Everest Base Camp --- Mar 22 - April 7

Re: Everest Base Camp --- Mar 22 - April 7

Hello

I'm also booked on this tour. I also work for The Imaginative Traveller. Its so nice to hear from
other individuals attempting this tour.
How are you all prepared? Also, when are you arriving?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Re: Everest Base Camp --- Mar 22 - April 7

Hey Tristan... great to hear from you. I'm curious to know how many are booked. To be honest, I'm mentally prepared but not really "prepared" per se. Haha. I live in an area with pretty flat terrain with lots of snow this time a year so outdoor training isn't really an option for me. I have been doing mostly incline eliptical and treadmill workouts to keep my cardio fit and strengthen my legs. I have a feeling the actual trek will make me think I've never been active in my life though! But I'm excited for the challenge.

I get in late on March 21... I've booked an additional night at the hotel we're booked at for the trek. What about you?

Question - I'm debating on whether I should rent a sleeping bag or take my own. I'm going to Thailand after for over a week and will not need one for that, so I'm wondering if it's worth my while.

Would love to hear preparation stories from you and others as well!

Trish

Re: Everest Base Camp --- Mar 22 - April 7

Hello Trish

I'm very excited as well!

So far there are 7 people booked, so its looking to be a reasonably small crowd.

I'd say I'm also fairly focused for this journey, and I'm currently upping my training to build upper body and calf muscles. It sounds like a similar terrain here to where you live. Its very flat in Suffolk! I've been doing a great deal of running, and also race-walking at the steepest treadmill incline at the gym. That hurts, but I really feel the benefit. I usually round off the workout with a cross-training session.

I've also ordered something called a Powerbreather, which you breath through whilst training and it strenghtens your lung muscles by making it harder to breath. This is especially good for high altitude, I've been advised. However I imagine I will sound like Darth Vader having an asthma attack!

I arrive at 5pm on the 22nd. Id have loved an extra day, but sadly work commitments must come first.

I've chosen to bring my own down-filled sleeping bag, because its nice and snug and I'm not very keen on renting an old one when Im there. However, your obviously moving on elsewhere afterwards. You can very easily post items back home. I've done this from Thailand and Morocco in the past. You can opt for a slow postage which brings the price down, but will still mean the package will be there when you get back home.
If you do choose to rent a sleeping bag then I would reccommend a sleeping bag liner, just to offer you more insulation and hygiene. I'm bringing one anyway!

Stay in touch and see you next month!

Re: Everest Base Camp --- Mar 22 - April 7

Tristan, what temperature is your bag rated for? I understand for the time we're going, they recommend a -20. The one I was thinking of taking is rated -12. I haven't done any kind of excursion like this so I'm not sure if this would be sufficient or not. You seem like an avid traveller... any recommendations?

How are the preparations going? 2.5 weeks left!

Trish.

Re: Everest Base Camp --- Mar 22 - April 7

Hi Trish

Nice to hear from you again.

I'm taking a -12 bag also. We're traveling on the tail-end of the coldest season, so this should not be a problem. If you get cold, just wear extra socks and thermals and you'll be snug as a bug!

My preparations are going fine. I didn't need any vaccinations in the end because I'm current from my last trip. I'm starting altitude training today with my PowerBreather, so I expect some very odd looks at the gym!
How about you? How is your preparation going?

Re: Everest Base Camp --- Mar 22 - April 7

Hmm.... that may work then. Good on you for doing the altitude training... I hope it helps. Are you taking Diamox with you as well? Have you ever used it? I have mixed feelings but I think I'll at least take it as a precaution.

To be honest, my physical training has lessened the past 2 weeks as I've been away from home for work and it is hard to keep up the regime... but definitely doing some training. As for packing preparations... I'm feeling overwhelmed! I don't have much experience with this type of trip. Any packing tips you may have would be appreciated as well! haha. I feel like you're my personal trip advisor!

I'm getting really excited though.

Talk soon,
~T~

Re: Everest Base Camp --- Mar 22 - April 7

Hi Trish

If I was your personal trip advisor you may not even make it off the plane!

Ha ha!

I've never used Diamox, as I've never been up a high enough altitude for it to be needed. It is certainly worth bringing, although the guide likely has his or her own supply.
Ideally I would prefer to do it without Diamox, just because I am not keen on using chemicals.

My best tips for packing is to bring one sun hat with cord pull, two cold-weather hats (with one as backup), a neck-gaitor/fleecy cover, two pairs of sunglasses (with at least one having side protection to protect from ice glare), hard cases for the glasses as they ALWAYS get crushed, one fleece, one or two good pairs of thermal layers, very good socks containing a little wool (but also using coolmax fibre to keep the feet from sweating), thick gloves, thin glove liners underneath to keep your hands warm but still give you dexterity, light-weight trousers, breathable waterproof jacket and overtrousers, ankle gaitors (only if you have them), spare laces, 3-4 season boots that are well warn in, anti-bacterial alcohol gel to disinfect your hands, toilet roll and a lighter (seriously!), and a good book when you get sick of talking to the likes of me!

These are just the most important items to bring. You will also need a large backpack, a strong daysack of around 20-25 litres in size, a water bottle or (best of all) a hydration tube system like Camelback or Platypus (Camelback are better), some powdered energy drink satchets with electrolytes for when your levels are low, hydration satchets (containing salt and sugar) which can be bought from chemists, a pen knife, some coloured pencils for the local children (if you so wish), and your country flag to display for the final photo at the Basecamp!

As for training, you have to rest a little or you'll never have strength for the climb. I'm resting my cardio and working on the lungs for a bit. Your leg muscles have a memory of around two weeks, so they pick up from when they were at their peak quite soon. I'd say you can leave one week to rest completely before the big off!

I've worked for outdoor suppliers for a few years so I have too much of this sort of advice! If you have any other questions, please do let me know.