Everest and Gokyo Lakes - departing 2nd November 2011

hi emily i did this trip in feb march or this year , i would say get plenty of hill practice in if you can! its a long long jaunt! it was a wonderful trip,take lots of photos and notes! it was very cold when i did it and lots of snow the cho la pass we were the 1st group through of the year so our porters were using ice pix! if you get passang as a guide you cant go wrong he was brill, i took my walking poles with me they were a godsend, food was good on route, enjoy it all and the flight to lukla well,,,,,,,,x

Hello Emily

Hi Emily 

 I am going on this trip, I am excited as the scenery will be awesome but I'm also feeling a bit apprehensive at the moment.

I am feeling a bit nervous about it as I have not started any training as yet and am also a bit concerned about the cold at night!

I am going to Mount Kailash next week, so I'm hoping that will give me a good experience of high altitude trekking, however Gokyo lakes will be alot tougher.

 How are you preparing for Gokyo?

Kind regards

Kamal

Dids - thank you for the advice! It's so hard to get hill practice in. I live in Hampshire, England and there aren't a lot of big hills around! Will take some poles :)

Kamal - get training! I climbed Kilimanjaro last year and the only thing that helps is walking, walking and more walking! It doesn't hurt to be fit e.g. running, cycling, swimming but try and get a few long walks in before you go e.g. 5-6 hours. I was doing some running over the summer but currently walking twice a week. Kili was cold but a 4 season sleeping bag (with a hood) will serve you well. I have a synthetic bag (half the price of a down bag) and found this to be sufficient. Make sure you have some thermals with you. I am taking 2 sets of tops and bottoms. You can wear these at night along with socks, gloves and a hat!

I can't wait to go now!

Hi.  I did EBC and Gokyo in April/May and it was tough, but so worth the effort.  It was tough because I hadn't put in any hill training.  Like you Emily, I live in the South and we're not renowned for our mountains in this part of the country.  If you have a good fitness base, you'll be fine.

Take at least a couple of water bottles, including a Sigg that you can get filled with boiled water.  That way, you get a hot water bottle for nighttime and it cools to drinking temperature by morning.  I suggest water purification tablets as water - even boiled - becomes ridiculously expensive the higher you go.  Also, if you can, pack some chocolate and any snacks you like (bearing in mind the porters have to carry it all) as while you can get it at the lodges, it becomes increasingly expensive.

 

Try to avoid charging phone or camera batteries as they don't charge very well.  Best to carry a spare with you (for your camera).  You will take lots of photos!  

 

I also took walking poles and they were invaluable when we did the Cho La Pass and on the descent at the end of the trek.  The Cho La was the bit I dreaded the most, but that turned out to be the day I loved the most.   

 You don't need to take diamox or anti-tummy bug medication as your guide will have a supply.  If you've suffered from altitude sickness before, then you're advised to take diamox from the start - this was the advice we were given at the Machermo medical post.  If in doubt, take it.  Your guide will advise you.

Finally, we also had Passang leading our group and he is Mr Fixit Extraordinaire!  You will be in very good hands if he's leading your group.

Ooh and last one...if you can, take some spare clothing and consider leaving water bottles and anything you don't need for the porters at the end of your trek.  They were amazing, work very, very hard and will be very grateful for whatever you can pass on to them. 

I hope this helps.  You're in for a fantastic experience.

You will be advised to wear a hat pretty much all the time, as it helps with altitude sickness (don't ask me how!).  So, it helps to have a spare hat unless you want yours surgically detached at the end of your trek.  To reiterate Emily's point, running, cycling and any form of intensive cardio help if you can't hit the hills.  Oh, and you MUST have sunglasses to protect against the uv glare.

Thank you for the advise everyone, very much appreciated!

Not long to go now! Anyone else booked on? They said there were 9 of us and one other holding a space. I'm travelling with my Dad.

We got our final trip info through today! So excited. We also have confirmation that we have Pasang! Good stuff!

Rob

Hi all,

I've just returned from Nepal and have some Nepali currency that I missed changing at the airport. R2500 (plus a few smaller notes) - would be useful on arrival for tips, beer etc. At current rate about £20, but call it £15 to get rid of it. I'm in Loughborough if anyone is close, although I can post.