The Everest Base Camp trek was one of the best experiences of my life. It was not an easy challenge; personally as an amateur trekker, trekking to Everest Base Camp was one of the toughest physical and mental challenges I have completed. However, nothing worthwhile is simple, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. Ian Taylor Trekking, their itinerary, and very specific training advice made it possible. Read some REVIEWS from Ian Taylor Trekking Trips and check out their sleeping at Everest Base Camp Trek.
Trekking for Charity
I signed up to trek to Everest Base Camp for the Irish Heart Foundation in April 2013. The trip was scheduled for September 2013. I was fit but I was not a hill walker and had no experience of climbing mountains, so I had set myself a challenge! I trained hard over the next few months.
Increasing my endurance was essential to my training. I love running, and do circuits weekly, these all contributed to my general fitness but nothing compared to hill walking at the weekends. I climbed a few mountains in Ireland over the summer, Croagh Patrick, Lugnaquilla, Carrauntouhill and spent time in Glendalough. Looking back now, these really helped me, a good level of general fitness is helpful but walking for hours on end will stand to you on the trek.
Having the Correct Physical Training
I tried to train as much as possible with a pack on my back, it was good to get used to having weight on my back. My ability to carry the backpack, my core stability, and my muscle strength all improved as a result of my Pilates practice prior to the trip. Read their training advice.
Prior to the trip, my main concern was the steepness of the actual trail. I was also concerned how altitude would affect me. It was great knowing I could email Ian Taylor’s trekking team at any stage if I had any worries; they would get straight back to me and were very reassuring. Find out more about how to prepare for the downhill.
Arriving in Kathmandu
I met the other seven individuals who were also taking on the challenge at the airport, these guys became my team for the trip. You become very close to the group, there is no ringing home.
Arriving in Kathmandu was an experience in itself, we traveled from the airport to the hotel and I found it fascinating, it is such a busy city. The poverty in Kathmandu and on the mountain, is eye opening, we have so much at home and forget how other people must live. The Nepalese are very friendly people.
Going to Lukla by air From Kathmandu you fly into Lukla to start the trek. Lukla airport is listed as the
most dangerous and extreme airport in the world and it wasn’t hard to see why!
We set off nervously, in a very small plane. It was an adventure in itself, as
We were curious as to how the pilots avoided the mountains. We were all very pleased to land safely on the airstrip, which was the length of a long driveway. We were met by our Sherpa’s and started walking. Our Sherpa’s were fantastic throughout the trip, I have no doubt in my mind that we couldn’t have done it without them.
We had waited months to start this, I was so excited to set off, although the prospect of the entire trek and what lay ahead was nerve wrecking.
The Start of the Trail
We trekked to Phakding for our first night. We stayed in tea houses every night, they were basic but nobody was expecting luxury.
The higher we traveled the more basic
the tea shops Families owned the majority of tea houses. Life is not easy on the mountain. All supplies, food and equipment need to be carried up the mountain by foot in harsh conditions. Porters carry huge heavy loads on their backs; children and women also carry loads up steep hills. The locals show the mountain respect.
I have read so many books and articles on the mountain and it really is a place that grips you. The views, scenery and landscape is unbelievably spectacular throughout the entire trail.
The Namche Mountain The second day on the trail was a definite increase in level of difficulty, this
was the day of steps and they were steep!! The first few days of were warm. the trek, so the sweat was dripping off us.
We met other groups, continuously
along the trek, but the trail was not that busy in September.
There were about three other big groups like us and then groups of twos/ threes and even solo trekkers sometimes. It was a great experience to meet the other trekkers from around the world. When we arrived in Namche Bazzaar (3,440 m), a popular trading town, there were numerous markets and general bustle.
Three Nights in Namche
We had three nights in Namche was a game changer. Acclimatization has to be your number one consideration. The second day in Namche Bazaar we had an active rest day taking a hike to the Sherpa Museum.
The acclimatization days were the most beneficial and hardest days of the trip, we climbed up Shangbouche Hill (3,900m), it was well worth it, the views were great and we got to visit the village of Kumjung, where we visited a school which Sir Edmund Hillary had founded. I really enjoyed Namche Bazzaar and visiting Khumjung, as we got to soak up the culture and meet the locals.
The renowned Tengbouche Abbey The following day, we trekked to Tengbouche (3,867 m), where we saw our first views of Everest, Lothse, Nuptse, and Ama Dablam after crossing numerous suspension bridges. The trail isn’t that wide and most of the time you are walking along cliff edges, there is a steep drop down the side of the trail.
We were all crouching in the ditch as our survival instinct kicked in as we were walking along the trail when we heard screams ahead of us. A yak was thundering towards us on the narrow trail. We had been warned about yaks, heavily built animals similar to highland cattle.
Our Sherpa was brilliant and stopped the yak by grabbing his huge horns. The yak was carrying a gas cylinder when it fell off his back. Two yaks had stampeded down the hill towards us all, unfortunately another lady in a different group had injured her ankle jumping out of the way. We all got a shock and were more wary of yaks from here on in. We arrived at Tengbouche and visited the monastery there, the monks were chanting, it was a unique experience.
