Everest Base Camp via Goyko 13 Oct - 1 Nov
I am joining you on this trip. I did the Annapurna Circuit two years ago and have also been at altitude in South America. Not sure previous experience at altitude is any great advantage. Getting as fit as possible before you go, taking it steadily on the trek and drinking plenty of fluids seems to be the answer. As I am retired my general fitness levels are good, plenty of walking and as much golf as my wife lets me get away with. I will increase the walking over the coming months using the Dorset cliffs to improve my stamina.
Like you I am looking forward to the challenge, Nepal is an amazing place.
Hi Adam,
12 October is approaching fast, my Exodus kit bag arrived today so it seems more real now, I can't wait.How is your fitness training going, it can't be easy to find time when you are working, something I don't have a problem with! Did a quick 13 miles this afternoon after playing golf in the morning so things seem to be going well. Are you applying for your visa before you go? I did last time I went but I don't think it made much difference as it didn't take long to issue them when we arrived in Kathmundu. Are you flying out on the group flight from Heathrow on the 12th?
Regards, Richard
Hi Richard
I agree its approaching fast. My trekking pal Adrian visited the RAB factory outlet earlier today so is all kitted out (bag, jacket, shells etc) I went a few weeks ago to purchase mine. We have received our kit bags also. Adrian and I have been doing quick blasts up Snowdon, Crib Goch, Tryfan, Glyder etc. I have also been doing some mountain biking in the Lake District. Twisted my ankle earlier today though so need to ease off for a bit - gets me out of going the gym for a week.
Regarding kit its interesting balancing what to take in relation to weight. We've seen some good advice on Trekinfo.com forum.
Medical kit sorted and stocked up with Cypro and Diamox just in case. Having rabies and Cholera vaccine tomorrow :-(
We are planning to get Visas in Kathmandu and yes we are on the group flight out from Heathrow.
Have you heard from anyone else on the trip? I understand from Exodus that there are 10 places booked.
Regards, Adam
Hi guys, my name's Jenny and I'm booked on the trip too...good to meet you!
I'm coming by myself so don't know anything about the other people booked on. Reading your posts with interest. I booked a bit late in the day (as the other company I was meant to be going with cancelled last minute due to lack of numbers) so am on different flights to the main group ones so will see you in Kathmandu.
Got most of the kit now but still need to organise a good sleeping bag.
Sounds like you guys are doing a lot of training. I am mainly a runner but have been doing walking training as well as running over the last few months, feel I've got an ok level of fitness so just need to keep it ticking over until the trip. Did three peaks challenge a couple of weekends ago and, walking wise, was fine on that (it was the travel sickness that did me in!...am told travel sickness and altitude sickness are unrelated, hope so!). Also have diamox just in case but a friend of a friend who is a doctor said she took it to the Indian Himalaya a couple of yrs ago and they stopped taking it because of the diuretic effect...I think its good to have it just in case. First time at altitude for me too so we'll see!
I was going to get Visa out there. Made executive decision not to have rabies vaccine in the end, hope I don't regret that, am planning to avoid animals! What are you guys doing about taking money? Travellers cheques, cash, cards?? Changing currency here or over there? Also, is anyone taking a mobile phone out there? Or any advice on telecommunications?! Have you also got crampons?
Jenny
p.s. where is the RAB outlet? sounds like a good find!
p.p.s re-reading Bear Grylls 'Facing Up' and looking forward to seeing some of the places he describes (not the summit however!)
Hi Jenny, good to hear from you.
Not sure I'm at your level of fitness - haven't been brave enough to attempt the three peaks in one go! I've heard similar reports on diamox - a consultant friend of mine took it on a Kilimanjaro trek. In his words - it made him pee like a horse!
I think I've read somewhere that travellers are restricted on taking cash into the country - need to research further!
Regarding phones, I’ve read on some forums that groups have clubbing together to hire a Satellite handset. But its not cheap - £90 for 3 weeks, plus high call costs.
For details on RAB factory outlet see my Exodus blog. I posted it about a month ago. Let me know if you can't find it. They have some great sleeping bags - I went for Anders 800 - much cheaper than other retailers.
I'm following the advice on the trip notes and leaving the crampons at home - though will take some Yaktrax.
What are you doing about water treatment - Chlorine Dioxide appears to be the way to go?
Just reading Mountain Without Mercy - about the 1996 IMAX expedition - good read and great photographs. Also read the Obligatory Into Thin Air - This is what sparked my interest in the trek. Not sure when Bear Grills’ - Mud, Sweat and Tears come out in paperback but would be a good read on the Trek.
Take some sharpened trek poles to keep the rabid dogs away!!!
Hi
June and I are also on this trip and will be on the group flight from Heathrow on the 12th. We are working on general levels of fitness at the gym and walking in the Shropshire Hills where we live. We have walked in Peru and also Kilimanjaro so have some experience of altitude good and bad. Advice on Diamox appears to be to try it first to see if it suits you but antibiotics an essential. Have got most of the kit we need including the spikeys for the glacier section which according to friends who have done it is pretty exciting!! Warm sleeping bag vital but who knows what weather we will get. We understand that hard currencies such as US dollars or Sterling are best and that ATM are pretty hard to find. That menas carrying rathere a lot of cash we fear.
Really excited about the trip and look forward to hearing more.
Martyn and June
Hi All,
Good to hear from you all. My experience is you don't have to be super fit although the fitter you are the more you will enjoy it. A lot of the walking days are relatively short and the secret is to take it easy which I am sure the leader will insist on anyway. It certainly worked for me on the Annapurna Circuit.
The advice on Diamox is still very mixed, I haven't taken it in the past so probably won't take any this time, hopefully I won't regret it. There is no doubt that sickness and diarroea is as much if not more of a problem than altitude sickness.
like adam I will take my Yaktrak, they are very light so even if I don't need them it is better to have them, I understand that phone reception in the Everest region is reasonably good.
Finding a working ATM even in Kathmundu was impossible two years ago. I will take sterling and change it before I leave Kathmundu and accept it means carrying a lot of cash on the trek. I am pretty sure you can't take local currency into Nepal.
Looking forward to meeting you all, I am sure the trek it will be an amazing experience.
Regards, Richard
Hi All,
Final preparations now - becoming very well known at the local Cotswold shop. Planning to post my kit list at some point and would welcome comments from you more experienced trekkers.
Just set up my Virgin Giving site - planning to raise some money for our local Hospice.
Might head up Scafell this weekend - weather looks ok
Hi, I'm Lesley and I am also joining the trek - travelling on the group flight from London.
Was interested to hear the comments on Diamox (probably won't take any) and money (looks like quite a lot of cash needs to be carried on the trek). So far my only experience of high altitude has been ok but that doesn't necessarily mean anything, and hoping it's not too difficult to keep well hydrated.
Mid life crisis job change means I spend quite a lot of time in the Scotish hills so hopefully that will stand me in good stead. Off to Skye this weekend for some fun.
Looking forward to meeting you all.
Hi Martyn
That would be an interesting trip, EBC followed by Tokyo! Good to see I'm not alone with such typos ;-)
Spoke to Exodus earlier about baggage limits. It appears that the 12kg limit for the Lukla flight is for the checked in bag only and that we are allowed to take a small item of hand luggage which is not weighed - phew! Not that I'm much over - last complete weigh in was 14kg.
Exodus also advised that there are now 12 in our group ranging from age 25 to 65 - so a good mix.
Looking forward to seeing you all - will look out for the Exodus luggage labels at LHRCheck in!
Hello All!
Everything is still strewn across my living room floor...must actually get it into kitbag to check it all fits! And weigh it...where is the time going?! My flight (I couldn't get on the group flight) leaves at 8.45pm tomorrow from Heathrow so not sure if I'll see anyone UK-side. If not, see you in Nepal (I arrive an hour before you guys).
A girl who I know from work, Abi, is coming too now...she is out in Nepal already as she has been travelling round Asia for a few months and this completes her travels. She said Nepal is fab and v hot. She also advised to be a bit wary of people hassling you when you get outside the airport as it is a bit intense....sure we can deal with it!
See you all very soon, excited (and a bit nervous! But I'll be fine once I get there!)
Jenny
We leave at 20:45 also so looks like your on the same plane as the group Exodus booking? Flight number 9W121 - Jet Airways to Delhi?
Just looked at the weather forecast at EBC (weather network) - highs of minus 25deg C and lows of minus 42 deg C - Is this right!!! Shit might need to pack another 20 base layers or find a yak to hug!
