My trip to Everest Base Camp for Sue Ryder Care - PIC HEAVY!

[lamper]

All,

Here are a few pics of my trip to Mt Everest Base Camp that I undertook to riase £100,000 for Sue Ryder Care.

Prayer Rock - engraved messages to Budda

Some amazing water pool - so clean!

Group shot of me and boys - taken at the entrance to the national park - im on the far right

An amazing waterfall on just off from the path

Two porter carrying the essentials - yes that is 7 crates of Everest beer and a box of Digestives!!

One of the many mountains that I cant remember the name of - no its not Everest!

A glacial river that was almost a jade colour, not the best photo, but best I could do without full blow out.

More prayer stones, see how they cut away the rock to leave the symbols embossed? Now look at the first image, its done in the same way!!

The mountain range at Dingbouche - this is when we arrived, about 4pm.

Same mountains but an hour later!

Early start from Dingbouche to make it to Loubouche (10km and 1.3 km up away) - tents are already down so an alfresco breakfast fo us at -6c!

Me and the group! - Im far right again - an no I didnt mug Dumbledor for his hat!

Plaque to a sick Sherpa - check out his records at the bottom!

Everest and some prayer flags

A Yak

Our campsite in from of Everest

The valley on the way to base camp

The sign at the only split in the path on the way to base camp (yes thats me.

IVE ARRIVED!!! Me at the entrance to base camp - not alot there as people whoare summitting have gone home

These are just a few, there are more at www.galacoraleveresttrek.co.uk

I'll be putting up my favs on Flickr soon as well, so more to follow.

 

[Shewie]

Great pics fella

Hoping to do the same trek myself one day.

 

[lamper]

Do it and call me when you do. I'd go back in snap.

 

[ocean1975]

Great pictures,would love to get the chance to do it

 

[gsfgaz]

unbelievable views mate, what was it like waken up ti that in the morning mate
it must have been mind blowin... amazing photo's bud

 

[MartinK9]

Great pictures, thanks for sharing.

 

[stooboy]

amazing photos im very envious. good to see they have the essentials covered can you get everest beer here ?

What are the details where did you start your journey, how many days, miles, and meters up did you cover, and was altitude sickness a factor

if you where to do it again whats your #1 tip ?

a very inquisitive stoo

 

[lamper]

I was in a rush to get my train. Ill do a full post soon or check blog link at the top, which i qctually wrote on the way round via sat link.

Promise more and even better pic to come!

 

[welshwhit]

What a trip!

Great shots too!

Drew

 

[Bush Monkey]

I'd love to do that someday. Wont be for ages like but oh well

Lovely Shots as well

 

[Leonidas]

Excellent photo's thanks for taking the time to share

Tom

 

[Walks with dogs]

Thanks Lamper!!!!

Fantastic pics. The whole thing looks amazing.

I'm going in just over two weeks and very, very, VERY excited right now. I bet getting to base camp felt fantastic.

Oooh I can hardly wait....

 

[lamper]

Walks with Dogs:

You will have the most amazing time.

You asked for any tips in your PM, as did Stoo....

1) Shouldn't have to say this, but make sure your boots are well worn in, and you have the best socks you can afford - I use bridgedale Edurance trekkers - can back without a single blister

2) Wear your treking kit to Kathmandu (including boots) - in the event they loose your bag (unlikely but be a scout and be prepared) you will still have what you need!

3) You need less kit than you think - I couldn't be bothered to change every day - i did wash, but you're gonna stint - get used to it! Plus people are always swappign kit.

4) CHOCOLATE! - TAKE LOADS! I hate mars bars here, but on the hills I couldnt get enough of them - I also saw some pay £6.50 for a twix that was 3 months out of date - he was happy though!

5) Layers - Personally I wasnt cold and didnt need my down jacket - some of my team did. What I will say is its cold when you get up, but once the sun if over the mountains it get warm quickly! Take a wide brimmed hat and at least SF30 - the UV at that height is stong!

6) Camera - Get, take, and carry the best camera and kit you can. You wont regret it!

7) Weight - There is a 15kg wieght limit on the flight to Lukla - that said they never weighed me, and to get some stuff back I wore 4 layers on the plane on the way back to Kathmandu.

8) Namche Bazar - Its a town on the hills - amazing place where you can get bascially any camping gear for silly prices. Bought a Gortex NF summit series jacket for £20 - I know its waterproof as have been out in the recent rains - ANYTHING YOU BUY CHECK THE ZIPS!! - HAGGLE!

9) Tips - not sure how you have your trip planned, but if you have Sherpa/Porter team you will need to tip them on the way out - we were told $120 per trekker goes into the pot, could be different, but be prepared - they will earn it and more, trust me on this!

10) Keep an open mind and HAVE FUN! - Kathmandu and the trail can be a culture shock, but its very safe, and except for watching out for pick pockets (like anywhere) dont be afraid to wonder away from the western areas and explore!


STOO
------------------
My number 1 tip - for me - would be to take much less and buy anything I forgot at Namche Bazar. That said if it is your first time out, I wouldn't tell you not to take anything, but I personally now know what I didn't use.

My number 1 tip - for everyone else - Hmm... dont have 1 tip, but I suppose Number 10 would be the main one. All the others things should told to you by your trek leader or are things about training (plenty on the net about that). I say #10 because once you start talking to the Sherpa, trek leaders, locals, tea house owners etc, you learn so many great things.

 

[familne]

Stunning photos!

 

[kiltedpict]

Was there myself exactly 2 years ago. Had planned to be back just now, but a wee girl got in the way (Beth, 2 months old now).

I echo all the tips, although I did use my down jacket on a couple of evenings near Base Camp.

The photos are great and bring back so many memories... I too would go back in a heart beat.

Did you climb Kala Patar? I never made it to base camp itself, was knackered by the time I got to Gorak Shep. I decided to have a wee rest then climb Kala Patar instead and got some amazing pics.

Walkswithdogs- Have an amazing time and tell all on your return.
ATB

KP

 

[lamper]

We walked Lubouche to Gorak Shep - dumpped fleeces etc from the cold morning start, then carried on the EBC. Did the picture thing, then back to Gorak Shep.

Had a really early dinner that night and then 6 of us got up at 4am to do Kala Patar - Sun rise over Everest is AMAZING!! Photos to come.....

Up Kala Patar in 2 hours, down in 1 - so back at 7am for breakfast with the rest of the team (we only had tea and biscuits before) - then walked to Pheriche (15km) - HARDCORE!

Again, if you plan on going back call me!!

 

[lamper]

Walking with dogs:

two last things...

1) get a "buff" about £12 but very handy scarf/mask/head band/crevat (joking). When the wind is in your face, they great to stop soreness and dust.

2) take some berroca - water soluble orange vitamin C tabs. Water is boiled there and can taste metalic and boring after a period. Just give you some tase amd a good vit c boost

 

[Bush Monkey]

I have a buff. theyre great. never go out without it(within reason anyway).

 

[Walks with dogs]

Thanks for the tips Lamper, some sage advice there all taken firmly on board. Boots on the plane it is.

I just want to get started now.

 

[tommy the cat]

Great pic's!On my to do list too!
My mate went and his gf got altitude sickness....he had a great time anyway
d