Planning a trek to Everest? Remember these tips

The thought of going for an Everest Base Camp Trek is an exciting wish to be included in the bucket list of the backpackers who seek an adventure to the highlands of the mountain. The adventure is of lifetime memory if proper planning is made and proper guidelines are followed under the supervision of professional guides. Besides the standard guidelines, below are some of the practical tips that are suggested by the experienced climbers and trekkers for the less experienced fellow adventure-seeking trekkers and climbers.

1. Pre-Training

This is the most essential if you want to make your Everest Base Camp Trek a successful one. Though you may not need any previous technical climbing experience you still need to be physically fit enough to bear the continuous strain in the high altitudes. You are advised to go for training approximately 3 to 4 months before the trekking. Go for walking up a hill on a treadmill or walking on a stair-master or some other intense physical exercise at least a couple of days a week. Have the needed strength to walk 5-6 hours of walk on the hills with a backpack to carry with you before you pursue the adventure of your life.

2. Mental endurance

Besides the physical training and preparation, you also need to be mentally prepared for living the life of mountains for some days. The adaptation to the difficult life in the hills and mountains needs enduring mental strength. Prepare yourself for what may come ahead in your trekking expedition. Accommodations in the teahouses run by Sherpa may be of decent one as compared to the accommodation in your native place. Small things like a toilet that may not be western-styled or maybe you have to be prepared to use the great outdoors at times. Be prepared for these small things and have a moderate expectation in terms of physical facilities. However, the display of natural wonder is beyond your expectation in the Everest Base Camp Trek.

3. Arrival info

Get all the necessary information related to the travel to and from Nepal. Be informed of the visa requirements and other necessary formalities. Working on this matter with the travel agency will be a good idea as they can give you some practical information regarding your travel arrangement as per your need. Going on independent trekking may not be a recommended idea especially if you are a novice trekker.

4. Get the right gears

Several gears are essential for your own safety in higher altitudes. Make a checklist of these gears to be needed and identify whether or not you need to carry all of these from your native place to Nepal. Never compromise on the footwear when you are walking several hours a day in the difficult terrains. A good, tough, and waterproof trekking boots shall save you from many problems that you may encounter during the trekking expedition. A good down jacket with at least 650 fill down is a must. Have a platypus water carrier and a Nalgene styled bottle along with a sun hat, good quality sunglasses among the other gears. Have all the necessary gears checked before you begin?

5. Be hydrated always

This is the other vital life-saving tip in the high altitudes of the Everest region. At a higher level, the rate of dehydration is more than at sea levels. Fill up the bottles before you begin the day and make sure that the water is either boiled or treated with proper water purification tablets. Make sure you monitor your hydration level regularly to make your trekking experience a better one. The imbalance in the hydration level of your body can create problems for you especially when you are at a higher altitude and eventually limit the chances of your success.

6. Have a proper medical kit

This saves you from a lot of problems once you are at the rough terrains where you are prone to health-related problems from a mild headache to altitude sickness. A mild headache is not a bigger issue up there. Have other medicines that counter altitude sickness, stomach related smaller problems. To combat the mild headaches you have to listen to #Tip 4; drink plenty of water in the mountains. Another way to combat such a headache is to add a Disprin to the water every morning. This will help to slightly thin out your blood and thus reduce the headache due to the thickening of the blood at higher altitudes.

7. Slow and steady complete the trek!

Take your time when it comes to a challenging trekking experience to the base camp of the highest Himalayas.  This is not a marathon or a race for some prize money. Listen to your body and in consultation follow rules as conveyed by the trekking guide. Acclimatize well in the higher altitudes. All the research suggests, spending more time at 3,500m/ 11,500ft. Namche Bazaar (3440m) is one of the favorite acclimatization spots in the EBC trekking trail. Give close attention to the itinerary to make sure the itinerary gives proper time for acclimatization. Also, make sure that the trekking schedule is flexible enough.

8. Adapt to local culture

Respect the local culture, tradition, and lifestyle when you are in the Everest region. Circumambulating in a clockwise direction, putting your shoes or slippers outside the holy shrines is some of the cultural values that the outsiders need to give any attention to. Make sure you’re your clothing style and other habits don’t offend the locals. It is advised that you give proper attention to these small details to get good cooperation from the locals and learn more about the reach cultural legacy these inhabitants carry from their past. Making compromises with these issues for few days shall help you create memories for the rest of your life.

9. Stay out of the Sun when possible

The level of protection you have from the UV rays decreases with the increasing altitude. Some days on the trek might be tough due to the brutal radiation from the solar rays. So it is advised that you remain out of the sun whenever possible to minimize the wrinkles you have on your skin and the chances of developing skin cancer and to reduce the impact of dehydration caused due to the sunburn. The minimal these effects are seen, the higher chance of your successful adventure remains.

10. Enjoy!

This is the most given advice by experienced people. You are on vacation so relax and enjoy yourself. On a trekking trip like the Everest Base Camp, you try hard to complete an adventurous expedition and create memories. This trekking adventure gives you a lot of spare time so that you can go slow and live each moment of the trip. Except for few longer trekking days, you can always find time to rest, enjoy and laugh with your fellow trekkers. Have an open and positive mind while interacting with the locals. Keep in mind that these people are there to make your adventure a successful one despite all the cultural and other differences. Be focused, calm, open-minded, and positive!