TNT - Everest Base Camp - 5th Oct 2012

Aye up.

hope your keeping well and fully recoverd. sonia can't belive he's talked you in to another climb. not that for one second do i not belive you can do'it . RESPECT.

KEEP WELL REGARDS THE SWAD LADS.XX

Aye up Swadites!

Great to hear from you! I remember joking about this on the way down Kili, when Sonia swore she wouldn't be doing any more mountains - but I eventually talked her into it! It was the cultural aspect that sold EBC to us in the end, can't wait to get up there and check out the Nepalese way of life, temples, yaks and prayer flags etc!!

Are you sure you don't fancy joining us in October? It's a lot more gentle on the old altitude acclimatisation and you can tell Nigel there's no tents involved on this trip! Go on....you know you want to!

Anyway - good to hear from you, hope you're all keeping well.

Stuart & Sonia 

Am thinking about doing EBC in October. Toss up between this and Kili if i can persuade my legs that they really want to do this with me!

Hi Seon - we did Kili last year (Rongai Route), and it was increadible. The day-to-day walking was fine - but the sumit night is a killer. We were lucky that we had 12 out of 12 people make it all the way to the top - but the altitude certainly took it's toll on the group! We found it hard going, but were very proud to have done it.

We were umming and arring about doing another big treking holiday - but what sold it to us was the cultural aspects of EBC. Kili was beautiful, but is very much a wilderness trek. The fact that EBC goes through so many little villages and mountain communities with stupas and pray flags and yaks etc. is really what swung it for us. Hopefully the wonderfull local lifestyle and fabulous mountain scenery will be enough to take away form the pain in you legs! ;)

Hi!

My husband Ben, and I have booked this trip too!  We are so looking forward to it. We are just back last nite from a fab weeks skiing so now will concentrate on getting planned/fit for the TNT trip.

We've not treked before so it will all be new to us! :))

Cant wait!!!

Wendy T 

Hi myself Ian and a friend of mine Paul booked on to this trip back in September, so this is a long time coming, but looking forward to it with great excitement, it was just done a whim on my behalf a phone call from Paul a chat with my wife and hey presto booked. Looking forward to meet you all. Ian

Fab. So have u done this kinda thing before? WbT

Hi Wendy & Ben and Ian & Paul!

Really looking forward to meeting you all! Very excited....(except the Lukla flight looks a bit scary!)

 Sonia

Sounds like a few people on the trip already! I would be travelling on my own as none of my friends are nuts enough to do a trip like this!!! Kili is now off the list and now trying to decide between this and Anapurna Sanctuary. Friends have said scenery is better on Anapurna trip but Everest sounds pretty appealing!!

 Are you all training hard already? Must decide soon so that i can get fit in time!!!

Wendy never done anything like this i live in Lincolnshire so only the flats around here, so as many trips to the lakes as I can fit in within the year, so a new experience on every level for myself. Sonia lukla is looking like a bit scary however the amount of flights in and out daily with very few accidents is a little comforting, but I do seem to have a you tube fix every week just to remind myself what is store. As you have done a similar trek any advice would be great fully received. Ian

Hi, (Stuart here -  we’re sharing a login so you never know which of us you’re gonna get!). We watched all the stuff on www.celticvideo.com the other day which were really good videos and give you a good feel of the trek. We’re probably not the best people for advise though – we were the slowest walkers all the way through our last trek, last into camp every day! But the only advise I do have is don’t worry too much about your fitness, it’ll be the altitude which makes it hard more than a lack of fitness – that said, every bit of training you do will make it easier....just don't go over the top and don’t worry too much about it - I’m expecting to find it difficult, and I wouldn't want to disappoint myself! Also, take some diamox with you it’s pretty cheap (but you’ll have to convince your Dr you’ve done your research before they’ll give you a prescription) – just leave the decision regarding actually taking it until you get there. You’d rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. I’ve had a slow day in work today - so I’ve killed some time by reading all the reviews on the Exodus site, I can't wait to get be there now I’m sure it’s going to be spectacular. 

Stuart thanks for your reply I'm not so worried about the fitness as the lengths of the walks on the itinery don't seem to bad, and reading previous blogs more than manageable, also being surrounded by some of the worlds tallest mountains that should take any pain away. I was at the doctors on monday for the start of the hep-b course, the diamox shouldn't be a problem how ever I am wondering about rabies I was told by my nurse 16 people were bitten by the same dog last month so there is a little concern and another expense as well as Japanese encephalitis or am I going over board? Personal choice I suppose. Did you wish that you had any specific gear after you had done your kili trip that you are going to include for Everest? All the best Ian

Hi, just caught up on ur posts. Not done any training yet, bit worried, but will be 'gym fit' and sounds like that mite b ok. We will try get a few hill walks in tho before. Ben is a fairly fit (late!) 40's something guy, rugby, squash, skiing.... 

Tell me bout this diamox, and not thought bout jabs yet, is it time??

Did read on one, or more, reveiws that it was worth waiting to buy all the walking gear out in Kathmando, but I dont know if i wud b that brave?

Tried on a Killi down jacket the other day, and wow that was gorgeous, do we need something like that?

I keep reading the reveiws too Ian, and I am just SOOOOOOO excited.. Its gonna b amazing. Mind, I did lay in bed this morning and wander what it wud b like having to crawl out of a sleeping bag at -10c!! Haha

Morning after doing a bit more research and reading people's reviews I decided to replace a mountain hardwear goose jacket and I purchased a alpkit recomended through trail walking magazine, I must say for the spec and money paid I think it is a bargin so much so I got one of there sleeping bags as well again compared to what is on the market for the price very pleased and it should be plenty warm enough. I started a course of hep b jabs on Monday I think I am going to do a rabies course as well even though it is expensive, I am unsure if it's worth doing the Japanese encephalitis because of the altitude there shouldn't be to many Mosquitos about, that was just more of a peace of mind for Kathmandu. Hope some of this may be of use to you.

I keep reading the reveiws too Ian, and I am just SOOOOOOO excited.. Its gonna b amazing. Mind, I did lay in bed this morning and wander what it wud b like having to crawl out of a sleeping bag at -10c!! Haha

*meant Stuart! soz  

I don't know about Japaneese Encephalitis, sounds nasty! But there deffinately won't be mossi's at altitude....not sure about Khatmandu though. I'll ask my Dr about rabbies....but it is really expensive, so I might just use my walking poles to keep the dogs away!

I'll tell you what I know about Diamox from researching it last time (but I'm not a Dr so please don't take this as gosple!) - Diamox is a pill which acidifies the blood and is used to treat people whose blood is not acid enough (amongst other things). One side effect is that it speeds up aclimatization to altitude, but since that is not what it's intended purpose is, some Dr's are a bit funny about prescribing it. There are load of arguments for and against it - some people say it's bad coz it just masks the symptoms of AMS, bu this isn't true, as it just speeds up the natural process of adjusting to altitude - so if you take it and feel better, it's becasue you are better. The biggest reason not to take it is that it makes you wee loads, and since you're already drinking 5 litres a day, this is not a welcome prospect - plus you will have to drink even more to retain the fluid! It's taken as a prophylactic (sp?) and takes 24hrs to have any effect. Another argument against is that if you are suffering AMS, the first things the guides will do is give you Diamox, but if you've already taken it then you've already exhausted their first course of action (I've never really got my head around that argument myslef). Anyway - the guides will deffinatately have some with them in case of emergency....I suggest you read up some more yourself before you decide anything, but as I said before, it may be wise to take some anyway and leave the decision till you get there and see how you feel. 

We're hiring sleeping bags & down jackets through Exodus, as it's pretty cheap and then you don't have to pack them! Aparently you can buy stuff really cheap in Khatmandu, but we're not brave enough to leave it till then....also I think I'd rather spend the time enjoying the city rather than put myself under pressure to have to buy some vital piece of kit.

 Ian - you asked if we are taking anything specific that we wished we had on Kili, but the answer is 'not really'. I'd guess the important things are desanitizer, head-torch, wet wipes, loo roll (packets of tissues, not an actual roll), water purifiers, lipsalve and footpowder - we used loads of footpowder and I'm convinced this is one of the reasons we had no foot issues! Other than that....it's just clothes!

OK - I'll stop waffleing on now...

Stuart 

Thanks Stuart sounds like I'm nearly sorted then apart from tissues then.

I was just looking at the NHS's Fit For Travel website - which is where the nurse at my doctors gets all her information regarding what vaccinations are requried:

http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-(east)/nepal.aspx 

This says that both Rabies and Japanees Encepha-whasitcalled are only present in the low lying regions, and the cases of rabid dog bites were near the Indian boarder. Thought people might want to have a read of this - as you might not need those expensive jabs. No need for malaria tablets either thankfully.

Any more news on whos joining this trip???

Hi all, ive just booked the last place on the trip. i have never done anything like this before and have no idea what to expect only what i have read and seen on Youtube. It would be great to hear from all of you, with any advice you may have 

gary

Hi Gary.....

 Nor have we!!!

And u say the last place? I wander how many of us there are now then, did Exodus tell u that? 

How is everyone else going with plans and training(!) ?

Wend 

hi wendy When i phoned to book they said they were holding a place for someone. On the dates and prices page our departure date now comes up as unavailable. the most they take is 16

Living in essex i dont have many big hills to train on either im going to the brecon beacons in august for a week just to see what my fitness level is like.

have you got any of your kit yet?  ive got my boots and jacket are you buying your sleeping bags or hiring them? i havent decided on that one yet

hope to here from you and anyone else soon

gary

Gary, we have our boots too yes but thats about it.... We've walked upto about 10 miles at a time but pretty flat altho faster than we will do there.

Not decided on sleeping bags yet either, tempted to buy them but then why not hire.... difficult one.

Brecon Beacons sounds like a plan!

Ive met a lady at the gym whos just done it, so been good to get a few ideas from her. She LOVD it tho, Im soooo excited. You done anything like this before?

W x 

I to have done nothing like this before so I'm very much looking forward to it, and also i live in a area with no hills as I don't belive there many areas in the country flater than lincolnshire. I do have boots and also I am taking my own sleeping bag. As for training not yet the weather has just come right to get the caravan out for a few weekend trips, with a short holiday abroad with the wife and daughter, it was a softener to be able to do this trip, so some time around August I may start doing some weekends away in the peak district or even up to the lakes, I do belive the hardest part about this trek will be walking at a slow pace. Enjoy your weekend just about to hold some traffic up whilst towing my van shortly followed by a nice cold beer.

Hi everyone and hello Gary!

Hope you're all well..

Only 4 and a bit months to go! Very excited :)We've got most of our kit and I think we'll most likely be hiring our sleeping bags.

 Sonia 

 

Ive never done anything like this before the most ive ever walked on holiday before was at disney in florida

Ive been reading a book called Everest a trekkers guide it has alot of useful information in it.

Are you all leaving from heathrow

Gary

Yeah were going from LHR. Our travel company booked the flights, not thru Exodus. Were flying Etihad to Abu Dhabi then Khatmandu. How bout u guys?

We're leaving from heathrow with exodus, stopping at Dehli. We you-tubed the Lukla airport taking offs. Not looking forward to that so much! Eek!

Think Id rather not look!!!! :(

 

I am also flying from LHR to New Dehli, lukla looks like fun.!!

Hi guys, just thought I would log on to catch up with everyone. I'm Paul, mate of Ian.

hi.....

lukla does look "interesting"

exactly 18 weeks to go

Hello. I completed the EBC trek last october. So If anyone would like to ask questions I would be very happy to help. I remember having many worries before going. so please feel free. Craig

Hi Craig thank you for the offer of any advise we may need, although you may regret the offer (lol). Although i only booked the trip a week or so ago i have been planning it for a while and the nerves are starting to set in. Can you tell me how fit you were and how hard you found it. Ive read that you walk in the Brecon Beacon is that comparable, is Pen Y Fan comparable to kala Pattar? What did you eat while you were there? As some days are very long obviously the group must get quite spread out, this may sound like a silly question but how do you know where you have to go? Can you tell me what clothes and equiptment you took how many pairs of socks and base layers did you take ect. Did you take any sort of water purification with you.Lastly could you get a mobile phone signal there? Thank you for any answers you have, and if you have any other advise it would be most welcome.

No problem happy to help.The food was very good ,as you eat in lodges. October will just begin to see the lodges getting busier.you get menus with food from omlettes , spag bol, egg curry Dhal Bhat. Breakfast is jam and toast or porridge. It is great food. Drinks are a variety of teas , we loved mint tea. (good for altitude) Can even buy chocolate bars and even pringles from all lodges.All lodges have a fire every night to all snuggle around.(they use yak dung not wood ). Best use hydration system for water, filled in the kitched every morning. we used purification tablets. No tummy problems at all. As for fitness, you dont need to be a racing snake to do the trek. The best tip is just to take your time . The hard sections are the climb up to Namche and then the slog up to Tengboche monastry. And when you get to gorak shep the trek to EBC is 2 half hours each way. You will get stretched out on the trek but not too much, and you will probably have more than one guide.One will be at the front and someone will stay with the last trekker.And they will stop at intervals for all to catch up. Remember the ones who set off the trek at a fast pace WILL SUFFER later in the trek , so take it slow and you will benefit later on at EBC. Go into Tengboche monastry and I swear you will be moved to tears, its so beautiful and humble.Tip on way out.a real highlight. No need to shower on way to basecamp just use good wipes. Usually get en suite rooms with showers  on way down especially from Namche downwards. Kala Pattar is ok really. early morning start, taske it slow and its no problem. Toilets are western style , but can smell as you bin toilet paper, we took a air freshner spray into toilets. Gorak shep has asian squat style, but you just get on with it, its fine. Clothing we took 5 pairs of socks, 5 base layers, 3 trousers. .Cant stress this enough but take very strond sun block, zinc oxide too. We got very burned faces not just from the sun but from the snow. And take good sunglasses. Some porters got sun blind believe it or not.Weather can be unpredictable from phereche onwards.We had bad snow storm and it was touch and go to go on. we got lucky.Some Israel trekkers got caught at EBC and only just made it to our lodge. We were in Kathmandu when earthquake stuck last year.It caused chaos on trek route as first bridge was taken out and a few villages were effected too. All should be rebuilt now. Flight to Lukla is amazing!!!!!! a real highlight. enjoy it. any more questions ask away.

thanks for all your advice im sure i'll have more questions as the time gets nearer

gary

I'm so excited! Not long now!

Fab, thanks Craig! Lots of info there. Making me excited too!

Sonia x

i cant believe its only 3 months away nerves kicking in now  hows everyone doing

Training is not going as it should really!

I was just reading the depature-lounge conversation for the Sept TNT departure - worth a read as they have a couple of people advising them who've just come back from the trip and have some good advise regarding how much money to take etc.

Can't wait....75 days to go!!

Stuart

Thats fine Stuart training at this end is on a stop start basis, more stopping than starting.

Well folks it's not long now! Just got mine and Ian's reminder to pay..lol.

Sonia and stuart all the best on your new adventure . keep climbing

Love the swad lads xx

And with 72 days to go I've finally got some gym membership sorted a few weekend trips in the hills in the planing, so hopefully I will be up there with you all, see you soon. Buzzing with anticipation.

Hi guys

Im travelling on 3rd Oct from Heathrow via Delhi for the big trek.

Thinking that this thread may be the right one ?? Certainly the dates seem to tie in. 

Anyway, sounds like everyone is excited and well up for it which is great. Im travelling alone but meeting my friend from Oz in Nepal. This is his 40th Birthday Bash !!

Now time to detox and train.........!

Hi Jerhyman - I think your Everest and Gokyo Lakes trip is code TNE, leaving a few days before us. We fly from Heathrow a couple of days after you....but as there isn't a thread for your trip, and we might bump into you on the trail - you're welcome to join in ours

I just paid our final invoice - it certainly seems more real when all that money leaves your bank account! 

Stuart 

Oh my gosh!!! Just been reading for quite a while, some of the other travellers experiences! I am SOOOOOOO so excited....

But getting edgey bout the training. Our eldest son, after his results last week, has now securred a place at Leeds Met Uni, so my next 2 half weeks are all about him, and getting sorted and settled. That'll leave me a grand total of FOUR weeks ro prepare for our hols! Eeeeekkkk..... Thaz not a lotta training is it? Or time to think about kit... But hey, I just keep telling myself 'it'll be alright'. 

How you guys doing, all excited??????

Wend ;-) 

 

I am now laid up so I do hope you are all training hard at the gym or out on the hills, I've just been signed off work for at least a week with a knee problem not what I needed so close to the departure when I should be building on my fitness, however there is a positive that can come out of everything and that means I get to read other peoples stories and watch lots of you tube videos of Lukla airport. If any inspiration was ever needed I think Harry's heros on tv last night was sufficient. Take care folks look forward to meeting you all soon.

Oh whoops Ian.... not good! Poor you, wot did u do??

And WOW that Harrys Heros thing was sooooo good. I cant beleieve all the walk to Base Camp that we saw! Its made me even more excited. Just been to Go Outdoors and looking online as stuff today - so hard to know how much/what to take?!