Hello everyone! I do hope that you have been
following my Everest Base Camp (EBC) articles and got some valuable information
for your prospective journey. So today I’m going to give you some helpful tips
and tricks if and when you are doing the EBC Trek. In fact these can help you
in any of those high-altitude, cold-desert and extremely cold environments.
Many of these came from my first-hand experience, not from hearsay or taking
off online so you can rely on them better.
If you haven’t already ready my article on “How to Plan Your EBC Trek”, you can click the link and read as I explained
in-depth as to how you can plan it in order to have a successful trek. Ok,
let’s get down to business then, shall we?
Few details to start with:
- You’ll start your trek at Lukla which is at 2,652m (8,700ft) and the lowest point is Phakding at 2,652m (8,700ft). Then you will go all the way to EBC at 5,364m (17,600ft) and Kala Paththar at 5,550m (18,200ft) which means you’ll gain approximately 10,000ft in elevation.
- Total distance from Lukla to EBC is a highly debated topic but it’s approximately 60-70km one way providing you don’t undertake any by treks. In my journey, I had trekked over 15 days around 160-175km in total. You can read “Detailed Itinerary for EBC” where I have given my itinerary for your reference. I’m sure it’ll be a good starting point for you.
Note: The below information is in general terms (primarily related to my
journey) and depending on your condition and requirements you might have to
change them accordingly.
- When travelling to Kathmandu from Mumbai, sit on the right hand side of the plane (when you’re facing the front of the plane) and if possible towards the front as this would give a better view of the Himalayas. However, depending on where you fly from and at what time, this will change.
- Finding a reliable tour company is very important but finding the right trekking guide is essential. That will mean the success or failure in your trek. I can recommend Welcome Nepal Treks for the tour operator and Ngima Ongal Lama for the guide. I used them both and they’re just amazing.
- Stay out of the sun. Wear Sunhat and Sunscreen all the time.
- Should have about 20,000 NPR (US $200) for the Trek Expenses. Exchange Rate is about 100NPR for 1USD.
- When flying to Lukla, sit on the left side of the plane either at the front for better views of Himalayas as well as cockpit.
- Don’t eat meat after Lukla. This is due to the fact that they don’t kill animals in Khumbu Region and the meat is carried from outside. So the quality of the meat is not good and you might catch diarrhea or some infections.
- Always give way for Yaks/Mules and Porters and move to the mountain side until they have passed you. Yaks have a very bad habit of swinging their heads with horns so you better stay well away from them.
- Keep the batteries inside the sleeping bag to keep them warm in the night. Even during daytime keep them in a tightly sealed bag or container in order to keep them from draining away fast.
- At Tengboche, go and listen to the monks chanting at 6am or 3pm.
- Best views are in the morning so start your trek early, preferably before 8am.
- Jorsale is the last place where you can eat before Namche. So be sure to have lunch there and rest before the trek to Namche as it’s one of the most difficult uphill treks you will encounter.
- There are a lot of shops at Namche selling almost everything you would need for reasonable last minute shopping. So don’t worry if you’d forgotten something either at home or Kathmandu.
- Keep a small flashlight/headlamp handy at all times both night and day.
- Don’t get too close to the Yak Dung Fireplaces as the smoke emitting might give you a sore throat.
- Everest Region is one of the safe areas in terms of theft however it’s prudent to keep your Duffel Bag secured with a lock.
- There’s Wi-Fi in most of the guest houses all the way to Namche but thereafter it’ll be something called Wi-Card which requires mobile reception. However I suggest you don’t opt for this option as the reception is extremely unreliable and these cards are very expensive. 600 NPR (US $6) for 200mb.
- There are hot showers available in almost all the tea houses but it becomes expensive as you get closer to the EBC. It starts from 300 NPR (US $3) from Lukla and can get as high as 600-800NPR (US $6-$8) as you go up.
- You have to pay for hot water even for drinking and once cup costs normally 30-40NPR (US $0.30-$0.40) at Lukla and almost US $1 close to EBC.
- Carry at least two re-usable 1-litre each water bottles and avoid using bottled mineral water by all means as they add up to the environmental waste. There are plenty of water streams where you can refill them. However carrying some water purification tablets (I used Aquatabs) is essential.
- Don’t sleep in the afternoons especially after lunch as it can make you develop headaches. Just spend your time at the dining area listening to other trekkers’ tales or doing a diary (just like me) or talking to your guide/friends.
- Beware of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) also known as High Altitude Sickness or just Altitude Sickness as that can kill you in no time. You can read about it below in detail.
What’s AMS?
Altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is a negative health effect of high altitude, caused by acute exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high altitude. Although minor symptoms such as breathlessness may occur at altitudes of 1,500 metres (5,000 ft), AMS commonly occurs above 2,400m (8,000 ft). It presents as a collection of nonspecific symptoms, acquired at high altitude or in low air pressure, resembling a case of "flu, carbon monoxide poisoning, or a hangover".
It is hard to determine who will be affected by altitude sickness, as there are no specific factors that correlate with a susceptibility to altitude sickness. However, most people can ascend to 2,400m (8,000 ft) without difficulty.
Acute mountain sickness can progress to High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), both of which are potentially fatal, and can only be cured by immediate descent to lower altitude or oxygen administration.
What are HAPE and HACE?
High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) (HAPO spelled Oedema in British English) is a life-threatening form of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs) that occurs in otherwise healthy mountaineers at altitudes typically above 2,500m (8,200 ft). However, cases have also been reported at lower altitudes (between 1,500-2,500m or 4,900-8,200 ft) in highly vulnerable subjects), though what makes some people susceptible to HAPE is currently unknown. HAPE remains the major cause of death related to high-altitude exposure, with a high mortality rate in the absence of adequate emergency treatment.
High altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is a medical condition in which the brain swells with fluid because of the physiological effect of traveling to a high altitude. It generally appears in patients who have acute mountain sickness and involves disorientation, lethargy and nausea among other symptoms. It occurs when the body fails to acclimatize while ascending to a high altitude. It appears to be a vasogenic edema (fluid penetration of the blood-brain barrier), although cytotoxic edema (cellular retention of fluids) may play a role as well. Individuals with the condition must immediately descend to a lower altitude or coma and death can occur. Patients are usually given supplemental oxygen and dexamethasone as well.
Source: Wikipedia
Symptoms of AMS
- Headache is the first and the most common symptom of AMS.
- Dizziness
- Loss of Appetite
- Shortness of Breath
- Trouble Sleeping
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Fatigue or Weakness
- Persistent Rapid Pulse
- Drowsiness
- Peripheral Edema (Swelling of Hands, Feet and Face)
- Symptoms similar to Bronchitis.
- Fever
- Persistent Dry Cough
- Shortness of Breath even when resting.
- Increased Nausea or Vomiting
- Loss of Consciousness
- Retinal Haemorrhage
- Chest Congestion
- Acclimatization.
- Add an aspirin to the water every morning and another each evening. This will help to slightly thin out your blood and help to reduce headaches caused by the thickening of your blood at altitude.
- Hydration - Drink at least 5-litres of Water a day. This is in addition to the tea and other drinks such as soup.
- Don’t drink Caffeine or Alcohol.
- Eat more Garlic and Cloves.
- Walk slow and steady.
- Eat well – The diet should be high in Carbohydrate and 70% of calories.
- Take Diamox 125mg once or twice a day for AMS. If caught with AMS, increase the dosage to 250mg twice a day. It’s always best to consult your doctor before taking Diamox. Your trekking guide will instruct when to start the Diamox. However you may even start this from Kathmandu.
Well folks, I hope this article provided with
you some very valuable information especially about AMS. You have to do everything
to avoid that as it’d make it very unpleasant and even force you to turn around
having wasted a lot of money and time.
Do leave your feedback and questions in the
comments and I’ll try my best to answer them all. That is for all now and this
is Sri signing off and will soon see you with yet another article like this.
Until next time do take care and travel safe!
Sri
Abeywickrema – Trek with Sri
P.S.
Do comment with your feedback and questions if you have any and I’ll try my
level best to answer them.
Related Articles: Everest Base Camp Trek | Howto Plan Your EBC Trek | Detailed Itinerary for EBC
Coming soon: The next article, which is
also the last about EBC Trek and preparation, going to be “Things to Carry on
Your EBC Trek”. Afterwards, I’d take you on my tour on a day-to-day basis.
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