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Preparing for the Trek by Susan
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Thu, 02/28/2008 - 23:59 — skress
I am currently very busy preparing for our Everest base camp trek. There is so much to do and pack. I have many mixed emotions about this trip. I am very excited to be going. This is such a wonderful opportunity to see and experience a new part of the world and to see Scott off on his climb. I also am feeling very sad at the thought of leaving our children for three weeks. This will be the longest I have ever been away from them. And with both of us gone it seems all the more traumatic. But I’m sure they will have a great time with my parents and Scott's Mom for three weeks. I also am feeling that I don’t want our trip time to come because it means that after our trek Scott will be leaving to climb Everest for 2 months. No matter how many times he is away on his climbing expeditions it never gets any easier.
Something that is both keeping me very busy and making me very excited about our trip is our affiliation with the Youth Advancement and Upbringing Centre www.yauc.org ; an orphanage in Kathmandu. At our daughters school they have a tradition where the grade two classes select a
worthy cause to support in an effort to enrich the lives of those outside our school community. I have been very busy working with the grade 2 families at school collecting items that we are putting into care packages for each of the 13 orphans. Scott and I will be personally delivering these packages when we arrive it Kathmandu. I am sure this will be a very rewarding and moving experience for Scott and I as well as all the children involved.
I have been training hard and feel like I am in good shape for the trip. I have been to high altitude once before and faired not too bad. We will be taking a slow pace to allow for proper acclimatization so that we don’t get sick and miss our trip to base camp. I will add dispatches along the way and look forward to connecting with all the MyEverest readers.
Hi, this is Susan, Scott’s wife. As I will be adding to the dispatches as we trek I thought I would get started here.
I am currently very busy preparing for our Everest base camp trek. There is so much to do and pack. I have many mixed emotions about this trip. I am very excited to be going. This is such a wonderful opportunity to see and experience a new part of the world and to see Scott off on his climb. I also am feeling very sad at the thought of leaving our children for three weeks. This will be the longest I have ever been away from them. And with both of us gone it seems all the more traumatic. But I’m sure they will have a great time with my parents and Scott's Mom for three weeks. I also am feeling that I don’t want our trip time to come because it means that after our trek Scott will be leaving to climb Everest for 2 months. No matter how many times he is away on his climbing expeditions it never gets any easier.Something that is both keeping me very busy and making me very excited about our trip is our affiliation with the Youth Advancement and Upbringing Centre www.yauc.org ; an orphanage in Kathmandu. At our daughters school they have a tradition where the grade two classes select a worthy cause to support in an effort to enrich the lives of those outside our school community. I have been very busy working with the grade 2 families at school collecting items that we are putting into care packages for each of the 13 orphans. Scott and I will be personally delivering these packages when we arrive it Kathmandu. I am sure this will be a very rewarding and moving experience for Scott and I as well as all the children involved.I have been training hard and feel like I am in good shape for the trip. I have been to high altitude once before and faired not too bad. We will be taking a slow pace to allow for proper acclimatization so that we don’t get sick and miss our trip to base camp. I will add dispatches along the way and look forward to connecting with all the MyEverest readers.Susan
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preparing for the trek
buggsleg — Mon, 03/03/2008 - 13:23Hello -
Your trek couldn't have come at a better time for me and my husband. We have decided to attempt a trek to basecamp next fall. I am looking forward to following your posts. I would really appreciate any help in how to prepare both equipment wise and physically. This is all new to us so we need everything. We fell in love with the area when we were there last year and my husband thought this would be great adventure for his 40th birthday. I have been to every website I can find for a company to get us up there and I don't know which way to go. Do you have a group you can recommend? I have a million questions but don't want to be a bother so I will toss them out to you all a couple at a time.
We were in Chitwan last March and met a group of foster kids. I think what you are doing is great and we were hoping to help out with clothes, etc. when we go or even before. Please forward information for the organization you are currently working with.
Thank you!
Lynn
Hi Lynn
Cas — Mon, 03/03/2008 - 14:00Im am sure that Susan and Scott will be able to give you excellent advise. Also if you look at Paul Adlers second Everest climb , or 5 on Island Peak ( both on the site ) you can read about three treks to basecamp last year. 2 via Tengboche/ Pangboche and one via the Gokyo Lakes ( recommended ) You wil find daily dispatches there and some idea about equipment etc. Also if you have any questions I'm sure we will all be glad to help
Cheers
Cas
Lynn Trek Questions
skress — Tue, 03/04/2008 - 00:53Hi Lynn, thanks for your questions. This is Scott replying. You will love the trek. It is beautiful. I will post a clothing list over the next week or so as well as our itinerary. The more time you can give yourself the better. Acclimatization will play a big factor in your enjoyment of the trek. Go slow and you'll have a much better chance of making it all the way to base camp. Jamie McGuinness has a great book entitled "Trekking in the Everest Region". The 4th edition is pretty hard to find, but the 5th edition will be out in the next couple months. Amazon.com is taking pre-orders. This book will answer many of your questions.
We are using a local Kathmandu outfitter and not using a guide because I know the area pretty well. We will however, have a porter. If you are interested, you can contact Nima Sherpa at swagatam@wsn.com.np and he call set you up. The advantage of going with a Western company is that they will handle all the logistics for you and have an english speaking representative on the trip, but you will pay more for this.
Regarding training, the better shape you are in the better. However, I have seen it all. You will be moving at a pretty slow pace, so with a few months of training you should have no problem. The biggest factor is cardio and leg strength. I would recommend running or walking several times a week and some weights. If you can hike on some local hills with a small pack that would help greatly. Once on the trek make sure you eat and drink a lot. You will be burning a lot of calories and will need the energy. You will also need to get a good nights rest. Take ear plugs as the lodges can be a little noisy at times.
There is so much more to tell, but this will be a start.
All the best, Scott.
More questions
buggsleg — Tue, 03/04/2008 - 16:38Hi Scott -
I will be ordering the book. I will also be getting in touch with Nima Sherpa.
We jog 4.5 miles at least 3 times and week and mix in weights and pilates. My husbands goal is to start doing 10k's this summer (we live in Florida). Speaking of Florida, we have no hills but thought bleachers at the local high school would be a good idea.
One more thing and I'll leave you be...what time of the year do you recommend for a first time trekker? We planned on the Spring but I want the beautiful views that I have heard about in the Fall. What are your experiences?
Thank you so much for your help.
Lynn
Questions
skress — Sun, 03/09/2008 - 18:19Lynn, it sounds like you will both be in good shape for the trek. Stair climbing is a good substitute for hills. As for the time of year, I have been there in both spring and fall and have had good and bad weather in each season. The spring is moving out of a relatively stable winter weather pattern and into the summer monsoons, whereas the fall is moving out of the summer monsoon season and into a more stable winter weather pattern. The fall is likely a better bet, but there are no guarantees. Jamie’s book will also have some good information on this.
All the best, Scott.
Hi Cas
buggsleg — Mon, 03/03/2008 - 20:11Thank you Cas - I will keep reading. We are also struggling with when to go. I would prefer warmer weather (a Spring trek) but I also would like clear skies (I understand the views are clearer in the Fall). Any ideas?
Thanks again
Lynn
You Go Girl...All the Best SB2
Visitor — Wed, 03/12/2008 - 02:10What an exciting opportunity for you Susan....all the best every bit of the way !! I am thinking about you, wish I could be there with you...I am very excited about reading all about your adventures.....can't wait to see all your pics when you get home !!
Janicke