midget1500

Hi folks

A friend and I are wishing to do a trek to everest base camp around may 07.

We've found lots of websites and information but it would be good to receive some insight from anyone who has done this, tips, do's/dont's and ofcourse to reccomend a company.

Cheers
Steven

Brendan Hughes

Friend of mine looked into this about three years ago. Bought loadsa books, watched loadsa films/documentaries - and then finally didn't go as he said he'd seen it all in enough detail anyway!

Paul3446

I haven't done it, but know a bit about altitude sickness. It's important to do it quite slow and give yourself time to acclimatise, don't rush it and stop over in some of the villages along the way for a couple of days. People have died doing it, so don't underestimate the dangers. Find out the first signs of Pulminary and Cerebral Oedema (just in case).

Having said all that most people are fine, and it's something I'd love to do myself.

tmo

Commercial mountaineering (although you are only going to base camp) is a BIG NO NO

Rule of thumb, you fall you will be left. No question. Dead or injured you will be left on the mountain.

midget1500

tmo

that's worrying. i've looked at a few companies and they offer insurance and helicopter repatriation etc...i guess these are "must haves".

still hoping that someone from the vast scoobynet has done this before as it is a total unknown to us and obviously not something to take lightly.

Brendan Hughes

What if you only agree to pay balance on completion of the climb?

D1CCY

I've been to the Himalayas twice. One trip was to Kalapatar which at 18500ft overlooks Everest base camp 7 miles from the peak fairly easy. Awesome. Other trip was to Mera peak at 21000ft bloody tough going. I can recommend the "Walking and Climbing company" - small outfit based in East Yorkhiire - Local lass (Suzy) married to a Sherpa (Kalsang) who have become good friends of mine. They will definitely look after you better than anyone else. These sort of heights (which is trekking, not climbing) can be managed by mortals with a reasonable level of fitness ie go to the gym 3 times a week. Don't expect any sanitation after you leave Kathmandu. This is a trip of a lifetime - don't hesitate. PM me if you want to chat.
Go to The Himalayas of Nepal with The Walking and ClimbingCompany
PS go to Gallery 4 on this website, first picture - lunch stop at Mera. That's me in the dark jacket sitting with my back to the camera with a large bald patch. Hardly a claim to fame!

Paul3446

Anyone been watching Everest on Bravo, about the Army attempting the West Ridge?

They had a sponsor come up to Base Camp, he developed altitude sickness and had "what looked like the fluid surrounding his brain, coming out of his nose"

He was lucky they had a decompression tent and they stabilised him, then got him down the mountain.

Paul3446

Quote:
"These sort of heights (which is trekking, not climbing) can be managed by mortals with a reasonable level of fitness ie go to the gym 3 times a week."


I have to say that's not the best advice, altitude sickness has little to do with how fit you are, it can affect anyone at any time. Some people are susceptible to it more than others, you just don't know until you get up there.

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

Just to say my wifes work colleague will be attending a funeral for her friend lost on Everest last week. They won't bother looking for the body until the spring

An experienced climber by all accounts, it happenned higher than base camp.

555-Shaggy

That's scary.. I've been to Nepal twice, but kayaking not trekking (the best bit is it's down hill) and I dropped off my giude books and some other bits last night for a friend who is flying out tomorrow to trek to base camp. If you can wait a couple of weeks, get in touch and I'll report back on what she says..

She is travelling with Exodus, and it is a trek, not a climb - I'll try and let you know what she says, but I will say right now that Nepal is awsome and I love it out there.. love everything about the place.. just ake sure travel insurance covers whatever you are doing, you'll probably have to use a specialist - but otherwise, go and do it...

D1CCY

I have been there and done it. I've also got several T shirts.

Decent companies have a considerable reputation issue over keeping clients alive. The normal rule is not to ascend more than 500m in one day and have a rest day climbing higher then descending to same level every 3 days or so. Yes the risk has to be managed but don't be frightened. First time I went I was 54y and there was a guy in our group of 62y with a heart by-pass and he did OK.

The groups I've been with the Sherpas keep a close eye on their clients and send people down the mountain at any adverse signs. The symptoms are not instant and the cure is generally to descend 500m for quick recovery. Minor symptoms are headache and nausia which is fairly normal as long as it doesn't get worse. The Sherpas will not allow you to take any painkillers which may mask symptoms and lead to dangerous situations. Yes some people are more susceptable than others and the worst case is that you may not be allowed up the mountain and be sent down with a guide to wait for the rest of the party so missing out on part of your adventure.

Altitude sickness can occur as low as 2500m and is not only variable from individual to individual but also in the same individual at different times. Yes it can be a killer but if you manage to die below 6000m then the cause is more likely stupidity than the altitude. Below 6000m we're talking about trekking, above these levels you're into serious stuff and this and other risks are far more significant. Yes people do die climbing Everest but that is a very different proposition to the trekking I'm talking about.

Cheers, Diccy.

PS Jay m A, Sorry about your wife's friend. He/She obviously wasn't trekking but a serious climber. I'm sure she was dedicated and aware of the risk which is very different to trekking. Please don't use this tragedy to put people off from seeing this wonderful country, I'd guess your wife's friend wouldn't want that.

Wurzel

iTrader: (1)

I am thinking of going to the Eiger next spring/summer obviosuly not the north face but maybe south ridge or west face, anybody got any experience of this small lump of rock.?

D1CCY

Technical point.

Helicopter rescue is possible below 6000m and is quite well organised in an emergency (I've seen it in action). Generally Helicopters cannot fly above 6000m because the air is too thin so rescue by this means becomes impossible making serious climbing far more dangerous.

tmo

altitude sickness, never the same twice ! each person can react in different ways.
Same place, same person, two trips, two different reactions.

Once you reach altitude and start pushing the boundaries your body basically wants to start shutting down. And does so in various degrees

Paul3446

I'd be surprised if they flew a helicopter up to base camp for a tourist.

midget1500

sounds a bit more doom and gloom than i would have liked!

i'll certainly have a more reasoned, respectful and cautious approach to the whole thing now.

cheers guys!

D1CCY

tmo, First time I went out I was pretty nauseated but not enough to be sent down. Second time to Mera was up and down a lot and and I had no symptoms at all. This supports what you say and you are correct but this is no reason not to go in the first place as this hazard can be controlled. Its all about acclimatisation, for an extreme example if you were helicoptered to base camp from low altitude then you would probably die in 30 mins. Theres a hotel (Everest view hotel) above Namche Bazaar at about 4300m where all the rooms are oxygenated so rich lazy Subaru homeland tourists can be flown up there, see Everest, get no sense of achievement, and then push off again without dying. Madness.

Paul, Yes they do, all part of the insurance package. Nepal depends on tourism for a lot of the national income so they have an interest in protecting trekkers.

BTW The Maoist insurgency has hurt their tourism although no tourist has been hurt in the troubles. I've heard of people being robbed in the west (Pokara not Everest region) where the Maoists give tourists receipts for robbery to help their insurance claim as even they are sensitive to maintaining tourism.

midget, Don't be put off. Fact is I've done it twice and had a great time and I'm still very much alive (if not more so for the experience and achievment). PM if you want to chat and I'll give you my phone no.

tmo

A walk in the park it isn’t, one of the great challenges to undertake in your life time it certainly is.

But you need to understand the limits of you own personal boundaries.

Be under no illusions If something goes Pete Tongue at that height (even base camp) you are opening a whole world of pain.

If however, you get the chance do it, you will not be disappointed.

I just wanted to give you the dark side that is not always explained in the glossy brochures

Paul3446

I think probably 99% do it, and apart from feeling a bit rough at times, have a great time with no problem. If I had the chance to do it I definitely would!

Don't be put off, but just be aware.

tmo