Nepal Everest trek

Butthead

Im planning to do the EBC trek with a group called 'Mountain Club'. Does anyone have any experience with them.
Has anyone done this trek before. I wonder if i will be able for it. I am a reasonably fit 28 year old guy (at least i was when i left home, a lot of drinking and smoking has been done in my 6 weeks so far in India) but i have never trekked before in my life.

rahulc

hi,
I would suggest that u work out a month before u start the trek, go for long walks and jogs every morning otherwise it would be difficult to complete your trek. So prepare yourself.

enjoy!!!

Butthead

Well i have gone and booked this so i guess i will soon find out if i am too unfit to do the trek or if i end up getting shot by Maoist rebels. I depart from Varanasi by bus on Saturday. I figure after coming all the way to India it would be a shame not to do.

himadventures

Although you had booked yourself-there are two most important factors about it.

Your fitness: Most important to have good fittness as this requires walking into thin air.

Maoist Trouble: Most agenices had stopped operations due to large no. of complaints and fear of Maoist attacks and kidnapping.
Following pattern of IRAQ REBELS they can go for such a act. I would say...check out !!

George

I've just come back from Nepal after doing the Annapurna circuit and the Maoist trouble is massively overhyped. I didn't meet any during the 3 week trek and those people I know that did desribed the experience as almost a pleasure! You hand over the $15 levy have a chat and then move on. From what I've heard, EBC is much the same so don't let anyone put you off going to Nepal - I arrived back in India (Calcutta) and I immediately wish I was back in Nepal.

Have fun - and cut out the smokes between now and the trek and you'll be sweet.

Butthead

Thanks for the replies. I am aware that there is a risk of going to Nepal, however i did not think it was compable to Iraq. I dont think it is but bad things may happen anywhere.
Anyway i will go ahead with my trip and i will let you all know the outcome. I would be very interested in hearing from any of you who have been to Nepal and have had first hand experience with some of the rebels. My understanding (from what i have read on this and any other travel websites) is that you only have to pay what they ask for and they leave things at that.
Although India is great, in mu opinion trekking cannot compare to Nepal, and when i am so close to the place i cannot pass up this opportunity.

ramalaka

I have some friends who have been working in Nepal for over a year on a prioject that works on protecting young women and kids from abuse. Yhree months ago they have pulled back from the villages to KMD only. Again, they live there and say it is serious; George may have not had any problems, but as over 150 people have died in the past few months, his statement that the situation is "over-hyped" is a careless and cavalier statement.

I plan on going there in a few months with two friends with whom I have travelled and done other adventure kayaking trips with - guys that have cool heads, street smarts and can be trusted. We think it is serious but are going to Nepal anyway and are seriously considering hiring a couple of armed guards -ex army guys.

I suggest having a solid plan if and when you have problem with Maoists or the army or whomever. (I travelled in Guatemala when the civil war was going on and had problems with both rebels and the army. In one case, a fellow traveller saved our asses and in the other, I did)

FYI, I keep my cash stashed in 3 different locations on my body and a wallet with some cash that I am ready to part with when the going gets thick and some back up cash if that doesn't satisfy.

atma

I just got back from spending 4 months in Nepal. While I was there, I did the EBC and ABC treks. When doing EBC, I flew in/out of Lukla instead of hiking in from Jiri to avoid the Maoists and lots of walking! If you are concerned about the Maoists, I'd suggest doing the same though from my experience encountering them at ABC, I don't think that as a tourist they'd cause you many problems if you simply paid them what they ask (usually $15). Your biggest danger would be encountering them while with government soldiers. I don't know if there is any truth to this but I heard from a few people that the Maoists have mined (radio controlled not pressure) some places between Lukla and Jiri and have warned people not to be around soldiers in the area. If you fly into Lukla, this won't be an issue.

As for fitness, don't worry about it so much. The trek was much easier than I expected. Anyone who is reasonably fit can do it w/o much difficulty IF THEY LISTEN TO THEIR BODY, LET IT PROPERLY ACCLIMATIZE, AND DON'T RUSH IT. The altitude is what makes the trek difficult, not the trails or the distances. In fact the distances are pretty short at times, 3-4hr days and that leads people to rush and go up a bit faster than they should. An extra day or two along the way makes all the difference.

One other thing. I was there in Sept and it was already getting cold, below zero, at night. In late November it will be freezing, possibly -20C or less at the higher altitutes so be prepared with warm clothing. The lodges are pretty good but it's still very cold.

Oh, as you are going with a group check to see that they aren't ascending too fast and that they have a policy to split the group if some people aren't acclimatizing to allow them to continue on a day later. Most people who get altitude sickness are in groups because they feel the pressure to go on and stay with the group. You should have a rest day in Namche and again in Pangboche/Dengboche. The lonely planet and all the other guide books are pretty clear on this if you have questions. Many people can "get away" with a faster ascent but not everyone and not all the time. There are usually lots of sick people at Lobuche.

One last thing, you should have your evacuation insurance on file with the group in Kathmandu in case you need to be helicoptered out. Apparently, they don't rescue you unless you can prove that you can pay! Oh, and if anyone starts vomiting, have them DESCEND immediately along w/ someone. Might simply be a bad stomach as many claim, but it's also a sign of severe altitute sickness and not worth the risk. Just go down to where you were ok the night before and rest. Chances are that you can continue on in a day or two.

ENJOY YOUR TREK. The Khumbu is amazing.
A

Butthead

Thanks Atma for the useful advice. I am ot actually part of a group, i will be trekking alone with my guide only (i've been told i dont need a proter as the guide can carry everything). I am also flying in and out of Lukla and the people i'v booked this with tells me that that cuts out any potential problem areas.
I could not get a flight so i have to bus in from Varanasi. Did you fly yourself or travel to Nepal by bus.

Butthead

Well i am just back now from 3 weeks in Nepal so i will give my opinion on this much discussed topic.
If you are trekking in the Everest region there is no Maoist presence. Only if you trek from Lukla to Jiri or vice versa do you have a chance of running into them but most people on the trekking circut fly in and out of Lukla.
If you trek on the Annapurna circut there is a chance you will encounter Maoists, however from what i have headr from people first hand is (as we all already know), you only have to pay the thousand or so rupee fee.
Kathmandun seems completely safe, you would not even think that there is trouble in the country and you would surely not stop and think about it at any stage of what you are doing while there. I found KTM to eb a really cool city, great shopping, good bars, great restuarants, a far nicer city than any in India.
As regards the Everest trekking, it is tough, but even if you are only of average Fitness (like me) but are very determined to complete it you will, provided you dont get badly affected by the altitude. I, and most others, had very bad headaches at the higher altitudes, but nothing sufficient to make us turn back. Also you need to be able to put up with sleepless nights due to hyperactivity at higher altitudes and the cold.
Anyway the trekking season is coming to an end now. I would advise everybody not to be scared off of visiting Nepal. To me it was as if there was no problems in the country. As much as i like India (im back there now in Goa) Nepal has been the highlight of my 3 month trip.