How to not plan in advance a trekking
trip and end up in one of the highest picks on Earth
When you think about doing a trek in
Nepal what it comes to mind is serious stuff: training, planning and getting proper
gear are the basics steps. Well, in our case, it was exactly the opposite. The
deal before even taking the plane to Katmandu was to do a maximum 4 days
trekking.
As soon as we arrived in the capital of
Nepal, we bumped into Andreas Bäckman, a Sweden guy, who happened to spent 3
months around the mountains of Everest. He had bruises around his heaps from
holding his heavy backpack - in which he used to carry a bottle of whisky (fair
enough considering the low temperatures).
Him along with Andy, an Australian friend of
ours, made us consider Everest as an option for our trek. We had absolute no
idea what we were doing so we let the coin decide for us. We flipped it. Heads
Everest, tails Annapurna. And with the coin showing us heads we embarked in a
journey we barely knew.
Along the way, we bought more gear, got
some medicine for altitude sickness, and felt extremely exhausted plenty of
times… It was all worth it though. If you give a chance to be spontaneous while
traveling, the consequences can be magnificent and you might ended up in
Everest as well. The rewards are endless. The head mix of natural beauty,
culture and personal achievement, as well as warm Nepalese hospitality, makes
the Everest Base Camp trek one of the world’s most unforgettable trip.
The biggest lesson? Open your heart,
listen to yourself and simply enjoy what’s new.
What to take?
Starting with your backpack. Don’t be
like us and have a Peruvian fabric bag. It won’t be possible and will heart
your back and shoulders. Get a proper one: waterproof or with rain cover and
with adjustable strings. Pack lightly - not much than 10kg. Forget about:
bottle of shampoo, pair os jeans and bottle of whisky! Fleece jacket, down
jacket and thermal underwear are must. Remember that the Himalaya gets cold above
3000 any time of the year. Also take two pairs of long pants, two or three
t-shirts (synthetic fabrics - not cotton - that wick away sweat). You will also
need raincoat, gloves, hat and polarized sunglasses. You can buy shampoo and
soap sachet on the way so don’t worry about toiletries. Do not forget
sunscreen, lip balm and travel size towel. Baby wipes are handy for days you
can’t shower. Buying water purification tablets is more reliable and safe -
also more environmentally friendly than buying bottled water from lodges.
Our route (14 days)
Day 1: Kathmandu
Day 2: Phakding (2610 m)
Day 3: Namche Bazaar (3440 m)
Day 4: Namche Bazaar (3440 m)
Day 5: Phortse Gaon (3810 m)
Day 6: Dingboche (4410 m)
Day 7: Dingboche (4410 m)
Day 8: Lobuche (4900 m)
Day 9: Everest Base Camp (5364 m)
Day 10: Kala Patar/Pheriche or Orsho
Day 11: Tengboche (3840 m)
Day 12: Monjo (2860 m)
Day 13: Lukla
Day 14: Kathmandu
Where can I stay?
Take cash to pay for accommodation and
food (no card accepted). While trekking you’ll find lodges along the way -
places where you can eat and stay. If you do both you’ll pay cheaper prices for
accommodation. Usually US$35 per day is enough for food and accommodation - not
considering beer and that chocolate you might want to boost your energy.
Do I need a guide?
It’s still possible to go alone - as we
did. But you can hire a guide for US$10 a day.
But I’m not an athlete.
Well, you don’t have to be. Nothing can
really prepare you for the trek’s extreme hills and altitude of up to 5545m.
But don’t be put off - people with average fitness can do this trek. We were
not even close to athletes and we made it. 'Slow and steady' is the key to
achieving - and enjoying! - the trek.
Be aware (we we’re not, but you
should).
Altitude sickness is a real thing and
can affect anybody - even the extremely fit. Consider the acclimatization days,
usually in Namche and Dingboche. Walk slowly, little by little, and watch for
signs of altitude sickness: symptoms includes headaches, dizziness,
sleeplessness, loss of apetite and breathless. Bring a supply of medication
Diamox for treatment, if symptoms persist, descend. Also have a first aid kit
with medication for diarrhoea, antibiotics for a chest or sinus infection, and
adhesive bandages for blisters - we did not have of those, apart from Diamox,
we assure they will be very helpful. Stay health. Forget about drinking or
smoking and eat well.
It’s still possible to go alone - as we
did. But you can hire a guide for US$10 a day.
Awesome experience ! And of course, trekking to EBC is worth-visiting. But, get a proper travel and medical insurance before going to the trip. As soon as you fly to Lukla by domestic flight, your adventure begins. Flying to lukla scares me more than walking uphill. :)
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