Everest Base Camp- The first & solo trek.

Hello Everyone!

I am glad to announce that I have completed my first trek - Everest base camp (EBC) 5364 mts.

The EBC trek was on my bucket list for the past year. It has been a dream of many trekkers but I was not experienced (but manageably fit and exercised every day for the past 3-4 years with a proper diet) and it happened to be my first trek. It's no easy feat! It's a multi-day long-hour trek with steep inclination, elevation gain, and hard terrain in the most unpredictable weather.

But again It's not the Everest we conquer but ourselves!!

When I was planning for the trip, I often wondered what each day would be like – what would I see and experience each day? which days would be the hardest? How long would I have to trek for each day – All questions that were top of mind for me.

I tried to seek advice and tips from trek guides. However, I felt that a lot more information would have been really helpful for planning this trek better.

So here I am to help you all with my EBC formulae. Hope it helps!!

1. The Dollar is the best currency for exchange rate. For Indians, feel free to carry Rs. 100 & 500(as well) as the exchange rate hardly changes for Indian rupee.

Indian Rs and dollars are accepted in Kathmandu. However Nepalese Rs. is the only running currency on the way to EBC.

2. Most money exchange agents are in the Thamel area, Kathmandu. However, Namche bazaar is also a spot where money withdrawal and exchange can be done.

3. The per day expenses during this trek is 2000 NPR only in Kathmandu & till Namche bazaar. As you move ahead pls plan for 4000 NPR per day (i.e. inclusive three meals + snacks+beverages + phone charging + bath) till EBC.

4. If your itinerary is inclusive of meals, that's a great option as meals are very expensive as you go at higher altitudes. In Gorakshep, Dal-Bhat superpower food can be 1200 NPR. Because of diff in prices at altitudes from 600 NPR to 1200 NPR, most travel itineraries don't offer inclusive food.

5. Different travel agents claim that EBC offers varieties of food[pizza, burger, spaghetti], Hense they don't offer inclusive food. However, It's suggestable to have veg dal baath, eggs, and soups throughout the entire trek.

6. Going slow is the key to completing the entire trek. May be one step for one breath. [Remember slow and steady always wins the race.]

7. Invest in better trekking poles as the EBC terrain is highly challenging and steep. Poles will take away direct stress from the knees.

8. Not to forget, pls invest in snowproof and waterproof hiking shoes (+1 bigger size). As you come downhill, the tight shoe fitting might trouble your fingers.

9. Baby wipes are the savior in EBC toilets. Ppl might also carry portable jet spray. As there's no bathing in EBC(except in Namche that too for 600+ NPR), wipes can be used for body bath.

10. Pls use purification tablets (best option) for drinking tap water depending on their specification.

11. Ginger and garlic are savior food for cold and blood pressure at altitude. I could maintain a 90% oxygen level and 95 pulse rate without Diamox at Gorakshep with no AMS symptoms and cold(I have sinusitis).

12. Pain reliever gel and spray are a must to carry. Along with pls carry meds & antibiotics as well for upset stomach, persistent cough, and fever(Many ppl in this trek caught these symptoms).

13. To save food costs, one can carry ready-to-eat food and soups[especially at night]. Porters are very cheap in Nepal, so few folks also carry stoves and bread, butter, Maggi & eggs for breakfast to enhance the camping experience.

14. Carry protein like peanuts, protein powder, bars, and dry-fruit bars as you will get only carbs at altitude if veg. Nonveg is generally frozen and hard to digest at altitude.

15. A windbreaker is a must to carry. you might be wearing down jackets only the last 2 days of the trek or maybe at night. It's quite windy at EBC.

16. Wearing layers helps as you might be sweating while trekking and after the afternoon generally it rains/ snows, hence quite cold.

17. A rain jacket is a must as sometimes it rains every day there.

18. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they cause dehydration.

19 Drink a minimum of 4 litres of water (in pure form) every day to avoid AMS.

20. It is recommended to take trek insurance for 6000m altitude for helicopter rescue.

21. Bandana was one of the most useful layers against cold.

22. Invest in sports brand lipbalm(UV protected), sunscreen + cold cream. Normal cosmetic cream doesn't work at EBC[Ask me, I got tanned].

23. Can carry teabags and coffee packets to reduce food costs.

24. One power bank was enough for charging as mostly I kept my phone in airplane mode + no network in the last 4 days of the trek. Hence no charging cost was paid. People can carry portable solar chargers too.

25. Invest in good sunglasses(polarized + UV protected).

26. A 2-litre bottle is a must to carry as there will be fewer refill place options available at altitude.

27. A sleeping bag is highly recommended for the last 2-3 days of trek to EBC for sleeping. Considering unpredictable weather -20 C one is considered good. Teahouses generally only provide one blanket.

28. There are many trekking gear rental options for saving costs in the Kathmandu Thamel area.

29. A head torch is a must to carry for nights.

30. Toilet rolls are a must to carry as no teahouses have any.

31. Tea houses are pretty inexpensive (just 500 NPR/day), hence one can self-plan stay as well.

32. During peak season, a trek guide might not be required as there are plenty of ppl and porters who can help you with directions (I mostly self hiked asking ppl for guidance in English language). However in the offseason, pls hire a trek guide.

33. Lulka flight might stop operating for 2-3 days. Hence plan your return flight accordingly( You always have an alternative for this flight helicopter option- costly and roadway one (exhausting)). In summer like March-May, generally, the weather clears out in 2-3 days at Lulka, However in winter + rainy season one might get stuck for a long.

34. Doctors are generally very costly like 200 dollars/session at altitude while EBC trek.

35. Mental fitness, willingness, and positivity are the key to the EBC trek. It tests you mentally more than physically.

36. For training purposes, one should work towards exercises for increasing lung capacity as any amount of walking, running on a flat surface or stair climbing can't match the the uneven terrain of EBC(every step being uneven and simultaneous uphill and downhill).

37. The flattest surface in EBC has a 300m elevation, so train your legs and knees accordingly. Cardiovascular exercises and breathing exercises also help for getting prepare for EBC.

38. Trekking alone could be quite monotonous, hence good music/company (ppl) always help.

39. It's recommended that you start your trek early morning like 5-6 AM. At altitude, it gets quite cold and windy post 3 PM and could snow or rain anytime. However, I had also trekked at night as we were late in the mornings.

40. Carry UNO/game cards for offline entertainment.

41. Carry foot ointments for burning and sensation while trekking.

42. People might speculate about the Lulka flight, but don't worry you are in the safe hands of experienced pilots and it's a thrill ride :) Enjoy the toy plane and get a direct demo from pilots through curtains :)

Last but not least EBC trek is not a marathon, keep yourself slow but steady. It's just not the destination, it's the journey with mind and body in the right place, which is more important. Just with a few careful considerations, I am sure you will be able to make this trek quite memorable.