BASE CAMP EVEREST

Lucky you. I went a couple of years ago and it was absolutely fabulous.  I took a 4 seasons sleeping bag and it was not enough for me though luckily many of the lodges we stayed at had blankets we could use. I think the ones Exodus hire are 5 seasons and the people who used them were snug. Apart from that lots of layers, some buffs for protection from sun/dust/cold (and to breathe through when using some of the 'facilities'!), well broken in boots, loads of sun cream, lipsalve, throat sweets, woolly hat, thermals and loads of whatever you take for headaches. I bought a duvejacket in Kathmandu that screws up really small but is toasty - we've been up Kili together since and it served me well!

Enjoy!

Hi Caroline, thanks for the feedback. I've hired one of the Exodus sleeping bags and duvet jackets as well.  Mainly cos I'm coming from SA, so flying to England first, and I thought it would be easier to travel light.  What's the weather like during the day.   My brother did it about 20 years ago over Christmas and he said that he was walking in shorts and T-shirt? But there again he was 20! Also I don't eat red meat or pork is that going to be a problem do you think?  Thought about doing Kili but from the mates I've got who have done it seems like a lot of traffic!

Hi, I'm still thinking about joining this trip. Given that I'm planning another 2 week Exodus trip in Feb (cycle safari Tanzania) for my 40th birthday, I'm not sure I can justify going on this trip too, but it looks so much fun I'm very tempted!

Oops- forgot where I posted my comment so didn't come back to it! During the day (in November) the weather was generally dry and sunny until mid afternoon - warm up to Tengboche (t shirt and shorts when walking) and cooler after that. It wasn't until over 4000m that the long sleeves were a permanent feature. By the time you get higher than that we found it was quite chilly to start so a couple of extra layers were needed which came on and off depending on whether the sun was out or not. The last couple of days I needed my jacket and hat and gloves! Evenings are cold - generally we huddled round the stove until 8 or so and then took our warm bodies to bed to try to retain some heat! We didn't have any rain at all. 

Hardly any of us ate meat at all on the trek - there is little choice but when you have seen one of the porters sprinting up ahead of you with a pig carcass on his back covered in flies you'll probably lose any appetite you had for meat. One guy did have 'buffalo' on the way up at Namche but was very sick. There isn't much variation at the various places you'll stay - they all offer varieties of noodles or egg and chips though some have pizzas. Consiering what it takes to get the food there though I thought they did a fabulous job and there IS always a choice. I noticed that nothing was ever off the menu but my friend commented that that's probably because 'sell-by' dates don't apply. Having said that, apart from meat-man, none of us really got sick at all - the lodges are chosen by Exodus for all sorts of reasons but I'm led to believe that hygiene is quite high on their list. 

I'm trying to plan my December trip after my planned one was cancelled. Toying with the Annapurna Circuit - I did part of it 20 years ago and it's still on my list...

Enjoy Everest

C

Hi Caroline and Di,

Thanks for your comments.  Being 52..... what I'd like to call a very young 52, have been training my butt off this year for Everest.  Think I'm at a bit of an advantage, living in Johannesburg we are always 2000 ft above sea level, so hoping Altiude sickness won't affect me too much.  would be great Di if you could join the group.  At the moment there seems to be only 4 of us, 3 from America and moi!  Am off tomorrow for my vaccinations... I have a phobia about injections so my daughter is coming along to hold my hand and so I have a shoulder to cry on, what I go through to do something I really enjoy!  Caroline I appreciate your comments about the food.  Will stick to vegetarian on the trip.  am also off to get thermal undergloves and socks for the trip and I did think about a balaclava, if only to keep warm during the night!  Chat soon.  Hil

 

Ah sorry, in the end I went for the Inca Trail instead, I cna't remember why but it won out this time over Everest! Will be interested to know how you get on, maybe I'll do it next year!

Hil, Sounds like you'll be fine. We had a chap in his 60s who was so fit he ran and forwards taking photos and videos which he later shared. Have a great trip. I'm off to Rajasthan! C

Well, I'm really sorry you're not on the trip Di, but enjoy the Inca Trail, and Caz have a wonderful trip to Rajasthan.

 

Hi Hil3,

I have just booked onto this trip. Just regret you are coming all the way from Jo'Burg but will not be bringing the group biltong.

hi,my name is rob,im booked on the everest base camp trip leaving on the 16th dec 2011.would like to catch up with anybody going.i live in jersey channel islands uk.im 43,easy going,up for a laugh,enjoy a challenge,enjoy life,good food(that could be intresting on this trip)love northern soul music,love walking.....

hi caroline south africa,i live at sea level,so you could have an edge there..altitude is the only thing that bothers me,never been this high,but should be fun,looking forward to the views and to meet some nice people at the same time.cheers rob

hi russell.were you coming from ?

cheers rob

Hi Rob,

I'm from UK.

Did Killi a few years back - no one had any problems with altitude sickness - slow ascent is the key.

Are you flying out from Heathrow ?

If anyone will be in Oxon / London between now and departure - and is feeling thirsty - give me a shout - 07967 681 885.

Russell 

 

Hi Rob,

I'm from UK.

Did Killi a few years back - no one had any problems with altitude sickness - slow ascent is the key.

Are you flying out from Heathrow ?

If anyone will be in Oxon / London between now and departure - and is feeling thirsty - give me a shout - 07967 681 885.

Russell 

 

Hi Rob,

I'm from UK.

Did Killi a few years back - no one had any problems with altitude sickness - slow ascent is the key.

Are you flying out from Heathrow ?

If anyone will be in Oxon / London between now and departure - and is feeling thirsty - give me a shout - 07967 681 885.

Russell 

 

Hi Rob,

I'm from UK.

Did Killi a few years back - no one had any problems with altitude sickness - slow ascent is the key.

Are you flying out from Heathrow ?

If anyone will be in Oxon / London between now and departure - and is feeling thirsty - give me a shout - 07967 681 885.

Russell 

 

Hi Rob,

I'm from UK.

Did Killi a few years back - no one had any problems with altitude sickness - slow ascent is the key.

Are you flying out from Heathrow ?

If anyone will be in Oxon / London between now and departure - and is feeling thirsty - give me a shout - 07967 681 885.

Russell 

 

Hi Rob,

I'm from UK.

Did Killi a few years back - no one had any problems with altitude sickness - slow ascent is the key.

Are you flying out from Heathrow ?

If anyone will be in Oxon / London between now and departure - and is feeling thirsty - give me a shout - 07967 681 885.

Russell 

 

I'm not a parrot - but nor an IT specialist !

hi russell

i am flying from heathrow

ive got to fly into gatwick some time that morning,then coach to heathrow,thats the plan at the moment

ive got no plans for being in london any time soon,i fly to the midlands very often,but if i find myself in london,ill give you a shout

cheers rob

Hi Rob and Russell, was beginning to think it was me plus yak and sherpa, so glad to have you along.  And of course I'll bring some group biltong, won't be eating it myself but you lot can fight over it!  Am flying to England to spend time with my family and to get fattened up, so I guess I'll meet you all at Heathrow.  Just to piss you off it's about 35 degrees here today..... heh ho, somebody has to live here!

Hi guys, glad to have you along.  Will bring the biltong.  Am flying to England on 8th for a bit of r&r before the trip.  So guess I'll be meeting you both at Heathrow.