Unusual Tips and Advice for the Everest Base Camp Trek
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ค. 2024
- #ebctrek #everestbasecamptrek #hikingtips
Before I went on the everest base camp trek I must have watched at least 20 videos offering advice and tips, mainly on the big pieces of kit that you're going to need.
As such, I didn't want to do a 'what to pack for the EBC trek' type video because that's already been covered. Instead, whilst I was doing the trek I started to note down all of the things that I hadn't seen in articles or videos....so these are all of those little pieces of advice!
1. When to go
I went in the off season (December) and whilst it's colder, most of the guides that I spoke to seemed to enjoy it more. Not only does it have the least precipitation of any month so you get clear blue skies, but there's less people on the trail. Having said that, you don't get to see everest base camp with all the climbers, but you do get to avoid crouded trails and tea houses.
2. Buying kit in Kathmandu
I satyed in Thamel which seems to be the main area where people stay in Kathmandu. Whilst there's load of hiking shops in the area, I would advise buying boots, jacket and sleeping bag to make sure you get the proper quality stuff.
3. First days on the EBC trek
As I said in the video, this is something you're probably going to do anyway. I know I did, but you don't want to be stopping all the time to take pictures because you want to keep ahead of the donkey trains and the dust, as well as conserve your batteries. The views only get better so the first few days, whilst amazing, are just the appetizer.
4. Go Slow
This may not apply to everyone, but I certainly found myself going too fast and it took me multiple days to figure out. Just relax, you have all day. Take it slow.
5. Arriving at the tea houses
I had a little ritual that helped as soon as I arrived at the tea houses. Baby wipe bath to stop myself smelling too bad and then drying my boots and socks. As you get higher and it get colder, any moisture is essentially frozen overnight, so putting your socks and boots on (if you haven't dried them out) isn't particularly nice.
6. Warm sleeping bag
A lot of people advise putting boiling water in your water bottle and putting that in your sleeping bag. I didn't actually do that. Instead I would get all of my pre-sleep stuff done (brush my teeth, go to the toilet) and then sit by the stove in the main area till I was roasting hot and then jump on my sleeping bag. It meant that I didn't have to wait 20 minutes for my sleeping bag to warm up.
7. Look at the stars.
The stars are incredible above 4000m. Take the time, brave the cold and go outside.
8. Charging electronic & internet
Charging stuff was really easy when I was there, but that might have been because there were very few people in the tea houses. They all have pretty clear signs and pricing for charging.
You can buy access to Everest Link which gives you data at the tea houses, as long as the router is working. I also had an Ncell SIM card but that didn't work above Pengboche.
9. Strap mount for cameras & batteries
If you have a larger camera, buy a cold shoe mount that attaches to your rucksack strap. It's a real pain having to carry your camera or take it out of its case everytime you want to take a picture, espeically the higher you go as your hand get cold.
If you have a GoPro, make sure you have the enduro batteries. The normal batteries didn't work for me because of the cold.
10. Gaffa tape on your water bottle
This is something that I'm going to keep, just wrapping some gaffa tape around a water bottle. Down jackets can rip and you never know when gaffa tape comes in handy!
11. Earplugs
The tea houses have thin walls and wooden floors. Not great when everyone is walking around in boots and you're trying to get to sleep.
12. Nasal Spray
A real god send. Everything is so dry, especially when you wake up in the morning, so a few sprays makes you feel like a new person.
13. Suncream stick
As you get higher and it gets colder, you don't really want to be having to apply suncream and get sticky hands. Get a roll on suncream stick and you'll be able to stop yourself getting burned without all the mess.
14. Itinerary & Medication
Take an extra day in Pengboche to do Ama Dablam base camp and definitely check out Chola lake, it was the best place I saw on the whole tip.
Also make sure, if you take daily medication, that you take more than you need. Factor in any delays at Lukla.
0:00 - Cleaning up after the EBC Trek
1:38 - Buying gear in Kathmandu
3:03 - When to go to Everest Base Camp
4:28 - First days
5:12 - Go Slow
5:59 - Arriving at tea houses
6:52 - Warm sleeping bag
7:46 - Look at the stars
8:22 - Charging & Internet
9:57 - Cameras & Batteries
10:50 - Gaffa tape on your water bottle
11:17 - Earplugs
12:33 - Nasal Spray
13:02 - Suncream Stick
13:42 - Itinerary & Medication
Love #7 - Look at the stars. Thats something that doesn't get mentioned in EBC videos. Thanks!
Very nice video with good advices , thank you , I'm doing EBC trekking in October this year so yours advices er helpful , can you recommended guide which you was working with ?
For the dust and the dry air wearing a buff is a solution? Great video btw thanks
I loved your tips of warming yourself by the stove just before getting in your sleeping bag, and taking the time to look at the stars. I lived in central Australia for a few years a long time ago and the stars were absolutely amazing! Gotta do that. I'm doing the EBC in October this year.
Think the best advice is to go of season be like a cattle market if lots of people
Thank you boss, every tips is priceless. 13:55 Do you mean Chola Lake?
Totally value your opinion Simon, and your extremely worthy contribution, Thank you.
The sunscreen stick is best advice I haven't thought before. Great.
Brilliant video, thanks so much!
One of the best reviews on the EBC trek. Great job, thanks amigo! :)
Truly excellent tips, thanks so much!!
This is great! Thank you
Excellent tips!!!
Simon, your EBC videos are abosulutely terrific. Well done and congrats. I'm going there in November and I hope to have similar weather and not too many more people than your trip. Thanks for the Vids. Regards, Travis from Australia.
@The LaZy HiKeR - thanks Travis and I hope they’re useful for you when you go in November, you’ll have an awesome time!
Need clarification on the lake. Can someone share a google map link?
Thanks Russell Brand!
Totally agreed with your comments! I had done mine on 15 to 27 March 2023. I was quite lucky because road was not dusty due to light rain and snow on and off beginning 5 days of my trek. After that, weather turn super good with blue sky and sun but very cold. Luckily I am renting -20 sleeping bag because the temperature drop to -17 at Dingboche. Overall not too crowded during mid March, crowd only kick in on end March where I saw lots of big group trekkers during my way back to Lukla ~~~Phew~~~ This is a memorable hike and always prepare well for such altitude hike especially for Asian like me which our country is hot everyday😅 I would have bring the nasal spray if your video post before my trip😂
@Jojo Chai - yeah I heard that the weather got really cold in the last couple of weeks there and it’s interesting that the crowds appeared late March - the same happened with my trek as I was heading back down.
Yeah the nasal spray was a real god send - sounds like you enjoyed the trek without it though!
Loved the series. Can you give a video or comments on how you chose and booked your guide?
@Lindsay de Jongh - glad you liked it. In terms of how I chose my guide, I literally just spent an hour Googling for guides, and put them in a spreadsheet (about 15). I then discounted the cheapest and most expensive and emailed about 8 of them with some questions. I found that a lot of them just replied with a copy and paste 'welcome and itinerary' email, whereas only a couple actually replied to my questions (and all of the are called something too do with trek, Nepal, Himalayas or a combination of those words! Figured that the ones that took the time to actually answer questions would provide a better service so after just a couple of emails I knew which one I wanted to go with - would recommend Ghanesh every time though!
Thank you for this. Every tip adds up & encourages to go solo off season. Will look up for off beat places recommended too & add up to my list. Tell me if without guide is a good idea? Pros and Cons
You cant go without a guide anymore, there is a new law since 2022.
with due respect , there is no need for a guide at sagarmatha national park even today.
@@foodiewien6123
Thanks for tips and I’ll be there in Sept to do solo with guide. I was led to believe Sept was out of peak season and now you have me thinking.
I’d interested to learn more of your altitude sickness experience and what led to you turning back.
Hi Simon .. awesome tips and suggestions! Thank you.
Also can you pls share the contact details of your guide ?
Great info, cheers. I’m going in late Nov early Dec. What rating sleeping bag did you take? I’m a warm sleeper and I want to carry my own stuff so trying to stay light.
You’ll have an awesome time! I think mine was rated to -20 and it was fine, I’m also a warm sleeper but boy oh boy does it get cold higher up, especially with the lack of oxygen
@@WiththeSparrows ok cool, thanks. If I remember I’ll come back here to comment on how it went.
This video is so helpful, because i’m planning to go next week, really near. Can i ask you the price for flight from Kathmandu to Lukla? Can you give me your name of your guide 😂 because I know a guide name Ganesh too
You should have included the tip for alternate route up via Mong La - Phortse - Pangpoche instead of going up via Tengboche like 98% of trekkers do, twice. Spectacular views, no trekkers, come down via Tengboche.
@Kari Pintakivi - ah yes, unfortunately I'd filmed this video a while back and hadn't got to editing! I'll try and pin your comment so that others can see
@@WiththeSparrows really no need bro , might like to cover it on your next trip?