Hi guys,
I came back last week from my Everest Base Camp Trek! How awesome that was!!!!
During my preparations I got good and bad advice, so I've decided to mention a few things for those that are thinking of doing the same or similar trek....
I did the guest house trek, an organised tour by Himalayan Social Journey. 11 Aussies in the group, 16 day tour of which 12 were on the trek.
Gear:
You're in the mountains, so despite people saying "it's warm that time of year", take your mountain gear! Wet weather gear (gore-tex pants, jacket, gaitors, hat, boots), warm gear (2 pairs of good thermals, insulated jacket, beanie, buff, good warm gloves), shorts, good sunnies!, a large day pack (40 - 50 L), a pack liner for in the duffel bag to put your "overnight" stuff in, a warm sleeping bag (-9 degrees should do), a sleeping bag liner (sea to summit reactor just in case), 2 nalgene bottles, steripen or purifying tablets, spare batteries..... I walked in 25 degrees at the start of the trek, but Kalapattar was about -10 degrees.... You see, be prepared for anything!
Buying gear is easy in KAthmandu, it's cheap but don't expect it to last.... it might do the trick for the trip though. Insulated stuff is pretty good there, but don't believe the gore-tex labels unless you're buying at one of the genuine shops..... But their stuff is more expensive than here in Australia. For those that have forgotten things, don't worry, Namsche Bazar has 4 excellent genuine shops. Shop around and pay cash
Food:
The food everywhere was great, we had brekky included and paid for lunch and dinner. If you love a good coffee, bring it with you from home or Kathmandu. Snacks get expensive past Namsche Bazar, so get it in Kathmandu or in Namsche if you don't want to take too much weight on the plane. Snickers bars go from 70 to 500 rs between Namsche and Gorakshep! Buy satchels of electrolytes for in your water, and multivitamins or beroccas.
Coffee:
Conflicting stories online tell you not to drink coffee as it is a diuretic, but others say is stimulates the heart and has other benefits. We all drank coffee, although we limited it to breakfast.
Drugs:
stock up! Diamox, paracetamol, ibuprofen, cypro, immodium, anti nausea wafers, doxy cycline, have it all there just in case! Don't be a hero! If you need it, take it! I started taking Diamox at 4400 m, after starting headaches. In the end I was the only one to reach Kalapattar. And 6 of the 7 to make it to Base Camp ended up taking it. 1 guy that held off despite needing Diamox ended up having to go down at 5000m and didnt make base camp....
Porters:
To those thinking (like a few of us too) that carrying your own pack is more rewarding, think again! Having your overnight gear carried leaves you with more energy and a more enjoyable walk, plus you are providing jobs for the locals.
Water:
Purify all your water, or buy mineral water in sealed bottles. prices will go from 80 RS in Lukla to 350 rs in Gorakshep.
Money:
How much you'll spend on the trek depends on many things.... how much you eat, if you want shower, wifi, charge phones, if you purify or buy water etc. Some said US $ 300 is enough, but I probably spend US $ 400 - 450. I used wifi a couple of times, charged my phone a couple of times, no showers, lots and lots of food! Namsche Bazar has 2 ATM's, or take it from Kathmandu. Take plenty, as you don't want to run out of money!!!!
Mobile phones
I bought an NCell sim for the trip, and had reception at Phakding, Namsche, Tengboche and Gorakshep. In between only sporadically. No one I knew has a Namaste sim, so i can't compare the two....
Fitness:
The trek itself to me wasnt all that hard, good general fitness and endurance should get you there. The altitude is what will get you....and you can't train for that!!!!
Well, thats all I can think of for now.... Its an awesome trek and well worth the effort!!!!