold Mount Everest continues to have on our dreams, our goals and our imagination persist. For mountaineers, Mount Everest is the ultimate goal.

However, you don’t have to be a mountaineer or necessarily climb the summit to enjoy Mount Everest. The Himalayan trek to the foot of the highest mountain on Earth, otherwise known as Everest Base Camp, is a slightly less demanding and more achievable alternative for amateur climbers and intrepid adventurers who wish to get close to the rooftop of our world.

Trekker in Everest region. Image by : Range finder

The trek is considerably less in duration (2 weeks) and expenses ($1000-$2500) but the experience is still as rich and rewarding. The route will first take you through the heart of the Khumbu region where you will be able to acclimatize and appreciate the local culture, before taking you further up past smaller villages until you reach the base camp. Alongside the local Nepali culture, you will also have plenty of opportunities to experience the unique Sherpa culture by visiting monasteries and museums along the way. You will share your journey with fellow like-minded trekkers, porters and plenty of yak and cattle herders, while every step of the way the most breath-taking and grandest views on Earth will serenade you in all its beauty.

Nevertheless, the trek, although not as difficult as the climb to the summit, is not a walk in the park. To put this into perspective: Everest summit is 8,850 m, while Everest Base Camp is 5,340 m high and in any book 5,340 m is still steep! Furthermore, the length of the trek is around 40 miles, therefore, to arrive at the base in lieu with the schedule, trekkers will be required to walk three to six hours every day at high altitude (it is recommended that all trekkers prepare by doing some form of cardiovascular training several times a week two to six months before their expedition).

But the trek is not a competition, therefore the pace will not be brisk. Rather, the route to Everest Base Camp is a route especially created for personal enjoyment. If you enjoy walking, then your days will be filled with walking for the sheer pleasure of it. If it’s adventure that you seek, then the climb through stunning forests, rivers and swaying suspension bridges should more than satisfy your fearless soul. Whether you live to accumulate unique experiences, or live to accomplish personal achievements, the fact that the trek to Everest Base Camp takes you to the base of the highest mountain in the world should surely be worth the attempt. And who knows, once you get there you might even decide to attempt for the summit!

The world is your oyster. Work hard, dream big and succeed.

If you do have any more questions, please ask us below in the comment section or you can email us at bookings@namasadventure.com and our team will get back to you as soon as they can.

Stay well. Challenge yourself. Dare great things and live your story.

Written by Dina Rai.