- Get some strong SPF sunscreen as the sun is very strong when up in the mountains. Try to get at least 50+. I used 30+ and it wasnt enough to stop me getting badly burnt on my nose and hands. When we trekked it was cloudy but high up in the mountains, the sun is very strong.
- Take a supply of diamox with you. Medical opinion is divided about using Diamox as it can hide the effects of altitude mountain sickness. It worked for myself and my husband though. Seek some advice on this. It can make your chin and cheeks numb as well as give you pins and needles in your legs and fingers.
- Again medical opinion is divided on the use of ibuprofen/nurofen and paracetamol regarding altitude headaches. Doctors/guides and other trekkers told us different things. We used both paracetamol and Ibuprofen on 2 occasions and it helped. Again seek some advice on this.
- Try and stay awake during the day, dont go to sleep as this makes altitude sickness worse. As much as you dont feel like taking the day hikes DO THEM! - they help so much with acclimatisation
- If you stay in teahouses - beware they are FREEZING!!! even in summer. It is the Himalaya region after all. I slept in as many layers as I could including beanie/gaiter/fleece/leggings and tracksuit pants and I felt fine.
- Bring good gear - basic thermal layer, fleece and gortex jacket, beanie, gaiter, gloves and walking poles. Good hiking socks are a must, especially at night when it is cold.
- Bring alot of snacks - lollies/mars bars/muesli bars etc etc
- Drink plenty of fluids - again medical opinion is divided on this. I tried to have about 4L/day at high altitude and this helped a lot with headaches
- Bringing a hot water bottle is an excellent idea and take it to bed with you and use it for cold spots!
- Water is very expensive the higher you go. Try and purify your water with tablets. You can get them from the pharmacy in Kathmandu or at home before you go.
- We were not approached by Maoists at all during our trek and we trekked base camp during the election period in Nepal (April 2008)
- We were able to change 1000 rupee notes with no problem at all.
Tips for hiking to Everest Base Camp
re:cold.
Just bring along the best goose down sleeping bag you can get- a minus 20 test if possible.
Tips for hiking to Everest Base Camp
Can you give some insight as to the difficulty of the trek itself as compared to the Inca Trail, Kilimanjaro, or Aconcagua? Thanks! Much appreciated.
I%26#39;ve never been to any of those other places.
If you take a practice trek and walk for five miles with a thirty pound pack on your back without major problems, and climb a few hills in the process, you should do just fine.
Trekking the inca trail is quite intense and strenuous. The trail is bascially up and down for 4 days with days lasting 9 hours, 7 hours, 6 hours and 3 hours consecutively. Heading down is steep, slippery and very hard work. Not good for the knees!
Everest is not hard trekking at all - there are many flat sections, some high passes and a bit of steep terrain but nothing in comparison to inca trail....it all comes down to altitude when you trek to EBC. It is hard to breathe as the oxygen levels drop to 50% less than at sea level. The tree line disappears at 4000m above sea level and you reallt notice the difference.
Altitude does not affect everyone. You never know what is going to happen until you get there.
bring baby wipes
i thought base camp trek was way harder than inca trail
base camp is doable for anyone, but its not easy
All
Myself and a few friends want to do both everest base camp and inca trail.
Can anyone give me information on both with respect to....
What operators to use and expected cost? i think we intend to take around 17days (ish) for each trip
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
cheers!
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