fitness level for Everest Base Camp

what fitness levels are needed for the standard base camp trek from Lukla?

Thinking of doing this in Oct/ Nov but have been laid up for the last few months and am only now starting back on the fitness trail.

Can anyone compare it with some of the Euro treks like GR20, tour of Mont Blanc or Dolomites AltaVia2 etc

fitness level for Everest Base Camp

Read Stan Armington%26#39;s classic book ';Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya';. It will tell you everything you need to know.

fitness level for Everest Base Camp

I did this in Oct., to Kalla Patar summit. Lukla to summit in 9-day, no problems til last camp at 16,200. Did two day in namche and Dingboche. Had lung problems on the last day to summit, got all crudded up and had to go down to 14,200 after summit in same day. 10-days up is the recommended. I am a runner and average 30/35 miles a week prior to leaving. however, you can go at your own pace, I was an agressive trekker.

Pay very close attention to your hydration and eating as they signal the onset of problems when you stop/sharply reduce either intake.

it is a wonderful trip!!

people die on the base camp trek and lose their toes or fingers etc if they are not fit enough

it would be stupid to do this trek if you were not extremely fit

In some ways not unlike the Tour of Mont Blanc - walking days need not be any longer than on the TMB, and the major ascents (eg up to Namche, up to Tengpoche) are around 600 metres of ascent,a bit longer than the Col Grand Ferret, but on similarly good tracks.

The chief difference is the altitude. There%26#39;s no absolute correlation between age or fitness level and the way that you react to altitude (though obviously if you are fitter it%26#39;s better, provided that you don%26#39;t rush at it). As has been pointed out acclimatisation days, at least at Namche and at Dingpoche or Pheriche are essential. Take it slowly, drink in the scenery (and lots of fluids other than alcohol) and listen to your body. With adequate gear and slow acclimatisation you should enjoy the experience of a lifetime, and are not likely to lose fingers, toes, life !

Enjoy !

Thanks for the comments everyone, both interesting and appreciated.

I bought the above mentioned Stan Armington book, very good and very distracting! One slight criticism is lack of detail on daily elevation so I have also ordered the Kev Reynolds Cicerone guide to Everest. Have used his guides elsewhere and found them very precise in terms of terrain etc.

To make matters %26#39;worse%26#39;, a couple of trekking companies have spammed me following my post. Very distracting indeed..14 days, 18 days, 21, 24...my itinerary is growing.

Definitely looking to take it slowly and fill up the photo memory cards....

A further question, although I have all the necessary gear at home in Europe, am I better off travelling to Nepal light and buying again locally?

I will be going on to Aus/Nz afterwards with baggage allowance used up with %26#39;normal%26#39; clothing %26amp; equipment.

sounds good! What are your plans for when you arrive in Australia and New Zealand? The Routeburn Trek in New Zealand is awesome!

';sounds good! What are your plans for when you arrive in Australia and New Zealand? The Routeburn Trek in New Zealand is awesome!';

Aus - bit of work, bit of family. In between probably bit of Cape Tribulation. I%26#39;m quite a frequent aus visitor...

NZ - A trek of some sort. Routeburn a distinct possibility as Queenstown definitely in plans.

Gear - you can hire or buy down jackets and sleeping bags in Kathmandu (or even in Namche Bazar though selction probably better in Kathmandu - there are several gear shops in Thamel). Assuming that your luggage for the rest of your trip includes your boots and rain gear then there%26#39;s nothing else special that you%26#39;d need for the Khumbu - it%26#39;s just that it gets pretty cold at night, particularly once you%26#39;re north of Thenboche.

thanks for the gear update.

I normally fly with my boots on. Not pretty, but given the space they take up in the pack, most practical.

2 of us are Arriving in Nepal on 13 May and I was planning on hiring gear but now it seems so much hassle so am now planning on taking my own gear. We are going to Namche bazaar and doing day trips from there, about up to 4000m, not going as far as Base Camp.

Have you done any treking in Australia? I am from NZ and the treking is awesome and havnet been able to find any decent treking in Australia.Have been in Australia 4 years. I am going up Mt Warning (on border of QLD and NSW) next Saturday people say it is very good, so will see how that goes.