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Your journey starts from Kathmandu where you fly off towards the mountains for a 45mn scenic flight to Lhukla airport. From there, the trail is good track with passing through picturesque villages and crossing suspension bridges over the Dudh Khosi River. It is easy trek with gentle altitude gain and short ups and downs. But soon, reaching Namche Bazaar after 4/5 hours of walk along the steep dusty slope will give you a glimpse of what you should experienced when entering high altitude area. Then, the questions become relevant, am I fit enough to reach Everest Base Camp and climb to upper altitude. I would answer yes if you follow easy simple rules ! Khumbu valley is a stunning experience. You are dropped off to Lukha via the main domestic airlines and you instantly feel that you are in another world. The trail offers exceptional views of 7000 and 8000m snow-capped peaks glittering under the ardent sun. But altitude has to be considered seriously as it can affect every trekker, even fit adventurer. And occasionnaly (but not rarely), altitude kills ! 1 – Find your pace. Each year provides its cohort of desappointed trekkers that had to turned back before getting to the ultimate point. Always walk slowly with a steady pace, even if the terrain seems nice and flat. Your body need to adapt to the altitude and it is a slow process. Save your energy for the last part of the trip where strengh and determination will help acheiving your goals. 2 – Take enough rest in acclimatization days. Get enough sleep. Read a good book. Listen to music on your MP3 ... take all occasions to give your body sufficient rest to ease acclimatization and beat altitude sickness. Make your backpack as light as possible and leave heavy loads in expeditions bag to be carried by the yaks. Reduce the weight to minimum to lower strains on your muscles. 3 – Start a training program. How many times have I heard from sick trekkers « I have been running 25 miles before the trip and I was fit, all was OK ». But for a trip to a mountain regions in high altitude, building up your stamina weeks before setting off is crucial. Running or swimming help improving stamina and resistance on long distance. Hillwalking and reasonnable weightlifting at the gym prevents early muscles cramps. From Pheriche at altitude 4,200m, you leave the camp at 4am to reach Base Camp in the morning. It is a long and strenuous day followed the next morning by a very demanding climb to the summit of Kala Pattar. Never underestimate the rigors of altitude or overestimate your abitites. 4 – What about Diamox ! To face the first symptoms of altitude sickness, keep on drinking at least 4/5 liters of liquids per day. As you climb up to higher altitude, you may suffer from mid to severe headacke, loss of apetite or sleep and vomiting. Tacking aspirin helps reducing the symptoms effects without any side effects. Diamox is a diuretic that delays the first effects of altitude sickness. The drug does not cure altitude sickness but prevents the Acute Sickness Symptoms to hit too early. The drug starts to be effective within 2 to 3 days after first take. Take it preventively and don't forget to drink twice as much to remain hydrated as sun heat, sweat and breathing into thin air dramatically increase the loss of water from your body. If none of that drugs reduce the effects of Acute Mountain Sickness, hike back to lower altitude immediately. Alternatively, you can get medical assistance along the trail. In Namche Bazaar, a dental clinic and a healing center provide medical care with a donation. In Kunde, a small clinic welcomes trekkers. In Pheriche, the Himalayan Rescue Association runs a clinic providing western standards medical services with afternoon lectures about altitude sickness and health care. Finally, an helicopter rescue service is available in the Khumbu valley in case life is at risk. Be sure to have the right travel insurance that will cover beforehand the cost of the rescue - about $5000 US. 5 – Then, is it trip challenging ? The Everest Base Camp adventure is an amazing experience of a lifetime. All well-trained trekkers will enjoy a memorable trip to the Sherpa region. Lanscapes are breathtaking. Cultural experiences are unique and the Everest view from Kala pattar is worth the demanding challenge. Then, do not hesitate and go for it, you will not regret it ! http://www.reachsummit.com
Article Source: http://www.globetrekkerarticles.com
Caroline Letrange is a Tour leader and a successful expedition organiser. She attempted Mt Everest in 2006 and Cho Oyu in 2004 after years spent on mountain routes in Chamonix in the French Alps. In 2000, she climbed Mt Kilimanjaro and then travelled extensively in Asia and Africa. Today, although she lives between London and Kathmandu, she enjoys travelling around the globe to lead mountain trips. www.reachsummit.com
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