Most Inspirational Moment
Lots of special moments
1. Meeting and having tea with Kancha Sherpa at his home in Namche - the last living member of the 1953 Hillary Tenzing expedition.
2. Staying at Base Camp and meeting the amazing people of the North East India expedition. Speaking to the young 16 year old who was preparing to summit. The wonderful hospitality they gave us.
3. Waking up in the tent at Base camp - with everything frozen inside the tent.
4. Visiting the hospital at Base Camp and meeting Kirsty, the doctor.
5. Surviving the Lukla flight.
6. Snowing at Base Camp.
7. Getting up close to the Khumbu icefall. Seeing climbers on the icefall.
8. The amazing views of Everest and Ama Dablam.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Lakpa was brilliant. He looked after each and everyone of us. He was always there if we needed him - day or night. He made sure people were eating. Made sure people were feeling ok. And had the necessary medicine if and when required. His knowledge is vast. He knows Everest. He knows the Himalayas. He shares his knowledge with everyone. He knows everyone! Thank you Lakpa - hope to trek with you again.
All the guides were fantastic - Temba Senior and Junior and the Yak boy. All worked tirelessly to make sure everyone had the best time. From tea in the mornings, our bags always in our rooms or tent, gentle encouragement when the going got tough, sense of humour when needed, and most importantly making sure we acclimatised as best we could. Slowly, slowly! Very experienced.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Lots! The weight limit for the Lukla flight is a 'strict' 10kgs for main luggage and 5kgs for day pack. You can leave things at the hotel in Kathmandu. Essential items - a buff to avoid the Khumbu cough, good merino thermals, Imodium (altitude does play havoc with your tummy!), Nurofen for headaches, 4 season sleeping bag- but tea houses do provide blankets or quilts, a good day pack and hydration system - you must, must, must drink lots of water. You can buy bottled water or boiled water. Drink hot lemon at tea houses when you feel you can't drink anymore water. Walking poles - it's a long way up - and seems an even longer way down. Your knees will be grateful. A down jacket for evenings - and a windproof top and another warm but thin layer. You won't want to be trekking in your down jacket.
Don't automatically assume you need Diamox. I never took it. Take local advice and see how your body copes.
You can buy most things en route - tea houses sell snacks, water, coke, chocolate - gets more expensive higher up - but not too expensive considering it is carried up the mountain.
Food at the tea houses is good. Breakfasts consists of porridge, muesli, eggs, toast, pancakes, tea. The menus include rice, noodles, soup, chips, pizza, yak steak, mo mo, apple pie!
You need to be fit to enjoy the journey - but the awesome scenery that changes each day helps. Stop and take photos. Take spare batteries - you can charge batteries and phones at the tea houses and Base Camp. Phone signal is intermittent. Wi-fi is at some tea houses - including Dingbouche and Gorek Shep.
Do the acclimatisation trek at Dingbouche. It's the rest day - but do it. It was my hardest day but I'm sure I benefited from doing it.
Don't be put off by the flight to Lukla. It's an experience. The stats are in your favour. Keep calm and live the adventure! The planes are small and fortunately our flights were relatively smooth. Do it!
