Everest Base Camp Adventure

By Lee Kok Cheu
November 2018

This was one of my major items I wanted to accomplish and was on my bucket list for a very long time. In April 2017 I finally managed to fulfil my childhood dream and managed to trek all the way up to Mount Everest Basecamp. It fascinated me since a small boy that human being were able to trek this far up and even live there. I wanted to experience this myself and trained some months for this event to get fit. When I booked my flights and accommodation and tour, I was very anxious to get there and was literally counting the days until I will board the plane in Singapore and head to Kathmandu, where my journey shall begin.

Goma Air to Lukla

For safety reason I booked a guide with me as I did not manage to get a group together for this life time adventure! I boarded the flight on the 18th April 2017 and reached Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal on in the evening. I met my guide on the same evening for some briefing and the next day, the trek will commence from Lukla. You have to take a domestic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and boy, I was shocked how short the runway was when we arrived in Lukla:)

After the arrival the real adventure started and we began our trek up from Lukla to the first stop Phakding at 2,610 meters above sea level. The trek lasted only 3-4 hours and I was positively surprised on how fast we progressed. Well, I guess it’s because that we the trekking profile for this stage was ‘downwards’ as Lukla at 2,840 meters. I thought: ‘Woah, that’s gonna be a piece of cake man. How wrong was I. We spent the first night in Phakding and continued the trek the next morning around 7 AM to the next stage, which was Namchee Bazaar at 3,440 meters above sea level.

The journey took us about 6 hours and I knew from that day onwards, that it’s gonna be a tough one to fulfil my childhood dream. It was a though trek and a long day. Along the way to Namchee Bazaar, the view was stunning and I started to realise how beautiful this place is. You can really find peace in this surrounding and environment. One of the highlight was crossing the Hillary Suspension Bridge.

Upon arrival in Namchee Bazaar, I was amazed by the vibrant colours of the town and the friendliness of the people. It’s just awesome to be at this place. On the third day, we stayed in Namchee Bazaar for one more day for acclimatisation and had a day trek around Namchee and the surrounding area for about 5-6 hours.

On the fourth day we started early again and out next pit stop was Tengboche at 3,860 meters above sea level, one step closer to EBC. We managed to reach Tengboche surprisingly fast, before noon and we opted to have lunch there. After lunch we agreed that we reach the next stage, which was intended for the next day, Dingboche at 4,410 meters above sea level. This was a tough ascent and be prepared for steep climb up and lots of stairs. After another 6 hours of trek we reached Dingboche, totally exhausted and tired. We experienced some light snow and had a glimpse of the Amadablam Peak!

The next morning, with a bit of muscle ache, we continued our journey to Lobuche, 4,910 meters above sea level. Once I reach this stage, I am just one more night away from Mount Everest Basecamp! I was excited throughout the entire trek and could not wait to reach Lobuche with my guide Arjun, who took really care of me and gave me good tips, advices and explained me throughout the journey about the history of his country, bout the Himalayas and sherpas. With all the nice conversation and the nature around me, I forgot how tough and hard it as to climb further up. Finally, after 7 gruelling hours, and believe me, this was an exhausting one, we reach Lobuche!!!

The view was already stunning and my anxiety grew further as I could not wait to see EBC, the next day! The little child in me was there again, as excited as 30 over years ago, when I first heard about Everest and that people have summited it.

The day has finally come! On the 6th day, with little sleep, partly because of excitement and partly because of the elevation (air was really thin and breathing, especially during the sleep was difficult and hard). We started teh day slow and the two stops were Gorakshep at 5,140 meters and Mount Everest Basecamp at 5,380 metes above sea level. I took it slow as I was getting tired and breathing wasn’t that easy anymore and I was happy to see Gorakshep after 6 hours of hike. But this was not Everest Basecamp yet. Basecamp was another 240 meters of elevation gain away, but oh boy, that was a looooong and way to go.

Trust me in this and I thought it’s never ending. It took us another 3 hours until we reached Mount Everest Basecamp!!! At last, I ticked off one major item of my bucket list and I fulfilled my childhood dream and managed to reach Mount Everest Basecamp, 5380 meters above sea level. The feeling I had, was overwhelming and I will never forget the feeling, when I saw the yellow tents and sitting there on the piece of rock with the inscription saying: ‘Everest Basecamp 2017′! I FINALLY MADE IT!

After spending on hour at campsite, we made our way back to Gorakshep to have a good rest before starting our descend the next day. The entire evening I was jovial and chatting with Arjun about my feeling and how amazing this journey has been and I cannot thank him enough being my guide. The entire descend took us five days and whoever thinks it would be easy, I can tell you, you are wrong. I was tired, the thighs were burning and every step down was really hard and exhausting. After 12 days of trek, I was back in Lukla with Arjun and we spent a night, having some well deserved beer before heading back to Kathmandu.

Once we reached Kathmandu, I spent two more days with Arjun and did some sightseeing together before our ways parted. I and very happy and glad that I met Arjun and until today we are friends and I am planning to go and see him in his hometown for some other awesome trek. The next one lined up is actually Annapurna Circuit with Tulicho Lake.

Overall, it was an amazing, fantastic, great and overwhelming adventure and journey and I am glad that I decided to go for it. No regrets! No words and photos or videos can even closely describe what I have seen and experienced. You gotta see it for yourself and make your own judgement. The Himalayas are great and truly awesome and I will be back, that is certain! Along the way up, it daunted to me that most of the stuff you see, use and take for granted, were actually carried by porters. I have seen porters carrying bricks for constructions, food, drinks, toilet paper etc–common things we take for granted.

The daily food options in the guesthouses you stay is wide and good for me. I loved their Dal Bhat and other local food which you can get for your meals. Shower are mostly available in the guesthouses and in any case not, you better have wet wipes and baby powder with you for your dry shower. As said, resources are scarce up there. Do not take things for granted and that it is available. There is not fixed schedule when you want to start your trek in the morning, but I opted personally to start always by latest 7:30 AM in case I needed more time and tried to avoid the afternoon sun.

If you ever decide to give it a go to Everest Basecamp, here are just some tips I can share:

• Train, if you are not used to trekking, remember its 13 days and every day for about 4-5 hours in average min
• You must get insurance covering altitude up to 6,000 meters
• You must get clearance from your doctor
• Try not to waste food and finish what you ordered
• Bring water purifying tablets
• Bring snacks along as the treks can be very long
• Pack light (max 8-9 kg) if you do not opt for a porter
• Check your gear and prepare proper clothes (layering is essential)

To read about other adventures of KC, visit his blog https://mytimetogiveback.wordpress.com