As many of you know, back in April I made the trek to Everest Base Camp, which is an adventure that a lot of you either have done yourself or are planning to do in the future. It had long been on my “life list” of as well, and I’d been planning to travel to Nepal and complete that journey for several years before I finally took the plunge and went for it this spring. It was an amazing, yet challenging, trip that was filled with breathtaking scenery that proved to be everything I had hoped for and more.
I have now been home a month, and I’m fully recovered from the trek and the horrendous jet lag that followed. Since then, I’ve had time to reflect on the trip and collect my thoughts on what I experienced in the Himalaya. As a result, I’ve started to share the story of the trip at Gadling.com, the travel website that I write for in addition to this blog.
The series of stories on the trek will be entitled “Himalayan High”, and I have quite a few of them lined up for publication. I’m going to discuss what’s it’s like to make the trek, the benefits and drawbacks of being guided vs. going independently, the dangers of the hike, and how you should prepare before you go. Hopefully, when I’m all done, you’ll get a good sense of what to expect if you should go yourself, and maybe get a few insights on things you hadn’t considered before. If you have questions about anything along the way, would like some advice, or just want to share your own experiences, feel free to post a comment or drop me a note at kungfujedi@gmail.com.
My first story is a bit of an introduction for the Gadling readers on what to expect. It went up on the website earlier today, and you can find it by clicking here. The next article should go live on Thursday, and will start to chronicle the the trip beginning with the flight to Kathmandu and my first impressions of that colorful and chaotic city. I promise that when the stories go live, I’ll post a link to them here for those who don’t read Gadling, but are interested in hearing about the trip none the less. I hope you enjoy them. 🙂
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Kraig, can't wait to read the rest of the series. Did the trek interest you, even just a little, in one day going for the summit? Personally, I find it hard not to read all the great accounts (Into Thin Air, Dead Lucky, etc.) and not be tempted.
A few of us have gotten together to talk about attempting the summit in 3 to 5 years. We have a long way to go, but we plan to do Aconcagua first, then maybe Mont Blanc, Ama Dablam, etc.
If you're at all interested (and we're not committing, just talking), check out the trip at http://globetrooper.com/let-s-plan-to-climb-mt-everest-anyone-2013
PS Love the blog.
Todd, Yez, the trek in some ways makes me want to do the summit even more. When you're there, it can be exhausting and hard to imagine, but now that I've had a chance to reflect some, I realize what the acclimatization could do to help that and just what it would take to go the rest of the way. So, yes, I'm tempted! I'd need to find the cash and the time though, that's for sure. 🙂
Thanks for the compliment on the blog. I'm glad you enjoy it, and I hope you like the rest of the stories from the trek too. 🙂
Wow, I applaud you for doing something so adventurous, I would love to do something like that. I'll read on, cain't wait for the next part.
Looking forward to reading the article. I'm in the planning stages for a trek of my own next april and will use your insight and experience as a primer. Thanks for sharing it with us all!
Can't wait for your article. May I ask you to double all dimentions in meters as well. Will help to understand.
I will indeed try to post all mentions of altitudes in meters and feet. Thanks for the reminder! 🙂
I am thinking of treking to Everest base camp in 2011. Which company did you trek with?
I went with Gap Adventures who contracts with a company in Nepal. Had great service and guides, and an amazing time. They did a great job at a reasonable price.
Dear travelers,
Namaste and warm Greetings from Himalayan Country Nepal!!
My name is Sanjib Adhikari. As an independent trekking guide and tour operator in Nepal, I would like to welcome everyone in my motherland country, Nepal. With the keen interest in the adventure tourism, I have been involved in this field at a very young age. Pursuing my career in different capacities as porter, assistant guide, I have developed myself as an independent trekking guide and leadership in various outdoor activities. Licensed and fully certified from the Government of Nepal, we plan and guide for exploration and adventure throughout Nepal.
A little history:
I myself have been over expeditions to Mera peak, Island peak, Kalapathar, Gokyo peak, Tseryo RI and across many high passes in Nepal, Larkye Pass, Ampulapcha Pass, Chola pass, Renjula pass, Tashilapcha pass, Ganjala pass, Thorong La pass, Tilicho pass, (Mesokantola pass). Within the long span of an adventurous journey, I have extensive guiding experience on Mt. Kailash, Lhasa in Tibet also Ladak and Sikkim in India. Enrollment for 7 years long journey gives me courage to work out for an independent organized trekking agency.
Personalized service
I have guided many international groups especially from Europe, USA, Canada, Australia through the Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Mustang, Dolpo, Kanchanjunga, Makalu, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Helambu regions of Nepal thus have gained diversified experience and extensive knowledge on geography, religion, culture, local flora and fauna and on environmental issues in the areas where I personally organized the treks. We arrange all the customized packages on the basis of your interests and liking. Together with our highly friendly and experienced staffs as well your prior experience or interest, we can develop a personalized program of your interest..
Good food and comfortable accommodation
Trekking is the way of relating to the local community and practicing their life. One can enjoy an accommodation available according to the various regions. Accomodation varied from tea house in the local way and camping in the restricted and remote regions. For any kind of trekking, we make proper arrangement of hygienic food and safe and comfortable place to stay concerning the demand of our visitors. Along with that, we also make assure for maintaining your health condition with our full guidance.
Worry-free logistics and services
My first experience on many trekking routes has made me an expert on making unique trekking itineraries as per the tastes, interests and budget of the western clients. For those international trekkers who want to climb high mountain passes and peaks, I can also organize this challenging and rewarding adventure. We arrange all the necessary logistics necessities which include permit cards, pick up from the airport, national park fee, arrangement of porters and all other necessary requirements.
A Belief in environmental awareness and preservation
Wow! Reading about your experience of the Everest base camp trek will surely motivate other to take this once in a lifetime trekking adventure. Thanks! For such a encouraging blog.