Is Everest Base Trek worth the risk ?
Mar 16th, 2007, 07:50 PM
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Is Everest Base Trek worth the risk ?
I was planing a trek to Everest Base Camp,but from what I have read is it worth the risk?I am 58,and somewhat fit .I need some input from someone who has had first hand experience and was a first time trekker at the time.What do you suggest do it or not? The altitude sickness has me worried. Thank you for your help.
Mar 16th, 2007, 08:35 PM
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How much time do you have for the trip; that would really help you to aclimatize. What is the highest you have ever been? If you have never been above 10,000 feet, you have no idea how you will react. In my experience, it is at 10,000 feet that people who are prone to worse altitude adjustment problems than others start to get separated out from the rest. If you have walked/treked in high altitudes in other places with no issues, and if you have 2-3 weeks to slowly adjust to different elevations as you approach the lower elevations to start the trek to the camp, then IMO you could do this if you wanted. But there are lots of other really interesting lower elevation places that you might enjoy just as much that don't have quite the attendant risks and that could be "done" in less time. They don't make as good dinner party conversation (except maybe for Bhutan), but are very beautiful anyway.
People who do the base camp trek take a significant amount of time to do this trip, so you average tourist taking 2 weeks vacation is not, IMO, an appropriate candidate, no matter how fit. (I fall into the latter category.)
People who do the base camp trek take a significant amount of time to do this trip, so you average tourist taking 2 weeks vacation is not, IMO, an appropriate candidate, no matter how fit. (I fall into the latter category.)
Mar 16th, 2007, 08:59 PM
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No base camp experience, but I shared accommodations with those who went to base camp at the start and end of my Nepal trip.
They mentioned they were surprised how many other people they encountered to, from, and at the base camp. This was in December. But no one seemed to have health problems and they were first time trekkers.
In contrast I did a more scenic, several day hike leaving from Pokhara that never got above 1730 meters and had views of the Annapurna Mountains. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and the only people we saw were those living in a few villages we passed. There was plenty of time for photos and enjoying the scenery. While it was a good workout, altitude was not an issue.
A couple of the 30-something young women who had gone to basecamp indicated they would have preferred a more leisurely, untouristed, scenic hike.
But I cannot claim to have made it to Everest Base Camp. Trekking within site of the Annapurna Range is not the same accomplishment as reaching Everest Base Camp. That was fine, since I had no desire to reach a base camp, but it depends on what goals you have in mind.
Good luck and I hope someone who has actually reached Everest Base Camp responds.
They mentioned they were surprised how many other people they encountered to, from, and at the base camp. This was in December. But no one seemed to have health problems and they were first time trekkers.
In contrast I did a more scenic, several day hike leaving from Pokhara that never got above 1730 meters and had views of the Annapurna Mountains. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and the only people we saw were those living in a few villages we passed. There was plenty of time for photos and enjoying the scenery. While it was a good workout, altitude was not an issue.
A couple of the 30-something young women who had gone to basecamp indicated they would have preferred a more leisurely, untouristed, scenic hike.
But I cannot claim to have made it to Everest Base Camp. Trekking within site of the Annapurna Range is not the same accomplishment as reaching Everest Base Camp. That was fine, since I had no desire to reach a base camp, but it depends on what goals you have in mind.
Good luck and I hope someone who has actually reached Everest Base Camp responds.
Mar 17th, 2007, 12:08 AM
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I am afraid someone else that has NOT been to base camp. I have however a group of us have been to the summit of Mount Kinanbalu in Borneo and found it to be a great experience and felt a great sense of acheivement. About 75% of our group made it to the top and of those that did not,fitness or age did not seem to be a great factor (although fitness is essential to the enjoyment of such a trip. (A frien who was then in his late 20s and ran marathons as a hobby was one of the worst affected by AS and had to turn back.
As cicerone rightly points out, the longer your trip, the better your chances. There area some other points such as always sleeping at lower down that your highest point of the day will help. There is also a prescription drug which can help some people (not coca leaves as used in Peru.
The first thing I would do in your position is embark on a serious fitness programme, including hill walking, aerobic/endurance training in some form and lower body weight traing as the effect on you leg muscles comming downhill particular, can be quite painful.
Finally have a THOROUGH medical , preferably with a doctor who understands the issues. Good luck!
As cicerone rightly points out, the longer your trip, the better your chances. There area some other points such as always sleeping at lower down that your highest point of the day will help. There is also a prescription drug which can help some people (not coca leaves as used in Peru.
The first thing I would do in your position is embark on a serious fitness programme, including hill walking, aerobic/endurance training in some form and lower body weight traing as the effect on you leg muscles comming downhill particular, can be quite painful.
Finally have a THOROUGH medical , preferably with a doctor who understands the issues. Good luck!
Mar 17th, 2007, 08:25 AM
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Hello,
I am also quite agree with the two above details of aclimatization you have to be sure because even lots of people are doing this trek with out any problem and been done through this iteneraries for Everest Base Camp Trek pls kindly look at below:
Day 01 : Fly from Kathmandu to lukla 2700m and trek to Phakding 2600, 4 hrs and overnight.
Day 02 : Phakding trek to Namche Bazaar 3440m, (6 hrs) and overnight.
Day 03 : Namche Bazaar rest day and overnight.
Day 04 : Namche Bazaar trek to Tyangboche, 3860m, (6 hrs) and overnight.
Day 05 : Tyangboche trek to Dingboche, 4300m, (6hrs) and overnight
Day 06 : Dingboche trek to Labuche 4930m, (6 hrs) and overnight
Day 07 : Labuche rest day and overnight
Day 08 : Labuche trek to Gorapshep 5170m, (2 and half hrs) and overnight
Day 09 : Gorapshe trek to Everest base camp 5400m and back to Gorapshep (5 hrs) and overnight or (GorapshepKalapattar-Gorapshep) 3 hrs.
Day 10 : Gorapshep trek to Pheriche 4280m (6 and half hrs) and overnight.
Day 11 : Pheriche trek to Tyangboche 3860m, (4 hrs) and overnight.
Day 12 : Tyangboche trek to Namchee Bazaar 3440m, (5 hrs) and overnight.
Day 13 : Namche Bazaar trek to Lukla 2840m, (7hrs) and overnight.
Day 14 : Lukla fly to Kathmandu, End of the trek.
for more details pls feel comfortable to write us on above email address..thank you
cheers
Nakul
I am also quite agree with the two above details of aclimatization you have to be sure because even lots of people are doing this trek with out any problem and been done through this iteneraries for Everest Base Camp Trek pls kindly look at below:
Day 01 : Fly from Kathmandu to lukla 2700m and trek to Phakding 2600, 4 hrs and overnight.
Day 02 : Phakding trek to Namche Bazaar 3440m, (6 hrs) and overnight.
Day 03 : Namche Bazaar rest day and overnight.
Day 04 : Namche Bazaar trek to Tyangboche, 3860m, (6 hrs) and overnight.
Day 05 : Tyangboche trek to Dingboche, 4300m, (6hrs) and overnight
Day 06 : Dingboche trek to Labuche 4930m, (6 hrs) and overnight
Day 07 : Labuche rest day and overnight
Day 08 : Labuche trek to Gorapshep 5170m, (2 and half hrs) and overnight
Day 09 : Gorapshe trek to Everest base camp 5400m and back to Gorapshep (5 hrs) and overnight or (GorapshepKalapattar-Gorapshep) 3 hrs.
Day 10 : Gorapshep trek to Pheriche 4280m (6 and half hrs) and overnight.
Day 11 : Pheriche trek to Tyangboche 3860m, (4 hrs) and overnight.
Day 12 : Tyangboche trek to Namchee Bazaar 3440m, (5 hrs) and overnight.
Day 13 : Namche Bazaar trek to Lukla 2840m, (7hrs) and overnight.
Day 14 : Lukla fly to Kathmandu, End of the trek.
for more details pls feel comfortable to write us on above email address..thank you
cheers
Nakul
Mar 18th, 2007, 12:30 AM
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I have not done base camp either but my son has. He did it at 23 and is a superfit sportsman. He suffered badly from altitude sickness. You must remember that even experienced climbers also suffer from this and that it is completely unpredictable. I will ask him to post later today.
Mar 18th, 2007, 05:44 PM
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A friend of mine over the weekend reminded me that there is a way to go to the north face base camp from the Tibet side that only involves a walk of about 5 miles from where you get dropped off by car. This is south of Lhasa. I believe the elevation is about the same, but it is apparently a very easy, almost flat walk (although I think easy at 17,000 feet is relative). I think you would still need to be in Tibet to 2 weeks or so to be able to safely adjust yourself to the elevation, but this might be an easier way of getting to a “base camp.” It is not of course the more famous one near Namchee, but might be a better choice as it does not involve a 9-10 day walk.
I would agree on the Anapurna which is supposed to be beautiful, and I believe is in the 13,000 foot range. I have trekked in Bhutan and thought it was just stunning plus not at all crowded, I have also trekked in Tiger Leaping Gorge outside Lijiang and thought that was lovely, and not at all touristed (Lijiang is, but very few people actually do any trekking outside it). Of course there is all of Switzerland, where you can hike along valley floors at basically no elevation with tremendous views, and take a train or bus back home at the end of the day to your nice efficient Swiss hotel with a very good dinner; no camping at all involved....
I would agree on the Anapurna which is supposed to be beautiful, and I believe is in the 13,000 foot range. I have trekked in Bhutan and thought it was just stunning plus not at all crowded, I have also trekked in Tiger Leaping Gorge outside Lijiang and thought that was lovely, and not at all touristed (Lijiang is, but very few people actually do any trekking outside it). Of course there is all of Switzerland, where you can hike along valley floors at basically no elevation with tremendous views, and take a train or bus back home at the end of the day to your nice efficient Swiss hotel with a very good dinner; no camping at all involved....
Mar 23rd, 2007, 03:16 PM
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I have done the trip with Mountain travel - sobek. I was one of the youngest at 45 and only one perwson has a problem with the altitude but it cleared up in a day - it was due to helicopter trip to high altitude from Kathmandu - absoolutely safe and worth the trip - besides the shepas will take great care of you in the event you feel sick.
Mar 24th, 2007, 01:05 PM
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I agree with the Annapurna route - I did it at 60 years of age and it was so nice and altho a serious workout at times, not ever a worry. Except for the bragging aspect, I personally cannot see the reason to go to Ev. Basecamp.
Mar 25th, 2007, 06:03 AM
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I think you should go for it! The main concern is not your age or fitness (although one must have a level of fitness to trek at any altitude) it is your willingness to take the time to acclimatize properly. I attended a an altitude sickness seminar once where I learned that young, fit men suffer the most from altitude - not because they aren't fit, but because they push themselves to go too high too fast.
Okay, but you wanted to hear from someone who'd done it. My first trek was to Gokyo Peak (near Everest Base Camp). I didn't fly into Lukla, instead I hiked in from Jiri. I followed the recommendations of the guidebook and stayed a couple of nights in Namche for acclimization. Above Namche I slept no more than 1000 feet in altitude above where I last was. Sometimes this meant only hiking for two hours.
The next year I did the Annapurna trek, this is a great trek - very beautiful and would make a nice first trek. After Annupurna I flew into Lukla (having already acclimatized in the Annapurnas), trekked to Kala Patar and Everest Base Camp then cut over to Gokyo. Having seen both, Gokyo is still my preference to Base Camp - but it was pretty neat to see Everest close up!
So, I think as long as you have time not to rush and no other medical impediments you should be absolutely fine going to Base Camp. !
Okay, but you wanted to hear from someone who'd done it. My first trek was to Gokyo Peak (near Everest Base Camp). I didn't fly into Lukla, instead I hiked in from Jiri. I followed the recommendations of the guidebook and stayed a couple of nights in Namche for acclimization. Above Namche I slept no more than 1000 feet in altitude above where I last was. Sometimes this meant only hiking for two hours.
The next year I did the Annapurna trek, this is a great trek - very beautiful and would make a nice first trek. After Annupurna I flew into Lukla (having already acclimatized in the Annapurnas), trekked to Kala Patar and Everest Base Camp then cut over to Gokyo. Having seen both, Gokyo is still my preference to Base Camp - but it was pretty neat to see Everest close up!
So, I think as long as you have time not to rush and no other medical impediments you should be absolutely fine going to Base Camp. !
Aug 9th, 2007, 01:48 PM
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Hello Fodorites,
I have found Wilderness Travel's Magical Tibet tour that will take me to Everest Base Camp...I can trek or ride in the 4WD. My main concern is the two day descent on a winding road into the subtropical world of Nepal.
Wilderness Travel rates this trip a 3 in difficult level (7 being the highest)
I added on to Katmandu's original post because my question is basically the same... Is EBC worth the risk?
Cicerone, why did you mention that one could get the same experience in the Alps? I have done the Alps and the Jungfrau (with the swiss fantastic transportation system)... Are the Alps comparable to the Himalayan Mountains once you are into the mountains?
I have found Wilderness Travel's Magical Tibet tour that will take me to Everest Base Camp...I can trek or ride in the 4WD. My main concern is the two day descent on a winding road into the subtropical world of Nepal.
Wilderness Travel rates this trip a 3 in difficult level (7 being the highest)
I added on to Katmandu's original post because my question is basically the same... Is EBC worth the risk?
Cicerone, why did you mention that one could get the same experience in the Alps? I have done the Alps and the Jungfrau (with the swiss fantastic transportation system)... Are the Alps comparable to the Himalayan Mountains once you are into the mountains?
Aug 9th, 2007, 03:54 PM
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Hello Kat ~
I was at the Nepal North Face base camp last October, having driven there because I was doing a lot of traveling and didn't take the time to trek. I am female and 53 and felt fine, except that I did wake up one night because I felt I was short of oxygen. Why not? Rongbuk has one-third the oxygen content of sea level, where I live.
I was taking Diamox and needed only about a week to acclimate. For some reason, I felt MUCH worse when I stayed put at 10,000 feet up in the Peruvian Andes two years ago: Despite taking Diamox, my head hurt so badly that I thought I contracted meningitis in the hospital where I was volunteering.
Please don't worry: Just be smart the way the other travelers have suggested about moving slowly higher.
I'll be back at Everest about October 15 this year: See you there?
P.S. I've been told that we tend to take altitude better as we age. Most of the people in my small group were in the 70s!
I was at the Nepal North Face base camp last October, having driven there because I was doing a lot of traveling and didn't take the time to trek. I am female and 53 and felt fine, except that I did wake up one night because I felt I was short of oxygen. Why not? Rongbuk has one-third the oxygen content of sea level, where I live.
I was taking Diamox and needed only about a week to acclimate. For some reason, I felt MUCH worse when I stayed put at 10,000 feet up in the Peruvian Andes two years ago: Despite taking Diamox, my head hurt so badly that I thought I contracted meningitis in the hospital where I was volunteering.
Please don't worry: Just be smart the way the other travelers have suggested about moving slowly higher.
I'll be back at Everest about October 15 this year: See you there?
P.S. I've been told that we tend to take altitude better as we age. Most of the people in my small group were in the 70s!
Aug 9th, 2007, 05:07 PM
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Hi again,
Just when I was about to give up on my quest to EBC, here comes Karen's reply. I only have a few questions for you Karen, were the roads steep? Winding? Treacherous? I just hate to be caught up in a descent over steep roads for two whole days... I just love the thought of going up and up..
Wilderness Travel has all their EBC trips in August which I though was the best time (except that this year it coincides with the Olympics!! and flights in and out of China or neighboring countries may represent a challenge). May I ask why are you going in October?
Thanks
Just when I was about to give up on my quest to EBC, here comes Karen's reply. I only have a few questions for you Karen, were the roads steep? Winding? Treacherous? I just hate to be caught up in a descent over steep roads for two whole days... I just love the thought of going up and up..
Wilderness Travel has all their EBC trips in August which I though was the best time (except that this year it coincides with the Olympics!! and flights in and out of China or neighboring countries may represent a challenge). May I ask why are you going in October?
Thanks
Nov 7th, 2007, 05:59 AM
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Katmandu
Tekking to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar is the dream of my life.
I am 43 with no trekking expereince and on top I live at sea level since always ! I have the same your concerns.
I suggest you to buy a trekking guide. I found one: "Trekking in the Everest Region" by Jamie McGuinnes.
The rest of my family is not much interested so I never did a further step into such a trip !
Hope someday I will take this challenge !!
It seems being fit has nothing to do with altitude sickness. What is recommended is to go back down when the desease starts and then not climbing more than 1000 feet per day, as also PairofDiceLost has mentioned.
Karen: are you back from your october trip to Everest ?? Wouldlove to resdy your report.
Lynn: once again we meet somewhere else than onAfrica and Brazil forums !
Tekking to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar is the dream of my life.
I am 43 with no trekking expereince and on top I live at sea level since always ! I have the same your concerns.
I suggest you to buy a trekking guide. I found one: "Trekking in the Everest Region" by Jamie McGuinnes.
The rest of my family is not much interested so I never did a further step into such a trip !
Hope someday I will take this challenge !!
It seems being fit has nothing to do with altitude sickness. What is recommended is to go back down when the desease starts and then not climbing more than 1000 feet per day, as also PairofDiceLost has mentioned.
Karen: are you back from your october trip to Everest ?? Wouldlove to resdy your report.
Lynn: once again we meet somewhere else than onAfrica and Brazil forums !
Dec 27th, 2007, 10:55 AM
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Dear Katmandu,
With the proper acclimatization schedule, a fit 58 year old should have no problem with this trek. Like Cicerone has asked, how much time do you have for this trek? A reasonable amount of time would be 15 to 18 days Kathmandu to Kathmandu. This amount of time allows for rest days en route and time to explore around base camp and hike Kala Pattar. The big unknown is how you will react to the altitude. Drinks lots of water, stay warm, eat properly and pace yourself. Oh yeah, have a great time. You'll meet a lot of other trekkers to talk with along the way.
Best,
Andy
With the proper acclimatization schedule, a fit 58 year old should have no problem with this trek. Like Cicerone has asked, how much time do you have for this trek? A reasonable amount of time would be 15 to 18 days Kathmandu to Kathmandu. This amount of time allows for rest days en route and time to explore around base camp and hike Kala Pattar. The big unknown is how you will react to the altitude. Drinks lots of water, stay warm, eat properly and pace yourself. Oh yeah, have a great time. You'll meet a lot of other trekkers to talk with along the way.
Best,
Andy
Dec 30th, 2007, 08:16 PM
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My FIL (age 74) and BIL (age 45) made the base trek camp this past October. They went with REI and had a very good experience. Neither had any trouble. My FIL worked out at the Y for about a year before the trip, BUT had hernia surgery in August - about 8 weeks before the trip. He had absolutely no trouble, but, he is quite fit. He was a geology teacher and took 2-3 trips a year backpacking in either the Grand Canyon, Smokey Mountains, or Grand Tetons, so he was quite accustomed to hiking. The porters carry all your stuff (if you hire one - which is highly recommended). The guides (and this might just be with REI, I don't know) always checked their blood pressure and oxygen levels and my FIL tested better than some of the sherpas!!! They can give you meds to fend off the altitude sickness and they are "very in tune" with the symptoms and will take proper care of you.
Jan 1st, 2008, 11:27 AM
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Susanita25 mentioned the jeep tour to the Everest Base camp. To clarify, the Everest base camp they are referring to is the one on the Tibetan side of the mountain, which is, no doubt, also spectacular.
The Everest base camp in Nepal is still (to my knowledge) only accessible by foot (or helicopter, in emergencies).
The Everest base camp in Nepal is still (to my knowledge) only accessible by foot (or helicopter, in emergencies).
