Everest Base Camp questions

Hello,

I%26#39;m off to Everest Base Camp in a month or so and will be making the journey from about 6th November to the 18th November. It%26#39;s going to be the first time I%26#39;ve done anything like this, I%26#39;m pretty fit (run 50 miles a week), but it%26#39;s the first time I%26#39;ll have gone that high. Naturally, I%26#39;ve got a couple of questions, so if anyone can provide any advice that would be great.

1. How cold is it going to get in the day%26#39;s/nights in the first few weeks of Novemeber? The tour I%26#39;m with will be sleeping in teahouses - how could does it get in these at night?

2. How do things like Laundry normally work on these treks? Obviously there is an incentive to travel as light as possible, but access to laundry would determine how many items of underwear etc. I take.

3. Are there any top-tips that you%26#39;ve come across for things that are worth taking. Often on trips like this, it%26#39;s the little things that you might not bring that can make the difference between an %26#39;ok%26#39; time with a bit of hardship and a really great experience.

Thanks in advance.

Everest Base Camp questions

Hi

Enjoy Nepal !

Daytime temperatures will be comfortable: normally I%26#39;ve started the day wearing a Buffalo shirt (fibre pile and pertex) which comes off once the sun is up, and have spent most of the day in shirt and light trousers.

Nights, particularly above Tengpoche, will get cold, even in lodges (though most will have a stove of some sort in the dining room). A good sleeping bag and a down jacket are nore than useful.

Not certain about laundry: normally I%26#39;ve done camping treks where it%26#39;s been easy to ask the cook team for warm water and a big bowl ! There%26#39;s a laundry service in Namche which might be useful duiring your acclimatisation day there, but as that will only be about the third day of your trek the usefulness may be limited . .

Wet wipes are useful - you are unlikely to get many opportunities for a good shower (though several lodges do offer showers, normally with solar-heated water: if you do find one you could always do your laundry at the same time, and dry it by safety-pinning it to your rucksack the following day)

A small bottle of anti-septic handwash will help minimise the risk of stomach infections as you may not always be able to wash your hands as often as hygiene would dictate.

A high-capacity memory card and plenty of batteries for your digital camera

Cheers

Alan

Everest Base Camp questions

Hello! You will have a great trip.

You should be warm enough with a good down sleeping bag. There is a chance to do laundry in Namche on the second/third day of you trek, but this is early on and you may have to make due later. You quickly learn to accept the various levels of clean your clothes are in. Don%26#39;t worry too much about it as your clothes will only stay clean for five minutes after you put them on. I would agree that baby wipes are important for using the toilet AND washing up. They made the trip so much better. Bring a pair of sandals to wear with socks around the teahouse, as they are vital to getting to the bathroom and around the cold floors. Sunscreen is very important as I burned the skin right off my nose. You can charge your camera batteries if needed at many of the teahouses. I would also bring a small first aid kit with antibacterial gel. Pack as light as possible and you will not regret it as your pack gets heavy on the climbing up day after day.

Feel free to message/e-mail me at hulagirl76@hotmail.com if you have any other questions. I loved Nepal and the trek itself was amazing.

I did this trip in November 2007. Good advice from previous posters.I would also add, use lip balm frequently (Lush have small tins of this)as lips get sore and crack, zinc oxide tape to cover hot spots and area prone to blisters,lakeland plastic do paper laundry soap that is lightweight, you will be able to get laundry done at Namche and at your accilimisation days after Namache, take some clothes pegs with you,

Almost everybody i met had a cough so throat lozenges are amust, also take some ciprofloxacin , available on prescription in the uk or at chemists in Kathmandhu without prescrptions(recomend the one about 10 yards from the Kathmandhu Guest house ),ciprofloxacinn very useful for upset tummy,

sleeping sheet for tea lodges(silk one is warmer)

if you are thinking about buying down jacket,sleeping bag it is cheaper in Nepal, use Shonas in Thamel, Kathmandyu, opposite Kilroys Bar

Did the Base Camp trip from 29th September to 10th October this year with the Adventure Company. It will certainly be gettingcolder in the early mornings and evenings now but a good 4 season sleeping bag should suffice. We found the ice breaker base layers good to wear at night in the sleeping bags too and during the day a top and fleece first thing is enough even when we did Kala Patthar. Laundry facilities are few and far between but they did offer this service as high up as Dingboche but it is vey basic, you may consider doing some small items on your own and drying them round the wood burning stoves in the evening as some have clothes lines around them. A little tip is buy a cheap karibiner and hang small laundry items on that as you walk during the day (if its dry and sunny of course) and connect it to your day sac.

If you plan to drink their tap water and use iodine to purify, it might be worth considering some flavouring tablets such as Nuun as they come in different flavours and are energy drinks as well. Take plenty if wet wipes as you may not always be able to geta shower or a warm wash, alcoholic gel for hands is a must, if you are using tea houses be prepared to slum it as they can be very basic but better than camping.......but above all enjoy the experience it is the trip of a life time, oh and if you are getting your vise at Kathmandu, good luck, prepare for a long wait!!!