So you’ve arrived safely at Everest Base Camp, and are wondering what it would be like to ascend all the way and reach the pinnacle that is the dream of so many – to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Though treks to Everest Base Camp don’t require as much time or effort as a three-month ascent to the top, not all of the preparations you can make are physical ones: a good attitude and mental preparation can be just as important as physical fitness. If you are thinking about an attempt to scale the mountain, here are a few things to keep in mind before you set out on your journey to the summit.

It’s all in the preparation

Don’t rush your physical preparation. Before commencing a serious mountain ascent, ideally you’ll be accustomed to spending long periods at high altitudes. It’s also important to be mentally self-sufficient, even more so than when contemplating an Everest Base Camp trek. For the physical preparation, fitness training should be undertaken well in advance – at least 12 months before beginning your trek. Developing your upper-body strength is a good idea for ascents to Everest’s summit, as you’ll be carrying a 10-15 kg pack to the top – a far greater distance through thinner air than on an Everest Base Camp trek.

It’s no walk in the park

It’s recommended to gain an extra stone in weight beforehand, as you’ll lose up to 20% of your body weight on an ascent to the top of Mount Everest. You won’t need to worry about such drastic changes if you are only setting out on an Everest base camp trek, but if you’re looking up at the mountain and imagine scaling it someday, you might already be wondering how much it will differ. A large part is your diet when mountaineering to the top of Mount Everest – taking supplements such as glucosamine sulphate and omega 3 and 6 oils can be useful to help protect your joints under the stress of climbing. It’s also advisable to have enough dietary supplements as possible to replace the vitamins and minerals you’ll lack without fresh fruit or vegetables to eat. Boosting your immune system is also vital, and antioxidants can help – the body has less defence against sickness and injury at high altitudes.

It can be very peaceful

If you’re ascending higher than on an Everest Base Camp trek, rest stops will be a frequent necessity. Of approximately seven weeks spent climbing to the top of the mountain, only about 21 days are taken up with climbing. The rest are needed for acclimatisation and to let your body rest; so you’ll need to learn to conquer your own impatience, as well as the rugged mountain terrain.

It can be immensely satisfying

An Everest Base Camp trek can be incredibly rewarding in itself but sometimes, it allows a person to discover new challenges and new adventures ahead. If you catch yourself daydreaming about climbing ever higher, it might be worth seeing where your imagination can take you. Undertaking any mountain trek is an activity that can bring a person closer to themselves and let them discover just what they’re capable of.

Author Bio: Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company who have provided trekking holidays for over 20 years. They now offer treks and tours worldwide, including destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Everest Base Camp trek