EBC in April 2012

kashrajan

Hi I'm planning a trip to EBC with 4-5 friends in between 15-30 April 2012? Can someone guide me about the route, recommended guides, logistics (renting of sleeping bags, tents etc) and whether I need to book anything in advance? I'm relatively new to trekking, have done a couple of treks in Uttarakhand.

cs9954

Hi kashrajan,

Trek to EBC can be done solo or via guides by a person of better than average health, As the entire journey is through trails.It is called a teahouse trek as your stay during the trek will be in teahouses.
Tents can be rented in KTM along with all necessary gear - I wouldn't do it as you wouldn't know what to expect from the gear you are renting.
It is advisable to get bookings done via agents in India or Nepal as the tea houses can get crowded during season.
The weather gets really unpredictable after 12:00 noon and i wouldn't risk it if its my first trip to EBC.

Some points to note
1) Keep additional days for emergencies like bad weather ( KTM to Lukla flight do get cancelled often )
2) Moderate workout ( running / trekking , swimming ) will improve your experience as you will be able to enjoy the place rather than worry about putting your next step.
3) Start drinking 5 liters of water everyday from now and as you will be required to drink 5 liters on the trek even if you are not thirsty. You will lose lot of fluids during the trek due to low humidity, practice drinking more water starting now
4) Medical check for all is advisable before the trip ( to avoid any surprises )

Maps / Routes / can be found on the net just search for EBC Trek..
There are some really good videos on youtube - of people doing the actual trek...

cs9954

Amazing - Just saw that the question was more than 2 years old ....

Raj0410

No it was not 2 years old. He has posted the thread today.

I just want to add that EBC is a high altitude trek and probably it would be wise to test the effect of altitude on one's body at lower heights to begin with. Having said that, let me also confess that it is not mandatory to follow that. But one may get surprises on the trail !

It anyways is very important to have a fit body before a trek is attempted. So, 4-5 kms of running and/or stair climbing may give you just enough stamina to address the requirement.

Best of luck and happy trekking.

Rajat

praveenb

if you are comfortable taking a small chance, you can take a guide cum porter with you. get off the place at Lukla and you will be met with a lot of them.

Kamron

Gokyo Valley is nicer IMHO

The path is very straighforward

No guide needed unless you do the pass but a good guide can organize everything for you, plus you're helping out a local, a bad guide can ruin your trip. It's peak season for the guides, best to get a recommendation so you get a dependable guide, not a morose, rakshi drinking idiot.

A porter is very much recommended, I carried my own stuff the entire trip and suffered like a dog

Expect a lot of traffic, having a guide and a small group like yours might enable you to get a bed further up the valley where accommodation is at a premium, your guide might run ahead and get you a bed

Go slowly! Drink LOTS of water

Days are short in general, but hard due to the altitude; acclimatize as much as you can beforehand if possible

Being in great shape isn't needed, going slowly is the way to do it

Allow for delays in Lukla........

bond007

Good Luck!!

I'm also doing the EBC trek in April (the exact date is from 10-23).

Do pass along what you find from all sources.
Thanks!!