Normal Trek

Approach

Flying into Lukla 9,350 ft.:
(Note walking times are approximate a lot will depend on how you acclimitize.)
Slowly decend to Phakding 8,700 ft. about 2 hr walk from Lukla, you will probably overnight here.

The next morning after about 2-3 hours you will pass through Jorsale 9,100 ft. . Here is where you will pay a fee and enter the Sagarmatha (Everest) National Parkand. You will then continue for another 2-3 hours up hill to the main Village of Namche Bazaar 11,300 ft. This is quite an elevation gain especially for those who have flown in. You should rest here one to two days, doing small side trips ect. to acclimitize.

The next day will take you through Shyangboche 11,800 ft. (approx) then onto the village of Khunde 12,600 ft. then onto Khumjung 12,400 ft. then you decend to near the river crossing at 10,650 ft. Cross over at Pungo Tenga. Then it is uphill for two hours to Tengboche. This is another good rest spot.
The following day continue east out of the settlement and down 1.5 hours to Pangboche 12,800 ft. (keep right). Continue for 1.5 hours till you reach a fork in the trail. Go left down to the river and cross over and uphill to the village of Pheriche (13,950 ft.). Stop here for the night. Here there is a Hospital for treating altitude illnesses.
The next day or so go north along the valley floor to the end and then up to the north-east along the glacial moraine past Dunhla (15,075 ft.) (Climbers memorials) to the Village of Labouche (16,175 ft.) another 2-4 hours will bring you to Gorak Shep. from here you can go to the top of Kala Pattar (18,450 ft.) or cross the moraine to the right over to Everest Base Camp (17,575 ft.) The base camp trek is longer thtn you would think so bring lots of water and food.

Route Description

The walk in for the first few days follows a very well travelled beaten track. A highway of trekkers, porters and yaks. The last couple of day involves a lot of travel over loose rocks (moraine). This is tiring with the altitude. Your foot ware should be comfortable well broken in and as waterproof as possible as you can and will encounter all types of weather.

Essential Gear

Partial Equipment list info:
Here is a brief incomplete list for you.

6-pairs socks

6-underwear

Pair of shorts for the walk in

3-T-shirts for the walk in

2-bandanas or a sun hat to keep off the sun

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen plus zinc

1-sleeping bag (as warm as you can get)

1-sleeping pad (your choice the more comfortable you are the better you sleep the more energy you will have) you can get a Crazy Creek chair that goes with your pad this is a good investment.

2-expedition weight Patagonia long underwear tops (or 1 depends on how dirty you like to be)

1-expedition weight Patagonia long underwear bottom

1 lightweight fleece bottom

1-heavy weight Patagonia or similar fleece jacket

1-Gortex shell jacket

1-Gortex shell pants (full length zippers)

1-Down filled jacket liner from Feathered Friends of Seattle, (optional but I always end up using it)

1-Downfilled Gortex guides Parka 1-Warm hat with ear flaps

2-pairs of heavy duty mittens (in case you lose one pair up high)

1-pair fleece gloves 1-pair ski gloves

1-pair good quality approach shoes or hiking boots make sure they fit you well and are broken in so as to avoid blisters. They should be waterproofed. These should do you for the whole trip.

1-pair of gaitors

1-pair ski poles

1-ice axe (not really necessary)

1-headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs

1-cup with spoon attached

1-Swissarmy knife

1- stove of your choice (I use Markhill stormy hanging stone with Blueway cartridges, you will have to get fuel in Nepal as it is difficult to fly over) Allow at least 1 canister per day for up high per 2-man tent.

1-4 tents one set up at base camp. one at camp 1, and another 2 for higher up. Your Sherpas will have there own equipment should you have sherpas.
3-1-litre waterbottles with insulators (drink at LEAST 5 litres a day to help acclimatize)
Food....your sherpas can provide this.

Miscellaneous Info

If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.

Images

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