How To Prepare For Everest Base Camp Trek

How To Prepare For Everest Base Camp Trek


Every travel fanatic wishes to summit the highest mountain in the world someday. Located in the Khumbu region, the home of the Magnificent Everest, the journey to the EBC is beautifully filled with natural and cultural facets, making it one of the best opportunities to enjoy the mighty Everest Peaks.


The trek is relatively easy till the base camp as it requires no climbing gears. The paths are mildly strenuous and the Everest Base Camp is very achievable.

When you cross paths will old and young, men and women in the route, overweight and underweight, you will know all it takes is the determination to complete the journey.

But it’s always good to be prepared for the worst and carry the medication and trekking gears with you. 
If you are a trekking person, it is better to walk as the mountains on the backdrop will accompany you throughout.

The trek usually takes 12-14 days but hugely depends upon your trekking capacity. Ascending the higher altitudes, one might be prone to altitude sickness so every viable thing should be done to evade this problem while trekking.

 
It’s not that every person submits Everest successfully but the view from the Base Camp is equally serene and standing so close to the tallest snow-flaked mountain is beyond words to describe. So people who love some exotic rush and mighty mountains a lot of care to visit the base camp.

There are no roads on the route to the Base Camp so the only way to reach the Base Camp is trekking through the Khumbu Valley from Lukla. The other option is via helicopter which is a rather expensive approach. 


Here in this article, we have summoned 20 most effective ways to prepare for EBC trek for your absolute convenience. Maybe try ticking them off your list just to be sure that you have done what it is needed to be done in your preparation for the trek to the foothills of mighty Everest.


1.     Maximize you Acclimatization


First and foremost, you are required to have the maximum level of acclimatization as built into your itinerary. We highly recommend you to spend at least 3 nights at Namche Bazar which will give you a safer experience in low oxygen conditions. Additional time spent on this critical acclimatization stage would help your body to produce more red blood cell ultimately helping you to carry more oxygen and move safely.


2. Performing some specific training


Since you will be hiking up and down on the mountainous trails with around 6kgs of weights on your back, specific physical training is important. Your endurance training and leg strength would be useful while on this trek. Therefore, you can practice the training beforehand with some light hiking wearing a weighted backpack.


3. Preparing or the elevation gain


Before commencing the trek, you need to have a clear understanding of what altitude you will reach for better preparation.  If you have thought of preparing a training plan, you need to understand the elevation gain for each day of the trip. The best way to practice for elevation is by adding weights to your backpack as you work out.


4. Building a right training plan for you


You need to be building up a preparation plan around 3 months ahead of the climb. If you really need to focus on your core strength and health condition, you need to build a perfect plan that suits you the best. To develop the right training plan, you should follow up to point number 2 and 3.


5. Packing upright clothing for yourself


Having the proper clothing, sleeping bags and trekking boots makes the trek a lot easier than expected. It is really important that you are comfortable in what you wear. You will need the right layers of clothing and backpacks, of course, to ease yourself in this wonderful trek of a lifetime.


6. Choose the best footwears


It is really important to get into comfortable footwear for any kind of trek. Opt for some rigid sole shoes which are lightweight, warm and waterproof. Wear two layers of thermal socks with insulated coverings to keep your feet warm.


7. Choose the right food for you


Consuming the right food in the right amount is very important while on his trek. The food is not the best on the trails but you could put some effort to find the best available lodges. Make sure to choose the right agency (not the cheap ones) to keep yourself away for every food and accommodation related issues.


8. Getting vaccines before the trek


You need to get some shots to protect yourself from Malaria. Apart from that, you will be prescribed to bring some medications with you during the course of the trek. Just to be on the safe side, you could try immunizing yourself with the Anti-Flu vaccine to protect yourself from extreme weather conditions.


9. Understanding the Landscape you will be trekking on


Try watching some raw footage on Everest Base Camp trek. You can start exploring by investing some time to research some facts about Lukla Airport. Watch some videos about the Trails especially between Tengboche to Dingboche and trails ascending up to the EBC.


10.  Stay well hydrated


Hydration is important while on any trekking expedition. You need to be drinking about 5 liters of water on a daily basis in order to keep yourself moving. Since hydration is critical in a short oxygen environment, it is your prime responsibility to take care of yourself.


Drinking enough water and protecting oneself from the sun could be the primary precautions you should follow while on a high altitude trek. Make a schedule to drink water such that you won’t get dehydrated.


11.  Getting the pace “correct”


“Slow and Steady Wins the race”. The proverb stands critical to success on your EBC trek.  This doesn't mean that you can begin the trek unprepared. However, even though you are fully prepared, make sure not to rush to reach the destination.
Your leg strength is super important so rest your legs and try following the pace your legs can comfortably support.


12.  Choose a better agency that provides authentic guides.


Guides are super important for any trek since they not only accompany you to the trek but also introduce you to the surrounding bound with nature and culture. Choose an agency with better ratings rather than keeping the money as a prime concern. Make sure the agency is authorized to provide you with guides that are certified to assist you in the Journey.


13.  Prioritize your safety standards


Regardless of say, your safety should be the number one priority. Make sure to carry enough oxygen because you will need to have proper access to oxygen as you ascend towards the base camp. On top of that, it is necessary that you evaluate your heart rate and oxygen level once or twice a day.


14.   Make sure you have one guide allocated to a maximum of three people


Most of the groups are formed with ten distinctive people. Make sure to have at least four guides for each group. You will be needing proper support of the guide as you will struggle in the mountains. Guides will help you to minimize the risk you are taking in the strange Himalayan environment.


15.  Seek professional advice


You need to get proper guidance and advice from professionals before you initiate your journey. Have a chat with a person who has completed the trek before. They will answer your questions, clear all your doubts and ultimately help you to get awesome training advice.  


16.  Practice the right breathing techniques while you are low on oxygen


Deep breathing is very important while you are on the trails. Since your body will starve oxygen in the higher region, you need to force oxygen into yourself. The right way of doing it is to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. This technique requires a focus so maybe try practicing it before you are on the trails.


Trekking to the base camp of the world’s tallest peak is undoubtedly an incredible experience and with the above-mentioned trek preparation plan, the experience would be seamless and easy. If you are to follow the plan we provided, an unforgettable trekking experience would be achieved by anyone regardless of age or physical fitness ability.


We suggest you research on the trails you will be following just to be on the upper hand knowledge. Knowing about the path will benefit you exponentially and would definitely be beneficial. We hope that through this article, we were able to provide you with a framework on how you should prepare yourself for Everest Base Camp trek.


There will be some days longer than the others, try preparing yourself both physically and mentally. Do your own research for a number of times but stick to our preparation plan as it is vital if you want to successfully summit the EBC trek.
Have a safe time visiting the Everest Base Camp. Namaste!
 

 

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