Can a Beginner Climb Everest Base Camp?
 

Can a Beginner Climb Everest Base Camp?

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  • By Sanchita Pokharel

Yes, beginners can climb Everest Base Camp. For hundreds of years, the trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) has been attracting tourists from all over the world. It is home to Mt.Everest (8,849m), the tallest peak in the world. The thought of trekking to the Base Camp of the highest peak in the world might feel daunting, but it is completely possible.

Due to the Everest Base Camp elevation of 5,364 m (17,598 ft), the trek requires physical strength. The typical days to complete the trek is 12 to 14 days including the acclimatization day. Even as a beginner, you can summit to the base camp with some tips and guides. The long hours of walking, harsh weather conditions, and altitude challenge the trekker’s endurance and mental resistance.

Can a Beginner Climb Everest Base Camp

To complete the Everest Base Camp Trek as a rookie trekker, you have to be physically fit and do prior training. The major parts you should focus on are fitness, acclimatization, and high-quality equipment. Always keep your body hydrated and walk slowly because of the altitude sickness.

These challenges are the reasons to make us question whether can a beginner climb Everest Base Camp. In this blog, we will help you guide on how to prepare for the Everest Base Camp Trek. We promise to give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience with this journey. Your every step pays off as you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of Mt.Everest alongside other top 4 highest peaks in the world: Mount Lhotse (8511m), Mount Makalu (8,485m), Cho Oyu (8,201m), and Nuptse (7,861m).

Get your backpack for the trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, the land of the Himalayas, nature, culture, and diversity. Feel those flood of emotions while standing at the foot of Mt.Everest. Find out the tips and suggestions on can a beginner climb Everest Base Camp.

Overviews of Everest Base Camp Trek:

The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the most popular trekking adventures. Located in the Everest region of Nepal, this destination is the trekker’s paradise. The whole journey as you walk through the rhododendron forests, streams, villages, and landscapes, surrounded by the snow-capped mountains is a sight for the eyes. As the trekkers walk along the trail in the evening and the sun rays shower through the snow-capped mountains, the beautiful scenery takes all your tiredness.

The trek to Everest Base Camp starts from the thrilling flight to Lukla. The airport is known for being the most thrilling and dangerous airport in the world. After a 30-minute flight, the walking journey starts from Lukla to Phakding. The trekkers will stay overnight in Phakding and continue the trek tomorrow morning towards Namche Bazaar. It is a popular Sherpa village where trekkers stay for the acclimatization.

From Namche Bazaar the journey continues through Tengboche, and Dingboche, where trekkers have another rest day. Since the altitude gains are drastic, acclimatization is mandatory to make your body adjust to high altitude.

Can a Beginner Climb Everest Base Camp

From Dingboche, the trek continues until reaching Everest Base Camp, the lap of Everest. The trip also takes trekkers to another iconic landmark of the Everest region, Kala Pattha (5,550), the highest point of the trek. This place is famous for giving the best 360-degree views of Mt.Everest and surrounding mountains. Take your chance to enjoy the panoramic sunrise or sunset views.

Trip Highlights:

  1. Mountain Views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Nuptse, Ama Dablam, and more.
  2. Sherpa culture, traditional villages, Buddhist monasteries, and local traditions.
  3. Sagarmatha National Park.
  4. Everest Base Camp (5,364m), the foot of the world’s highest peak.
  5. Panoramic view of the mountain from Kala Patthar.

Can a Beginner Climb Everest Base Camp?

Yes, beginners can climb Everest Base Camp after training and physical fitness. Though the trek is known for having a difficult route, it is possible with good preparation. Trek to Everest Base Camp doesn’t require technical climbing skills. It is a completely possible journey for beginners also.

Some of the main challenges of this trek are high altitude, unstable weather conditions, and long walking hours. The solution to overcome these challenges is with good physical fitness, acclimatization, and a strong mindset.

Trekkers have to walk for 5 to 7 hours daily on average. Walking for long hours is physically demanding and tiring. Moreover, you have to continuously walk this much of hours for 11 to 14 days at most.

Since it’s a non-technical trek, trekkers won’t need trekking equipment like ropes, ice axes, or mountaineering experience. However, you will still need some gear like trekking poles, trekking shoes, and warm waterproof clothes.

Throughout the journey, you have to be very careful and walk slowly at a steady pace as the trail includes steep climbing, descending, and rough paths. If you are a beginner, then you have to prepare yourself with some challenges like:

Altitude Sickness: The highest trekkers have to climb is 5,644m (18,517ft), the elevation of Kala Patthar, and the 5,364m (17,598ft) at the Everest Base Camp. This elevation creates one of the major risks of altitude sickness. Therefore, rest stops at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche are required. Throughout the trek, it is recommended to avoid alcohol and smoke. Additionally, drink plenty of water and walk slowly along with your guide to adjust to high altitudes.

Exercises: You have to prepare yourself physically. Start doing exercise 1 to 2 months before he treks. You don’t have to do intense training. Just make sure to increase the physical strength and some preparation is required. For the benefit of the lungs, do cardio exercises like running, swimming, cycling, or hiking. For stamina, go for a hike and walk carrying a backpack. This helps you to be familiar with walking and the route that has ascent and descent.

Can you do Everest Base Camp with no Training?

Yes, you can do a trek to Everest Base Camp with no prior training but it is not recommended. Due to the many risk factors, trekking without prior training is dangerous. Trekking in the Himalayan region is not a thing anyone can do. Trekkers have to climb on a steep route for long hours and the high altitude adds another difficulty.

The higher you go, the lower your oxygen level gets. If you trek without training, there will be a high chance of feeling fatigued, altitude sickness, and hard-to-endure difficulty. Trekking in remote and high regions is already dangerous. Therefore, it’s very important to prepare your body for this difficult trek.

Do not take trekking at high altitudes as an easy task. Prior training is highly recommended even if you are not a regular hiker. Exercises that involve improving strength and stamina are most recommended.

Is It Easy to Climb to Everest Base Camp?

No, it’s not easy to climb to Everest Base Camp. It is a moderate-level trekking destination that demands prior training. It is a challenging but non-technical trek which means you don’t need to have climbing experience or trekking equipment. The things that make the journey difficult are long walking distances, high altitude, and cold weather. It is physically demanding and requires lots of stamina.

Some of the biggest challenges to climb Everest Base Camp are:

  • Altitude Sickness: This trek involves trekking in high altitude region. Due to the altitude, there is a high risk of getting altitude sickness. The symptoms are headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and vomiting. Therefore, it is essential to put two acclimatization days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche in the itinerary.
  • Weather Condition: Trek to Everest Base Camp during the best season only. The temperature at the Base Camp is freezing cold. As it is located in the Himalayan region, the coldest place in Nepal, the weather here is unstable. During the winter time, there will be heavy snowfall making the trek difficult. The trails will be iced and it will be slippery. That’s why, it is recommended to trek during the best season only. The best time to visit Everest Base Camp is in Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November).
  • Terrians: The beginning of the trek is quite easy and smooth. However, as you go deeper the terrain changes into rocky paths and glacial moraines. The path is well maintained but it involves steep ascent and descent along with loose gravel road. The higher you go, green valleys and forests disappear and you will see alpine meadows and rugged hills. There will be fewer trees and more open spaces.

Is Everest Base Camp Suitable for Beginners?

The Everest Base Camp is suitable for beginners. Every trekking enthusiast has dreamt of trekking to Base Camp the world’s highest mountain in the world. This achievement truly gives the reward of triumph for the trekking lovers. Besides trekkers, many of us have also once dreamed of reaching the foot of Everest at least. But can a beginner climb Everest Base Camp?

Reaching the Base Camp is completely possible, unlike the ascent to the Everest. For the Base Camp, you won’t need technical climbing skills. Good preparation makes your summit to the Everest Base Camp possible. But keep in mind, it’s not like the casual walk we do in the park. The total trekking distance to complete the trek is about 130 kilometers (80 miles). Trekkers have to walk for 5 to 7 hours daily on average. When the altitude also increases, the physical strain takes a toll.

Can a Beginner Climb Everest Base Camp

The most significant hurdle for beginners is the altitude. There will be a high risk of getting altitude sickness if you do not take care of yourselves properly. As you know precaution is better than cure, you have to be very careful throughout the journey. Therefore, the solution to this problem is acclimatization. It is a rest day made to adjust your body to high altitudes by increasing the red blood cells. The 14 days at Everest Base Camp include two acclimatization days at: Namche Bazaar (3,440m) and Dingboche (4,410m).

When we say you have to train your body, it doesn’t mean you have to be an elite athlete. You can do regular cardio exercises like walking, running, swimming, jogging, or cycling. This helps to increase stamina as you prepare for walking in long hours. Do not forget to train your leg, as you have to walk on rocky routes and steep cliffs for many hours.

Additionally, you also have to prepare mentally because walking the difficult road that is physically straining is not easy. Doing well-mindedness exercises is helpful in increasing patience and persistence. Therefore, if you are a beginner, it is highly recommended to go with a guide or porter. It can make a world of difference.

Can a Normal Person Climb Everest Base Camp?

When we think about Everest Base Camp, many get confused that they have to be professional and have to climb Everest. So they usually think can a beginner climb Everest Base Camp? And the truth is, they can. Any normal person can do it with the right preparation. The only things you need to complete the Everest Base Camp are good fitness, determination, and acclimatization days.

You might think it is just a walk and it won’t require ropes, ice axes, harnesses, and other climbing gear. Even though it’s not a technical climb, it is still difficult. The trek takes about 11-14 days, and you will walk for 5-7 hours every day. Because of the high altitude, there is a high risk of getting altitude sickness. If you feel like any of the symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or nausea, you have to immediately seek help and come down. The acclimatization days include Namche Bazaar (3,440m) and Dingboche (4,410m) to help your body adjust.

Everest Base Camp Trek Cost:

The Everest Base Camp trek cost package in Access Nepal is $1390 US dollars per person. It is an all-inclusive package that covers the expenses of accommodation throughout the trek and in Kathmandu, meals, round-trip flight tickets, transportation, guides, and porters. The price may vary according to the services and comfort you choose. For the deluxe Everest Base Camp package it will cost you $2690 US dollars only.

With a guaranteed departure date, Access Nepal offers a customizable option. You can easily design your dream package of your choice. Give us the chance to take you to the top of the world. We promise to give you the best adventure of your lifetime. Access Nepal provides the cheapest Everest Base Camp trek without compromising the service and comfort level.

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