Everest base camp
Discussion
Well Iv finally got the cash and the time to do this end of march...
So the doors are open and all advice for training and Kit that is essential will be greatfully recieved from anyone who has attempted or completed this !
I did the 3 peaks july last year and have boarded at approx 3000m and stayed at 2400m (Val Thorens) but thats as high as iv been and I have (well controlled) asthma but this doesn't restrict my lifestyle
Just after some virtual cuddles and tell me it will be fine!
Cheers
PT
So the doors are open and all advice for training and Kit that is essential will be greatfully recieved from anyone who has attempted or completed this !
I did the 3 peaks july last year and have boarded at approx 3000m and stayed at 2400m (Val Thorens) but thats as high as iv been and I have (well controlled) asthma but this doesn't restrict my lifestyle
Just after some virtual cuddles and tell me it will be fine!
Cheers
PT
hi I will also be attempting this in October been a long while since I did my last trek. As for kit Ive been given this as a kit list, hope it helps.
http://www.charitychallenge.com/pdf/Everest_Kit_Li...
http://www.charitychallenge.com/pdf/Everest_Kit_Li...
I did it 3 years ago in late Feb (bad idea) with the BHF . I was about 16 1/2 stone & ok fitness & didn't have any trouble.
The altitude sickness seems to be totally indiscriminate about who/how it affects people. We had a 72 year retired Gp who had no symptoms (apart from slipping on ice & cracking his head open!) & a 22 yr old fit pharmacist who came pretty close to death! Main thing i think is to be totally honest with yourself & the organisers about how you are feeling & whether you can carry on. We had 1 heli'd off, 2 collapses that were carried back down & 4 that voluntarily packed it in at various points but 27 people finished it fine. We had 1 official Dr & (fortunately) 6 others who happened to be doing it - the trip Dr was quite sick early on.
One thing that was stressed to us repeatedly was to not forget the return journey. The feisty Scottish barrister lady who pushed herself to the limit to get there & used up every resource she had was the one who got choppered off! Honesty about your state of health as you go is the key. I don't think there was any shame in being beaten by the altitude & coming back alive.
That said it was fantastic, tough, inspiring, fulfilling etc & wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
One thing, you cannot overpack for how cold it gets,particularly at night, so when you think you have all you need - add 1 more warm layer or 2!
Best of luck
The altitude sickness seems to be totally indiscriminate about who/how it affects people. We had a 72 year retired Gp who had no symptoms (apart from slipping on ice & cracking his head open!) & a 22 yr old fit pharmacist who came pretty close to death! Main thing i think is to be totally honest with yourself & the organisers about how you are feeling & whether you can carry on. We had 1 heli'd off, 2 collapses that were carried back down & 4 that voluntarily packed it in at various points but 27 people finished it fine. We had 1 official Dr & (fortunately) 6 others who happened to be doing it - the trip Dr was quite sick early on.
One thing that was stressed to us repeatedly was to not forget the return journey. The feisty Scottish barrister lady who pushed herself to the limit to get there & used up every resource she had was the one who got choppered off! Honesty about your state of health as you go is the key. I don't think there was any shame in being beaten by the altitude & coming back alive.
That said it was fantastic, tough, inspiring, fulfilling etc & wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
One thing, you cannot overpack for how cold it gets,particularly at night, so when you think you have all you need - add 1 more warm layer or 2!
Best of luck
Not sure about Everest as not done it (yet!) but in terms of altitude sickness I would say try and spend some time at altitude beforehand, it will really help you out.
Generally take the hike very easy, walk slower than you think you should and drink plenty of fluid, get lots of rest and take any opportunity you can to take on as many calories as you can. Don't drink alcohol (You'd be surprised what people will do!).
I climbed Kilimanjaro last year and all of the above helped me. In terms of altitude sickness I really struggled towards the top. We slept at 5000 metres or so on the last night (think Everest base camp is 5400?) and breathing even when not moving anywhere is laboured. Everything you do feels like a struggle and is quite tiring. Towards the top, headaches and a little double vision, can get sickness as well. As others have said fitness doesnt seem to impact on the likelihood of suffering.
Generally take the hike very easy, walk slower than you think you should and drink plenty of fluid, get lots of rest and take any opportunity you can to take on as many calories as you can. Don't drink alcohol (You'd be surprised what people will do!).
I climbed Kilimanjaro last year and all of the above helped me. In terms of altitude sickness I really struggled towards the top. We slept at 5000 metres or so on the last night (think Everest base camp is 5400?) and breathing even when not moving anywhere is laboured. Everything you do feels like a struggle and is quite tiring. Towards the top, headaches and a little double vision, can get sickness as well. As others have said fitness doesnt seem to impact on the likelihood of suffering.
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