For many visitors, of course, the trek to Everest Base Camp is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Unreal, the view might b,e and breathtaking, the performance on leaky-suited marathons of high-altitude walks, or just the thrill of the sensation that they are marching towards one of the world’s most famous sights (and the mother of all bus stops) has become their daily cause. Well, what if you did want to do that? by Lorraine Posthumus. It’s illegal, but it can be one of the most extraordinary and life-changing things you’ll ever do. Exciting stuff? This is a guide to tell you everything you need to know to make one epic solo trek to EBC, Your One Big Ol’ Epic Solo Trekkin Adventure, and feel fine about embarking upon miracle-of-life-no-really-don’t-do-this-more-than-once-you’ll-fuck-your-knees-silly-tour!
That is why EBC Trek Solo found its place in my solo-trek bucket list!
Alone in the Everest base camp trek, you’re as free as everything, and there’s no one else here to tell you otherwise. Plus, you’re not trapped in the groupthink orbit, free to ambulate at your pace, switchbacks being of a mind to, indulge in the view without worrying about which booth takes home the lead. Because if you are, well, you certainly don’t need any reminder of that sort that’s capable, near-instantaneous and upbeat (dare I say, life-saving?)., of doing this: way to make us see just what one foot in front of the other can do for your mind and soul. There are so many famous walking trails and there will be some hiker came from far far away just like the hiker from Nepal’s: Mount Everest Base Camp, believe me you could ever will never complete it or you may see someone in the your track can be, they are team building time in their small big groups of strangers. (a room of one’s own in the narrow sense).”
Get Familiar with the Route
So if you’re praying for a solo trip in this adventure, the first question on any mountain enthusiast’s lips is, all right: you’ve sat at Everest Basecamp. It’s not technical, but altitude and temperatures can be intimidating, even for the most fit of hikers. You begin your trek at Lukla, about a half-hour flight from the nearest airstrip to Kathmandu. The trekking itinerary provides some of the most beautiful Tibetan monasteries, a sherpa village, and the green valleys of Nepal right at the foot of the world’s highest mountain, Mt. Everest.
Tho that’s how its been scheduled, and that’s how we’re about to start trotting around: Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Gorak Shep and then EBC (5,364m/17,598 ft) – And the views along the way: Everest, Lhotse & Co., pretty decent, I have to say 🙂 You can do the trek in 12- 14 days or a minimum to say ( depending on your walking pace and how many days you take for acclimatization).
Packing for Your Solo Trek
If it’s only yourself travelling, then this is even more critical. By that point, you’ll be carrying it all on your back, and you’ll want not to do that in such a way that it’s too heavy but also not too light on the stuff the sleeping and the staying safe up top tend to require. Here is what to pack:
And sun protection is another consideration: You need to make friends with those sunglasses and that wide-brimmed hat if you haven’t already. It’s hot in the High Mountain sun… but it’s cool with SPF 30+! And possibly a buff or neck gaiter if you want some protection from the dust and wind on your face.
Acclimatization Is Key
Elevation – The biggest challenge and hurdle of the Everest Base Camp Trek. Let’s be real, the higher up you are, the more difficult it will be to breathe, and no one wants to flirt with altitude sickness. And now we can start to slot this into a cosmology of acclimatization.
Much better to be a shee, and heed the tried-and-true advice “climb high, sleep low.” Which means you’re ascending as you climb to increasingly higher elevations during the day, and then descending as you come down to sleep to lower elevations in the evenings. You are simply reminding your body what day it is, doubling a day each time once past.
Build up the cashbox with acclimatisation days at Namche Bazaar, Dingboche, and Lobuche. Today is an acclimatisation day (to aid your body in adapting slowly to the altitude, lessening your chances of developing Altitude Sickness). And should you feel symptoms, as with all climbing, of course — dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath, you may recognize the signs — get down to where there is help if you need it.
Budget and Costs
You need to take cash for the trek.. Listies are not listing for Everest the high-priced (and rancid) dangle of the foothills that is base camp, and there’s an awful lot to lay out at base camp, too.
Bank on 5-10 med in tea houses for a night and 150-250 return on your flights from Kathmandu to Lukla. That amount, depending on your restaurant choice, will have to be between $3 and $8 per meal. That’s because there will be some solo trekking to be done, and the sleeping and eating is going to be a hell of a lot cheaper than the food and lodging the real route will be comparatively raw (not as in beautifully rustic teahouses, but functional for ensuring you don’t starve) tea house accommodation that you enjoy on the groups and take.
And save for things you’re not planning for, too. First things first, there ain’t going to be any plan B not to life, and plan B would be to have insurance, what you got, when you get sick or hurt _and get air lifted out at the elevation.
Navigating Solo
EBC Trek – While the trek itself isn’t that dangerous in any kind of a major way, don’t forget, you are far out there – hats off to the moderation policy there! Never, never don’t tell somebody where you’re going and hit up like the cops or the people around them wherever you circle, if you go out every time. Love all of this, but would also love to hear you discuss the topic of grabbing a local SIM or even better, a satphone for really emergencies. So you need somebody who, if something goes wrong, you can tell.
Prepare for the Challenges
For the girls who are forging their very own paths, hiking solo is empowering on the trail, certain, but with its occasions. They will deal with unpredictable weather — snowfall situations, thunderstorms — risky trail situations, and the looming hazard of altitude illness. It’s for your head as tons as your body!
Conclusion
We do not expect you to be an expert, but you do need to be fairly fit and prepared to train yourself before you leave for Nepal. If you are prepared, acclacclimatizedand pay attention to safety, this bucket-list journey can be yours. Trekking at both the base camps is awesome and is a lifetime experience, even for starters and pros.