Packing For Your Everest Base Camp Trip

Packing For Your Everest Base Camp Trip
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Traveling and being outdoors is something which has thrilled mankind from the very
beginning. You may be a humble homemaker, somebody at the commencement of a
professional career, or even somebody who might be scaling the heights of
professional summits- being outdoors is heart enticing for all alike. While being
outdoors and close to nature might be enticing as an option to de stress and
rejuvenate, the real reason for its attractiveness is that it is the natural way of living.
The human civilization as we know it today started with our forefathers as nomads,
hunters and food gatherers- all with adventure and thrill at their hearts as the most
natural emotion.
Given this natural flair for adventure many adventure lovers today venture into the
wide open lap of nature, to find what perhaps drives the whole love for adventure- a
challenge. This is what sees us all diving to fathoms below the sea, and climbing
daunting summits. Speaking of summits, what better challenge can possibly face you
in the world than scaling the daunting summit of the highest peak known to the
contemporary world- Mount Everest.

The Tibetan platue view of Our Juggernaut
The mountain peak which stands as not just the Mahalangur mountain range in the
Himalayas, is the highest peak on the planet as well. It is revered and referred by
various different names in different regions – Sagarmatha in Nepal and
Chomulungma in Tibet. From the perspective of trekkers and adventure seekers,
Mount Everest in itself is both a heaven and a challenge. Apart from the most
expected obstacles in the form of an unsparingly cold weather and altitude sickness
for trends as the trekkers, the Khumbu icefall stands as an undeterred challenge.
Trekker can leverage the knowledge and the natural skills of the local Sherpas, but if
you dream of being in the august league of Edmund Hillary and Tenjing Norgay, you
have to go prepared fully – both in terms of physical and mental strength, and the
right gear and accessories. However given the daunting height of the highest peck of
ground on earth, trekking to it and scaling it’s summit isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It
takes only the most avid and experienced trekkers to even attempt t scaling the
heights of Mount Everest.

In fact one has to showcase their past experience of daunting treks and scaling other
peaks, before they can attempt to make it to the elite group which only a few
handfuls are a part of across the world. So does that mean that adventure enthusiasts
who do not boast of such an impressive adventure profile can consider Everest as a
distant dream? Well, not really!
Given the height of the summits of this juggernaut, the base camp where the ultimate
Himalayan challenge of climbing to its top starts, is a challenge in itself. This is what
is popularly known as the ‘Everest Base Camp Summer expedition’ to the
Everest, and is attempted each year by thousands of mountain climbers and
adventure seekers from across the world. This is in fact a summit in itself when
trekkers trekking to the very peak of the mountain want to accamatise. The name of
the trek does not in fact do justice to what it really refers to.

What’s waiting for you on the Trek
It is anything but obvious that with the height at which Mount Everest’s summit
stands; it is bound to cover a very large area over the face of the earth. This can well
be seen from the fact that the base camps to the trekking expedition to the summit
start from two very different countries. The northern base camp for the expedition is
based at Tibet, and sits at a very respectable height of 5150 meters above sea level,
while the southern base camp lies in Tibet, at a slightly higher height of 5364 meters
above sea level. The campsites are basically just the rudiments to the trek to the
summit of Everest, which the professional trekking expeditions make use of during
their ascent and descend from the peak. Each side of the base camp basically gives
the trekkers the access to the peak from the respective ridge sides – the north base
camp is used to trek from north eastern ridge while the south camp from the south
eastern ridge.

The North Base Camp
If all these fact and figures about the trek and the vicinity are just about intimidating
and scaring you off it, just don’t let it just yet. In the midst of the torrential and
unsparing weather conditions in the Everest Base Camp Summer expedition, what
awaits you is a chance to witness how the human civilization has blossomed in the
laps of the mighty Himalayan range. This is a chance to see some of the most
forgotten villages of Nepal and experience what lifestyle makes the local Sherpas a
force to reckon with during the trek. All this is packaged beautifully amongst perhaps
the most spectacular views of the mesmerizing valleys, peaks and rivers which are
like hidden in the heart of the Himalayas.

LET’S GET PACKING, SHALL WE!
If you are thinking of heading for this adventure of a lifetime, getting ready for the
trip is the most imperative thing to do. This is not just important from the point of
view of being ready, but becomes all the more important when you look at the
weather conditions which await the trekking enthusiasts there. In the freezing cold ,
chilly winds and the unexpected precipitation which characterizes the trekking
experience, it is important to respect the weather conditions while you prepare for
your upcoming trek. The preparation does not have to be too formal or over the
board; just stick to the basics you can think of before you head for Everest base camp
trek 2016, a place with such torrid weather conditions, and you will find yourself
with a fairly comprehensive to-do list.

1. A man needs to sleep, after all!
Your days at the Everest base camp trek 2016 will be fairly taxing, both physically
and mentally. The rugged terrain and all the obstacles and problems it comes bundled
with will need you to be on your toes at all times – with both your body as well as
your mind during the day. Thus the only time which you will really have at your
hand to buckle up and rejuvenate is the night time, and it is not a smart move to be
callous about it. Ensure that you pack all the things necessary to make your sleeping
experience a comfortable one.
The first thing which your to-do list should ideally start off with is definitely a
sleeping bag. The sleeping bag is going to be your first line of defense against the
biting cold and the chilly winds which would prevail freely when you chose to hang
your boots at night for the day, after toiling hard on the trek. This is why a sleeping
bag is definitely something which cannot be ignored.

Go for a sleeping bag which is warm, cozy and soft on the inside. What it is really
meant to do is to provide you with a decent cushion for the back and the arms when
you sleep so that the surface you sleep upon becomes immaterial. While doing this, it
also has to be practically air-tight, that is, it should under no circumstances allow any
stray water, ice or chilly winds through it, making you feel as if you are sleeping in a
heat locked cocoon. While a waterproof material is essentially what you will want
your sleeping bag to be made of, you would also want it to be tight in rolling and
compact when packed for the weight you would have to carry on your trek’s sake.

1. A man needs to sleep, after all!
When it comes to a comfortable sleeping experience on the trek, there is also another item
you would want to pack in your bag – a ‘therm-a-rest’. While the trekking trail to and fro
the base camp to Everest would have small hotels and make-shift tea shops enroute, there is
no guarantee of the quality of the mattresses or the kind of surfaces you would get there to
sleep at night. Thus being ready with your own mattress, just in case would definitely do no
harm. You can find a host of types today, but always go for a compact, inflatable one, which
would give you the added advantage of being small and size resulting in a great space
saving in the bag which you pack.
Post a tiresome and taxing day hiking around in snow and ice, when you finally come o rest
in your tent, you would want to get rid of your trekking shoes and change into something
comfortable to sleep. A pair of fleece pants in your bag would prove to be just what you will
need then, for a cozy and rejuvenating sleep during the night. While you pack them
however, make sure that they are kept at some place dry in your luggage. The last thing you
want is to head back to your tent and change into a wet pair of pants for the night.

2. Pay Attention To What You Wear!
Being at the very foothills of the highest summit which the world has to offer for scaling,
you can be absolutely sure that trekking around in the vicinity. While the steps mentioned
above will give a trekker a chance to fight the chilly nights, the actual trek will be a whole
new story. The shield you will have and need during the actual trek will be the clothes
which you wear, and it is hence imperative that you have a section in your luggage
dedicated to the clothes. Let’s look at what can make all the difference for you as a trekker
when it comes to the clothing you carry along.
For the lower body which is going to be the area in your body which will propel you
forward during the trek, a track pant is necessary. Choose the right fit in terms of the size
and make sure that you try them out enough times before they deserve space in your packed
luggage. This is because the last thing you would like on the actual trek is to be caught with
a pair of ill-fitting track pants, which will make you, walk, bend or move uncomfortably. Go
for the stretchable make of these trek pants, which can be easily purchased online, and come
in various makes, fabric and colors.

For the times when you might needs to cross a river enroute or for the slightly warmer
days when you would not want to be stuffed into full-ammo trek pants, keep a pair of nice
and waterproof shorts packed in your carry luggage. Just a single pair of dry easy shorts
will do which do not absorb much water and can dry off easy within no time. The shorts
will also act as a lower when the trekking pants need to be brought down, hence
protecting your privates from the attack of biting winds or freezing water during the trek.
As you start ascending towards the base camp and it starts to get colder, have a warmer
second layer of trekking pants packed with you. This should be a bit warmer than the one
beneath it, and would take all the beating of the ice and wind over it. A smart thing to do
is to cover up all these multiple layers of clothing with an ultimate cortex layer, which
will be the first line of defense in the biting cold. This can well be made of fibre or
synthetic but absolutely has to be water proof and snow-proof. It should be easy to slip
into and for this it has to be flexible enough to not squabble along into piles when you
bend, sit of slouch during the trek. The mid-section of your trekking attire is where you
can play a bit with the layers you put on, and you can pack stuff like short t-shits to start
with, and a merino wool ice breaker top to go along with this.

What the latter will do is to keep any snow which creeps in from the top layers away and
would not smell either. Pack up a set of five to six of such tees, pullovers and fleece layers
to stay packed up. You might not eventually need all of these at the same time given the
conditions, but you can mix and match them to use, as per your convenience. Do not forget
to top all these layers of good woolens with a nice wind breaker or wind cheater jacket,
which will save you from those chilly winds and snow storms. Needless to say, go for a
jacket which comes with a hood, to keep you air tight from head to waist.
For a comfortable day’s work in those hard soled trekking shoes of yours, you would need a
few pairs of socks packed as well. Make sure to carry at least 2-3 pairs each of hiking socks
and liner socks (the added numbers for just in case one of these pairs gets wet). Have a
couple of pairs of woolen thick socks as well, for times where the chill starts to bite in your
feet. For your hands which will do much of the work in holding and gripping the gears
during the trek, have a thick pair of North face gloves packed. These have to be true to your
grip size and can be supported with inner support layers to keep you further warm. Keep a
smart pair of liner gloves handy as well to form a base to the main gloves, which will ensure
that your hands do not get exposed even at times when you get rid of your main gloves to
let’s say click photos etc.

There is always going to be those itsy-bitsy things which you will have in your luggage
such as travelling t-shirts, those extra pair of shorts, sneakers, trekking shoes, razors and
what not which will not be of much utility while on the trek. What will hence be a good idea
in this light is to pack such stuff in either a separate smaller bag which can be easily
dropped aside; or if it absolutely has to sit with your other imperative gear and luggage on
the flight, keep these things packed much on the top, to save yourself those packing hours
and energy in the hotel.

3. Stay Stocked Up On Your Fuel
You know you are heading to a place which will test not just your physical strength, but
also the endurance you have built in your body. With the biting cold and the dipping
temperatures which will be a usual experience during the trekking experience, you would
want to be stocked up in terms of food to keep you warm and energized.
Dry fruits will be a handy snack to keep during the trekking times, and at night. What makes
them an interesting carry along for your base camp trek to Everest is that they will not hold
very much space in your luggage, and you can even stock them into the pockets of your
shorts or trekking gear. There are a lot of varieties you can bank in on before you
commence your trek; almonds and raisins will give you the energy to curtail the torrential
winds and dipping temperatures when trekking, dates will help you keep warm enroute.
Whenever and if you get some warm milk at one of the tea shops or hotels enroute, the dry
fruit stock can come in handy for making you a nice and wholesome meal, equaling a
decent breakfast you would have at home, in terms of calories. Many smart trekkers
measure these dry fruits and segregate them into packets, stocking each packet separately.

Staying hydrated during the trek is crucial, all the more at the terrain you are going to trek
in. This is because unlike other terrains, you will not sweat like crazy and visibly, but inside
those piles of clothes which you have on. Hence staying hydrated will become crucial to
maintain your body temperature as well as the flow of nutrients and energy through it. Work
with a back up approach here! Have a hard fiber water bottle, which will be used in handy,
and would give you that first liter to the start of the day. This can also be filled up with hot
boiling water without damaging it, and then put in nicely into your sleeping bag, to give you
that warmth at night.

4. The Add On Accessories
While most of the clothing, gears, jackets, layers we have discussed above are enough to
take care of the major body surface, it is important that some of the more vulnerable parts
are fortified will defense mechanisms against the cold. Though many people seem to have
an inexplicable prejudice against it, a balaclava can come in very handy when it comes to
protecting the neck, the upper chest and the chin from the cold. As these are the areas of the
body from which the cold can sweep in easily, a balaclava works by covering thee areas
fully, hence filling up the baps which your pullovers, t-shirts and jackets are bound to leave.
Top it up with a nice hat to cover your head and forehead, which can be either a full woolen
hat or a nice and suave light cap. A longer version of a balaclava can also provide you that
much needed cover from the biting winds. A nicer and more preferred alternative to a
balaclava is a buff, which will give you an all round cover to the neck. Being the high
altitude and the shivering cold climate you will be faced at the foothills of the highest
mountain on the face of this earth, the last thing one would think he or she has to worry
about is the sun. However seldom to people know that with the high altitude they are
ascending to, they are all the more closer to the sun as well, and are at a greater risk of
damage to their skin, eyes and years.

Also the snow scattered along in the vicinity acts as a nice reflecting surface to the sun rays
and can accentuate the sun damage which can quite easily be caused to your skin. Have a
few bottles or tubes of 40 or 50 factor sunscreen lotion with you. For your eyes, use
sunglasses or any other form of reflector blocks. Make sure that you have a long hat handy
for you for those sunny days, so that you cover the top, back and foreside of your head
covered, along with the ears and the neck portions. This will prevent the occurrence of any
sunburn to your skin, which might aggravate with the altitude, and potentially lead to
ending your trip midway.

5. Medical Assistance and Accessories are A Must Have
Let’s face it here! The trip you are heading to is no touristy outing; it will be full of adventure
into the torrid laps of untamed nature, and small cuts and bruises are more than expected. Be
ready with tools and medicines to perform basic medical procedures and hygiene tasks. These
could include nail filers, brushes, plasters, bandages, joint covers, pain killers, blades and even a
small mirror if you would like to. Have some basic have to lotions and disinfectants with you,
should you clean up a cut, bruise or a wound enroute. As add-on, have a small hand towel at your
disposal, which would come in handy during medical procedures and to keep your hands dry post
these procedures, or post washes along the route.

Packing For Your Everest Base Camp Trip

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