EBC and Gokyo Lakes
Hi,
Yes, I'm going - although I think I'm going on 14th, so now you've got me worried! Have you done this sort of thing before? I've actually been to Nepal years ago, but only as a tourist not trekking. And I've climbed Kilimanjaro and was OK at altitude, but again that's years ago. I pretty much expect to be the slowest in the group - I usually am!
Maureen.
Hi,
I'm going on the 14th too, don't know why I put 15th on. I haven't done anything quite like this before, have been training quite intensely, haven't really done much altitude trecking before so it will be an experience. I'm sure I'll challenge you for the slow award.
Rich
Hi. I'd say don't bust a gut on the intensive training. The thing with a long trek like this at altitude is to take it slowly - if you rush you're more likely to be ill. Do you walk much normally? I walk with my walking club in the Yorkshire Dales, but that's a bit gentle - will try to get over to the Lakes a few times before March.
BTW, when I rang up earlier to pay my balance I was shocked to find there are only 4 of us booked, plus a provisional. And I'm the only woman, which is scary. Hope we all get on! It'll be a bit claustrophobic if we don't.
Maureen.
Maureen.
I was expecting at least double that many people. You're right, it won't be too much fun if we don't get on - I'm sure we will though. I like to walk, but don't do it anywhere near often enough. I'm planning a trip to Snowdon at the beginning of Feb and earlier in the year I spent a couple of weeks camping in Scotland, although that was extremely gentle - more of a sightseeing holiday with a bit of camping.
Rich
Hi there Rich & Maureen, good to meet you both. I've just confirmed my place on the trek this afternoon, really excited to be going! Hoping that I'm suited to the high altitude, as I've never trekked at anything like that before! Murray mints apparently a must-take, they keep Khumbu cough at bay!? :) Should be an amazing experience though, can't wait to be in that landscape.
cheers
Matt
Hi there,
Welcome aboard - the more the merrier! I'm really looking forward to it, but am fussing about what to take etc. Have bought a new Rab down jacket, now in search of a mega sleeping bag. Bit worried about the 12kg limit on the Lukla flight. By the way, are either youi or Rich intending to use Diamox?
Maureen.
Hey Maureen,
It's quite a gear list isn't it! I think that a down jacket is a must have for those cold nights...I guess it's still winter up until April despite having daytime temps into the twenties! I think the weight limit is for the Lukla flight isn't it? I know that we'll be able to store anything at the Kathmandu hotel in excess of that limit too. I'm not too sure about Diamox yet, I'd like to try and do it by slowly aclimatising as I hear the side effects can be weirdly tingling hands with Diamox. That said, it it means the difference beween getting to base camp or not, I'd definately take it. The only slight worry I have is the weather, as I hear you can get a dump of snow up there at that time of year, and I'd hate to be denied a chance to get to Gokyo Ri or base camp becuase of snow! But hey, not many places where you can geuess the weather huh :)
Matt
Hi,
I took Diamox for the summit of Kilimanjaro (many years ago) and yes, I tingled from the elbows and knees down! But that was only one tablet - think you're really meant to take it for longer. So we'll see - if I can get the doctor to give me some for a start! Yes, I think you can leave stuff in Kathmandu - I read that somewhere, maybe a review?
And yes, I really hope we get good weather - it'll be pretty hard otherwise. I'm hoping the rhodadendrons etc will be out lower down, hope it's not too early for that.
Maureen.
Hi Matt/Maureen,
I hadn't really thought much about altitude tablets. I guess I'll be the first to need them as I haven't been anywhere near that height before. As for the kit list I'm trying to get everything I need, but have no idea how I'm going to fit it all in a 12kg limit - it'll be a fun task.
I've just started getting vaccinations for the trip, turns out there is quite a few, have you guys gone for rabies?
Hope you're both well.
Rich
Hey Rich/Maureen
Yeah, the altitude is going to be interesting huh!? I'm genuinely not sure what effects to expect from it, and I think it's difficult to guage just how you'll react until you're there. Maureen, I wondered how many of your group on the Kilimanjaro trek felt the effects badly? Must be a great feeling to have done one of the seven summits though! I watched a good doco on the beeb this weekend, all about the human body at altitude. Here if you're interested;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b019x6qr/To_Boldly_Go_Up/
I think I'll definately be asking the doc about it when I go get my rabies jab (now there's a sentence I never thought I'd say! :) Which jabs did you get Rich? I ought to get those out of the way soon....ergh, needles.
Are you both hoping to pack everything in Exodus kit bag from home, or are you taking a bigger bag and repacking at Kathmandu? I'm cuious to see the size of this bag when it drops through my letterbox.
Well, 8 weeks today and I guess we'll be in Kathmandu...can't wait!
best
Matt
Yes, I saw that documentary about altitude as well - it was interesting, but didn't tell me anything new. When I did Kili all my group were OK - one older guy turned a bit blue at 12,000", but he'd recovered by morning. We all popped Diamox and Hedex at Kibo Hut at 15,000" and all made the top. But it's a really hard slog - 4,000" zig zagging up scree in the dark at -20C, you just want to die. And on the summit ridge you take about 3 steps then have to pause for breath. So we weren't ill, but it's just very hard. However, on the way up we passed loads of groups who hadn't made it. I certainly don't think the alt sickness tablets are really necessary for us - they might just help a bit.
I won't opt for the rabies shot - there are no animals up there anyway! The only thing would be if you got bitten by a money visiting Swayambunath stupah near Kathmandu, but that's pretty unlikely. It used to be that if you got bitten you'd definitely die, but now you can have the injections after the bite - all the advance injection does is buy you time, but if you're bitten in Kathmandu you're OK anyway cos there are hosps there.
I've not been allowed to see my doctor yet - I've got as far as filling in a form for the nurse about where I'm going! These days they're more and more reluctant to give you anything. Mind you, last time I was in Kathmandu (OK, I admit it - 1984!!! You'll probably be horrified to find out I'm doing this EBC trek to celebrate my 50th!) I stuffed my face with all the nice food and got Hep A, so that's the sort of stuff you really need to watch out for. Don't shirk on the antiseptic hand rub and wet wipes, or the water purification!
The Exodus kit bags are pretty big - you won't need anything bigger. But they're damned unwieldy for carrying across London etc. I'll just take a small bag as well to leave a few items at K. By the way, take at least one decent book each - that way we can swap. I've decided not to take my Kindle as charging it might be a pain.
Maureen.
I have to say, the altitude is the thing that really worries me, I'm not unfit, however I think it'll be a massive challenge. I may get some tablets just in case. As for vaccines, I've had boosters on all the usual (tetanus and polio) as I can't remember when I last had them and I'm having Hep A, Typhoid and Chinese Encephalitis - I haven't opted for the Rabies one either.
I'm planning to re-pack everything in Kili for the trek and leave some things at the Hotel, I want to be sure I have a nice change of clean clothes waiting for me lol.
Rich
Well I'm jolly glad we have someone with altitude trekking experience, and frankly I shall be taking your advice on what to steer clear of in the catering department too Maureen! I don't know what Hep A is exactly, but I'm fairly certain I can do without it :) That description of Kilimanjaro, makes my legs ache from here....I really need to get my fitness level up before I go I think! Well happy birthday to you, and what an awesome pressie this will be! We'll all have to raise a glass in Kathmandu I say.
I think I'm going to do the same as Rich and try getting some just in case' tablets, it would be a real shame to find that when you need em, they're not in your pack although I'll avoid taking if I can get away with it.
Do either of you have experience of hiring kit from Exodus? I've got most of the stuff I need, but not really sure I want to swallow the £200+ quid on a 4-season down bag! I know that exodus hire them for £25 which sounded like a good deal to me. One neat trick I heard someone talk about on one of the reviews here is to ask at the tea houses for boiling water before you go to bed, fill your waterbottle and put it inside a sock to use as hot water bottle. When it's cooled the next day you have drinking water...
Matt
No, I've never tried to hire any kit from Exodus, although it sounds a good idea. I was doubtful whether they'd have ladies' sizes of bag, and I kind of fancy owning a really good one, but I agree they are ridiculously expensive. So hire away. Let us know how you get on with it.
And I've never even heard of Chinese encephalitis! Guess I might do if I'm ever allowed to see the practice nurse...
Maureen.
Hi Guys,
Spoke to someone at exodus today and booked my place on the plane. It all feels a little more real now. How's things going with the preparations?
Rich
Finally saw the nurse this week - she reckoned most of my injections were still in date, but gave me Hep B (not strictly necessary for this trip) which will now last me all my life, apparently. Seeing the doctor on Tuesday coming about Diamox - nurse couldn't prescribe that.
Have exhausted all the outdoors shops in Leeds, and none have an appropriate down sleeping bag. Will need to shop online, I think. Been on the website of that trekhireuk company listed in the trip notes, but unclear if they have ladies' size - am trying to ring them. Been back in touch with a friend who did this trek in 2010 to check on temps - she did it in October, but reckoned she slept in mitts and booties inside her 4 season bag, and her waterbottle froze overnight in the room. Sounds pretty damned cold. I've started buying little things like biodegadable soap, antiseptic hand get etc - but how much will you need to last 3 weeks? That sort of stuff weights loads. And am fussing about whether it'll be warm enough to wear a summer dress in Kathmandu and other silly nonsense like that.
Not sure I'll bother booking my airline seat in advance - usually just take whatever's on offer at the airport. It'll be the usual situation with these holidays where we're scanning the passengers to see if we can recognise each other!
How's the training coming along? I should have gone walking today because the weather's good, but I was too knackered and couldn't face getting up early. So will go tomorrow instead - probably one of the (Yorkshire) 3 peaks. It's the gradient we need.
Maureen.
OK, just spoke to someone at Trekhire and have hired a Rab summit ladies' down bag from them - £60 plus £10 delivery plus whatever it costs me to return it. So I guess that's about £200 cheaper than buying one.
Maureen.
Maureen.
Training is going well - although I still don't feel I'm doing enough :-$ I'm going to Wales next weekend and giving Snowdon a go, seems like the easiest place to get to. I'm booked in with the nurse in a couple of weeks to get my final jabs, will see if I can pair it up with a doctors appointment to get the Diamox.
I looked at the biodegradable soaps, and had exactly the same thoughts. I am starting to think that the 12Kg limit will quite hard to stick to.
Rich
Just been online to book my train tickets down to London for this trip. Struck lucky - £14.60 each way. Bargain! Will come down day before and visit a friend in Ascot overnight, so that'll be nice as well. Are you already down south? And wonder about Matt as well - Matt, where are you? BTW, don't be tricked by all this talk of Yorkshire - I'm a Geordie.
Maureen.
Time flies by at a far quicker rate when you're busy, doesn't it. I can see that I'm going to struggle to find the time in the runup to the trip to get all the excersise in that I'd like shoe-horned in. The drastic step of visiting the gym at work will have to be endured, and I don't mind telling you that it's been about 10 years since I've seen the inside of a gym...almost as scary a prospect as seeing work colleagues in lycra. Shudder. Hoping that an hour a day for six and a half weeks and getting out over the Surrey Hills (nearest/only hilly area anywhere near London!) at the weekend will make the difference, I'm planning on doing Snowdon at the begining of March when visiting the folks up in Chester.
You're lucky to have those Yorkshire dales on your doorstep Maureen, must be lovely to be able to get out into country like that when you like! The nearest 'proper' hills to London are the Brecon Beacons I think, and I get out there when I can, although not often enough. Ah yes, biodegradable soap and antiseptic handwash seem to be a must-take huh. I was wondering how much of that we're allowed to take in our luggage...is there a ml limit on hold luggage? I also heard that chocolate bars are a good thing to stock up on, but also puts a good dint in the 12kg limit again!
I have a couple of days off at the start of the week, and must get my jabs organised, you both sound a lot more methodical when it comes to ticking stuff off the list than me! :)
I think I'm deffinately going to do a sleeping bag hire with Trekhire, but might check see if hiring via exodus gets a sneaky discount on the kit. I still haven't recieved my kit bag from exodus yet, also heard that you are supposed to get some Ellis Brigham discount vouchers along with it?
Oh yes, do either of you know whether we get single room at the Kathmandu hotel atall? Something I forgot to ask Exodus.
Hope you're both having a jolly good weekend
Matt
I think you can get a single room in Kathmandu if you ask for it and pay a supplement - otherwise they'll just stick you in to share with a bloke - probably Rich. I think the other 2 guys on our trip booked together, so they'll share. I may end up getting a single room unasked for, as the only woman - unless they put me in with someone from another group. I don't care - but I am bring earplugs!
You won't be able to put any liquids in your hand luggage - well, so much faff with plastic bags and small quantities that it's not worth it. All that will have to go in the main bag (for the international flight at least).
The North Downs aren't bad - if you go up and down something like Leith Hill a few times you'll be OK. Yes, I've done time in London too!
Maureen.
Hi both,
Well, time continues to fly and it feels like it won't be long till the countdown will be days rather than weeks! Still feeling a bit underprepared, but ticked off the 4-season sleeping bag hire today, so one less thing on the list. Also had an interesting chat about Diamox with a lady at Exodus. She mentioned that the guide/leader to the region we're going always carry it, and if we need to use it we can get some from them. Probably a very good idea, as they will have the experience in determining if/when we might need it....and I'm imagining it's a bugger to get hold of here too.
I have the pleasure of jabs on Wednesday. I usually like to start the day with a good cuppa coffee, but my first shot of the day will be Tetanus, Hep A, Typhoid and whatever else they have knocking around I guess.
Maureen, I wanted to quiz you about packing as you've done these long treks before... How many multiple fleeces/pairs of socks/trousers etc might you take? I'm imagning that there will be the odd oportunity to wash stuff, and we'll probably all get a bit more relaxd about the need for fresh socks after a few days?
I'm going to Berlin with some mates this weekend, everyone is groaning about the brutal sounding temperatures, but I'm secretly rather chuffed I get to try out the new down jacket :)
Speak soon then
Matt
I've almost got my hands on my Diamox tablets now - the doctor gave me a prescription, but as a 'cure' not a prophylactic - he's not allowed to prescribe for that. Although he quite clearly knew what I wanted it for. This plunged the pharmacist into confusion, so I talked to him on the phone yesterday and ensured him I knew what I was doing. So they should be popping through my letter box today.
I got no training this weekend, as I was in London - must get out this coming one.
Yes, I had an email exchange with Joanna, and discovered we are now 6 - another bloke has booked up. Still no women! What's wrong with them? Wonder if they're reading this exchange, but just not breaking cover.
As for clothes, I'm not really sure. I'm aiming for 3 pairs of walking trousers. I'll have my down jacket and my normal Paramo waterproof jacket. And I think 2 thick fleeces. Probably a sweatshirt/middle fleece. Then a variety of wicking T shirts and thermal long-sleeved tops and long johns. To be honest, they would ideally be Merino wool because it apparently doesn't stink - but I'll have to see that to believe it. Numbers of socks - I don't know. Maybe 6 if they're Merino wool (Smartwool)? They're going to have to do several days each. So let's face it, we'll just reek to high heavens by the end. I don't know if it's worth trying to take real nightie/pajamas, or whether to just give up and sleep in thermals - I think that's going to win the argument. Hats, scarf, gloves etc.
I'm meeting up tomorrow with a friend who did this trek independently in October 10 to pick her brains again. I remember her saying take a pillow case - I imagine the pillows are a bit scuzzy. I'll let you know if she comes up with any more gems like that.
Enjoy Berlin - I love it!
Maureen.
Hi Guys,
I went to Snowdon this weekend - which was either really ambitious or extremely stupid, not sure which yet, I didn't managed to get to the summit, the weather set in and made us turn back at about 800m, was great to try out all of the gear I have though. It has made me seriously consider crampons for the glacier, something I thought I may have got by without.
I was also wondering how much of everything to take. I guessed we'd only have limited opportunity to wash everything - and the pillow case advice was great - I would never have thought of that one.
I'm seeing my doctor for the last of my jabs next week, am hoping he will prescribe me some diamox, but it's good to know the guide/leader has some.
Hope all is well.
Rich
Now got my Diamox tablets, so that's OK. Saw my friend who did the trek (independently) in 2010. She said the hot showers might sometimes mean a bucket of hot water, which you'd just have to use in your room, or in a shower room. Aparently some of the lodges have indoor toilets, which is better than I expected. She says you see people walking with washing hanging on the back of daysacks to dry! A bit alarmingly, she also said she met lots of people who'd dropped out and been left behind by their groups. Oh dear.
I haven't got any crampons, but someone bought me some Yaktrax for Christmas so I might see if they will fit on my hiking boots. If so I'll bring them.
Maureen.
I bet that was a funny phone conversation with your pharmasist....'so, you're climbing everest and you want a drug designed to treat eye infections!?' he he.
Good to hear we have another group member, more the merrier and all that.
I was speaking to someone who did this trek about 10 years ago after spending some teaching just outside Kathmandu. She said that Gokyo is by all accounts the most beautiful place on earth, quite a claim huh. She also said that headaches plagued their group quite a bit but she didn't need to take any diamox in the end. Apparently the yak-dung burning stoves in the teahouses really stink (I suppose that follows tough!).
Thanks for the packing list Maureen, that's really useful. I just made the questionable decision of buying a new pair of boots as wasn't sure whether my older boots are tough enough for the job...might bring em to Kathmandu as a backup pair. Better get a move on breaking them in before the trek. Rich, how was Snowden then? I'm planning on doing it first week of March, but I guess that's weather dependent as it sounds like a stinker when you were there. I spose the unique thing about Snowden is that there's a double incentive to get to the summit for a nice cuppa in their cafe :) I'm likely to get hold of some Yak Trax too I think, not sure I'd go for crampons as my boots aren't reccomended for crampon use. I really hope that we get good weather as apparently if there is loads of snow they close the Cho La pass, and it would be one of the trip highlights to be up there I bet.
Matt
substantial, and cavernous...but I'm glad I'm only carrying it as far as the airport cos the last thing it looks is comfortable. Still, quite exciting that the Exodus kit bag has finally landed on my doorstep. No going back now huh...
Do either of you know if we're alloed more than one peice of hold luggage? I'm not sure my daysac will squueze into the paltry hand luggage max size
Hope you're both well...four weeks encounting etc
Hi, yes, mine's arrived too. It's improved - no shoulder strap last time, so it was awful to carry. I'm certainly aiming to use my day sack as cabin luggage, hope it's OK. Some people seem to take amazing things as cabin luggage and get away with it. Good luck with the new boots - I've done that twice before, buying new boots a few weeks before a trip. This time my normal ones will do, but they're Goretex and not especially tough.
Yes, getting a bit nervous now at 4 weeks away. I'm not fit enough, really. Went up Pen-y-ghent twice on Sunday in snow and ice, but it's just not really enough.
Maureen.
Hi Guys,
I got my bag throgh too, it's much bigger than I thought, I can't believe how soon it's coming round. Finally got all of my injections and the doc gave me some diamox so I'm prepared there.
Was just wondering if you guys were getting your visa's before we leave or when we arrive?
Rich
Hi. I'm just going to get my visa at the airport when I arrive - but if you're in London you could get it before I suppose. But that reminds me I need some dollars - $40 I think. There's so much stuff to organise. One thing I don't like the sound of is having to carry a lot of money in cash, but I guess it's inevitable. I don't know whether to bring lots of Sterling from the UK and change it in Kathmandu, or whether to just withdraw loads from cashpoints in Kathmandu when I get there. What are you doing about money? I can't be bothered with traveller's cheques these days.
Did you get your final joining instructions yesterday? At least we've got our leader's name now - Prem - and it confirms he's Nepali not British. It's certainly getting close now and I'm getting a bit anxious about all the stuff I haven't done yet - like buying loads of medical stuff.
Maureen.
I hadn't thought much about the money side of things, I think I was just going to withdraw it in Kathmandu, saves having to carry it around London. I did recieve the joining instructions, and yes I'm very glad we have a local leader.
Every time I think I've got all I need something else comes up, I know I'll forget something.
Rich
Crikey, only three weeks then! You guys both sound like you're well prepared, and I'm going to be hitting Ellis Brigham hard this weekend for the (still far too long) list of stuff I still need to grab. I've a feeling that most folks who do this trip feel a little under-prepared in one way or another though, just becuase of that unknown element...
Yeah, currency is still on my list and I haven't really given it a lot of thought to be honest. I might well do the same as Rich an just take whatever cash I need out from ATMs in Kathmkandu...although it's hard to know whether that's more of a risk than getting cash here. I'm a bit bamboozled as to how much I might need to take to last me out also. It's something I might ask exodus about. The last time I called I was talking to someone who had done the Anapurna circuit, so I might ask her.
Are you guys taking hydration bladders for your packs, or buying bottled water btw? Oh and Rich, are you going to take crampons do you think?
I was fishing around for websites giving weather forecasts for Nepal and the high Himalaya. It seems like such an incredible temp difference (26° in Kathmandu, Kala Pattar -9°) I think that will be quite interesting.
Matt
PS. I spoke to Emma Burton at exodus the other day and she mentioned that we'd be block booked on the plane, so we're likely to be sitting together on the way there I think.
I've never used a bladder/platypus thing, although I know some people love them. A friend is lending me some high tech blue flashing light thing that purifies water, but I might bring some iodine tablets just in case. Intending to carry 2 waterbottles, with purified water. Exodus don't want us to buy bottled water because the bottles create waste.
It'll be good if we are sitting together. Wonder what the others are like?
Maureen.
I've got one of the light things that sterilises water, but I'm taking tablets too, just to be on the safe side. I've got platypus but intend on taking at lest one water bottle with me as a spare, the last thing I'd want is to puncture it and be left with nothing.
I think I recall it saying in the trip notes you will need approx. £20-£25 for each day to cover food/drinks etc, which would be approx £400-£500. I think I'll take some with me and withdraw some more in Kathmando depending on what the leader suggests.
I was seriously considering crampons, however I'm getting concerned about the wieght restrictions, I liked Marueen's suggestion of yaktrax, will have to look into it and make a decision pretty soon I guess.
Rich
I re-read the latest version of the trip notes, and noticed some substantive changes. Did you notice? We did have a full day in K at the beginning, but we've lost that and gained an extra acclimatisation day near Namche Bazaar. Not a bad thing. Then we've lost an acclimatisation day at Machermo, and gained an extra day approaching Luckla at the end - I imagine that's slush time to compensate for delayed flights. I know they can't take off if it's cloudy there and people can get stuck for days.
Went to the Lakes yesterday and climbed Coniston Old Man - horrendous on the top and my friend got almost hypothermic so we had to come straight down. It'll be bliss when I don't have to do this every weekend!
Maureen.
That's interesting that they've changed our schedule a bit.... I remember hearing about thousansds of trekkers stuck in Lukla back in November becuase of bad weather, so I guess it must be to avoid bottlenecks. Also, aclimatisation has to be the biggest worry of most and if it helps us it's no bad thing I say. It will be great to experience a little of that Kathmandu chaos though, a good place to spend the final day.
Crikey, it sounds as though your experience in the Lake district was a bit hairy! Glad you made it out! I wish I'd had the time/made the time to do the proper training for this, I do still feel a little unprepared. Off to the gym again tonight...and for the next two weeks huh. A friend of mine who has done this trek said that she had no training atall for this route to base camp, and said that she found the first few days hard (which she did in flip flops to begin with!. She also said said that as she acclimatised she felt pretty much fine appart from one day at Kalla Pattar. I'm telling myself this to make me feel better though...can you tell? :)
You guys both talking about UV water purification, I noticed this amazing product from camelback, not yet available in the EU unfortunately. http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recreation/Bottles/2012-All-Clear.aspx
Hope you're both well anyhow...two weeks tomorrow and all that
Only a week to go now, which fills me with the usual with side-order of fear! :) Pretty much there with all my kit now, and just weighing up whether to splash on one of theose UV water purifiers or not. Speaking to someone who did the Annapurnas yesterday, and we was saying that most folks buy bottled water to be safe. Might just use judgement and see how the places we visit are fixed for dealing with the plastic bottles....
Have either of you had the immunisation/tablets for Malaria? The nurse at my GP's didn't go and reccomend it, but I know it's present in Nepal, and the chap I was talking to yesterday said that he got bitten by mosquitos quite a lots. He also told me about having made his way back to Kathmandu after trekking, feeling exhausted and sitting down to eat a box of chicken peices...a local stray dog went for the chicken wing and also nipped his hand. Que a series of Rabies injections in Kathmandu and at the school of tropical medicine in London on his return! No petting of any wildlife then, especially the kind with foaming mouths and a thousand yard stare!
Right oh then, look forward to seeing you both next week
Yes, only a week, and I agree - excited and nervous. Didn't walk last weekend because I was away, but will cram one in this weekend as a last ditch effort. Now got a cold, which is brilliant timing. So when I cough, you'll know it's not necessarily altitude sickness!
Had a dry run with my Diamox last Fri - half tablet in the morning and half at night. The very peculiar and not very pleasant tingling I remember from Kili, which lasted right till Sat night. It'd be good if I didn't have to use it....
Yes, dodgy dogs (and monkeys). The answer might be not to brandish tasty morsels in front of them, I suppose. No, definitely no malaria tabs - unless you're going down to Chitwan afterwards, you'd need them there. BTW, saw that most dangerous roads programme about Nepal last night - very good. Fortunately we're not driving this trip. Got my Steripen from my friend, now need to investigate rechargeable batteries and adaptors - the downside. Are you taking adaptors? I bet we end up taking one of everything each!
Maureen.
Hi Guys,
I'm hoping I have everything, I'm doing the usual of running throuh everything and finding something else I want/need every time. I haven't had the malaria tabs, Nomad said that they might be needed, however the nurse at my docs said not to worry - ironically she is going to be in Kathmandu at the same time as us. I was going to look into adaptors this weekend. It does sound like we're all taking alot of the same things each. Are you guys taking cameras? I only ask because a friend who did this trip a couple of years ago warned me off of taking a digital one, he said due to the temperature it completely froze and the disposable cameras he took as back ups worked fine.
I don't think I've done anywhere near enough training, here's hoping, am also going to do as much as I can this weekend - who knows, it may help.
Rich
Yes, I'm taking my small digital camera, and I've bought an extra memory card. And I'll have to take the battery charger for that. I know they perform badly in the cold - but I think film ones do as well, it's the batteries that freeze. So I intend to wear it next to my body if things get that bad. I was wondering about buying a disposable camera as well, so maybe I will do that. The friend who's lent me the Steripen has lent me a variety of rechargers to fit different socket types, but the Lonely Planet says some places have 2 round pins and some have 3 round pins. So I've not idea what'll work. The only things I'll need to recharge are my camera battery and the rechargeable batteries for the Steripen - I'm leaving my kindle at home, and I'll take my mobile phone but don't intend to use it. I guess if some of us have slightly the wrong kit, we can share and help each other out a bit. Wonder what the other 3 guys are like? Are they reading this and just not saying anything???
I'm taking tomorrow off work, and Trekhire.uk are delivering my sleeping bag. Hope it's OK!
Maureen.
Morning all, just found this on the web site! How unprepared am I!! Loving all the chatter and realising I'm not the only one worrying about fitness / sickness / packing etc. Think I've got most things. Anything I don't have I'm sure I'll get there. Anyone know how many are on the trek now? Think it was 6 when I booked in Feb. I booked late as went skiing in January and didn't want to risk booking before in case I got injured. I've got my last day in work today then off. Can't wait.
Guess we will all see each other at the airport. Just to make you all feel better, I've got no Diamox, crampons and probably not enough fleecy layers!! Done Snowdon a few times this year as I only live an hour away in Chester but have not done much training!! Oh and my kit bag hasn't arrived yet!! They have sent out a replacement, it better arrive!!
If we all went to get together at the airport then we should swap some numbers maybe? A pre-flight beer is always in order!
I've been wondering who the other people were, so glad to hear from you. It was certainly 6 last time I asked, but that was weeks ago. My mobile is 07805 255727 if any of you want to give me a bell at the airport - I'll probably be there quite early. I'm heading south on Tuesday to stay with a friend in Ascot, and she'll dump me at Heathrow on Weds before she goes off to a parents' night at school.
I sort of packed this morning - I didn't think I was taking many clothes, but they fill a huge bag. And all the ridiculous amount of snack food I bought weighs a ton! I'm now doing a mammoth battery-recharging session for this damned Steripen - didn't realise it took so long to charge them, I thought the recharger was broken. If it takes 7 hours to recharge 4 batteries there's no way any tea house owner is going to let me do that!
The sleeping bag I hired from Trekhire came yesterday - it's enormous, and shed goose down all over the house.
I'm sure you're OK is you've done Snowdon a few times. I'm off up Ingleborough tomorrow as a last attempt at fitness. I'm really not remotely fit, I never am. Have you done altitude before, Paul? I just plod along very slowly, no matter what the terrain.
Well, it's nearly upon us now. I just wish we were on the way already. Got to go to work on Monday, and I'll definitely not be there in spirit.
See you all on Wednesday/Thursday,
Maureen.
Glad to meet ya Paul, really looking forward to Wednesday and I'm sure it will come around in no time now...although hopefully enough time for me to buy some baselayers, chlorine dioxide tablets, get fit etc!
Actually, I'm feeling a lot more relaxed about thing this week, the chap i mentioned who did the Anapurnas said that he and his freinds showed up in Kathmandu totally unprepared, and with only a pair of walking boots. He got fully kitted out for about £70 he reckoned! I'm not sure I'd have the guts to do that myself, but the bits and bobs that I don't have, I might try and grab in Kathmandu now. I was just reading this little thing on the Icebreaker website...now that's travelling light
http://blog.icebreaker.com/2011/07/icebreaker-athlete-justin-lichter-completes-himalaya-traverse/
I have a feeling that fitness wise, you'll only really get to a certain level that helps, and you can always just take things slow if it feels tough. It's the altitude that is the curveball really, just hope my ol bones don't freak out too much!
I think a pre-flight beer sounds like a great idea, I seem to remember us being block-booked on the flight, so I don't know whether that means we'll be sitting together, hopefully so. I think the flight leaves at 8.50pm and we're supposed to be there about 3 hours before. That seems a little excessive, but I guess it means that anything last-minute can be greabbed from heathrow's shops etc.
Matt
Not sure Paul is 7, I think he's just no. 6, isn't he? Well, went up Ingleborough today, so I'm as fit as I'm going to get - not very! Chatted to a guy on the top who'd been to South Col on Everest when he was in the army. He said I'd find it hard! Not exactly encouraging. Probably thought I was a silly girly. Just been deleting photos off my camera and recharging it - I get very stressed about technology! And got my paperwork/photos together for the trip. I can feel my stress levels rising, will be hysterical tomorrow night. I'll be OK once I'm out of here and on the train south, but I always get stessed before trips.
BTW, if you want to see what I look like you can google me - Maureen Pinder. You should at least find my work photo - might help us meet up.
Maureen.
Hiya,
Excited and nervous now. Packing today before driving South tomorrow. Can't wait. My mobile is 07854851479 if you guys want to call at the airport. I'm sure I'll be through check in and security by 7! Thinking I've forgotten loads, hopefully not! Hope you all have a good couple of days. Might not be able to get on here after today.
Did last minute prep yesterday by getting drunk and having a curry!
Maureen - I'm sure you'll be fine. We're not running up their and we will have plenty of time each day to make it to our next stop. Slower the better probably!
See you all Wednesday!
Paul.
