Everest Expedition 4 23/4 March - 14 April 2017 DBGS 4 th Everest Expedition This presentation will give you some information about the Everest Base Camp Expedition. If you would like to know more you are welcome to talk to Mr Hardcastle or other staff/students who have completed the trek. If you are interested in participating, please get an application form from Mrs Novie. Once application forms have been submitted, you and your parents will be invited into school for an information evening to help you prepare for the trip. It is an exciting, challenging, life-changing adventure.
Everest Expedition Years 8 13 If you are studying for IGCSE or AS/A Levels the trip is still possible as long as you plan your time well. There is plenty of time on most trip days to get in 4 or more hours of study. I never let school get in the way of my education Mark Twain
4 th DBGS Everest Expedition This will be our 4 th Everest Expedition since 2008. The expeditions have been successful because of the team we put in place to manage student safety. Nick Hardcastle has travelled extensively in the Himalayas and led 30 overseas student adventures. Dr Muir DeWet is a high altitude medicine specialist and medical doctor We work with a team of experienced guides and porters that we know well. We have worked with Dambar Magar every year since 2007. In Kathmandu we have an experienced support crew that have the necessary contacts and experience to troubleshoot logistics and other problems.
Why EBC EBC is considered one of the best treks in the world Amazing scenery Tough, challenging, long but do-able if you are fit and determined It is one of the big ticks For most people, it is a once in a lifetime experience Do this at 14? imagine what you can do next
Could I do it? Are you up for a challenge? How fit do I need to be? Am I resilient enough? Am I tough enough to keep going when the going gets tough? Can I support my team? Can I manage my fitness routine to prepare? Can I balance my study needs? Fitness tests students have to prove that they are fit enough to be part of the team.
The Itinerary Kathmandu
Kathmandu 23 or 24 March flight to Kathmandu. Stay in Lazimpat Hotel Tibet Possibly three nights in Kathmandu preparing, briefing, gear check, shopping, good food, visiting important sights like Bhaktapur, Thamel, Patan etc. Acquire permits. Some flexibility to the schedule as it depends on when we are able to get flights from Kathmandu to Lukla
We work with Yankila Sherpa of Snowleopard Trek, former Minister of Tourism and a founding member of Tea-Help, an NGO that works to promote sustainable development and equal opportunities in Nepal. She has a strong team of experienced men that lead treks and perform aid work in remote areas of Nepal.
Gear check and shopping Kathmandu is an exciting, diverse and busy city. It is a great place to explore, first with a guide and then in small groups. It is busy, but safe and friendly. You will build confidence and start to learn more independence. The food in Kathmandu is varied and generally very good. We try and visit some of the best cafes and restaurants whilst we are there. There are good gear shops in Kathmandu so if you need to get something at the last minute it is possible.
What gear do I need? Once you are signed up for the trek we will issue a comprehensive packing list to that you can start getting everything together. Basically you need the right trekking gear to make sure that you are war and safe in the mountains. The temperatures can vary from about +25 to -15 Celsius, it can be calm or very windy, fine or snowing. You have to be prepared. Trekking clothes and kit It s best to buy good brands such as North Face, Lowe, Mountain Hardware etc. We manage temperature by layering. Good quality base layers that wick away sweat and dry quickly are great. Some are fairly cheap and fine. Others, the best are made of Merino wool, they don t smell when you have worn them for a week. Wicking T-shirts, fleeces, soft shells Waterproof jacket ideally Gortex or Event Waterproof trousers cheap ones. Down jacket can be ordered for collection in Kathmandu about US$50 Good sleeping bag 4 season can be hired if necessary in Kathmandu Day pack not a school bag has to be comfortable to carry Duffle bag not a suitcase as this has to be carried by the porter. Windproof hat Windproof gloves Good walking socks not cotton. Camera you can t take your mobile phone Buff or scarf Suncream Lip salve Plastic bags to waterproof your gear Travel towel or sarong Good walking boots emphasis on good here. Headtorch Wet wipes Lots of advice on the right gear can be given or we can point you in the right direction once you have been accepted on the trip. It may be possible to pick up gear or borrow gear used by other students on previous trips.
27 March - Fly to Lukla Getting on a flight to Lukla is a bit of a challenge. The planes are small and they can only fly when the weather is good. Delays are possible. We ask for an additional reserve of US$500 in case we need to take a helicopter either to or back from Lukla. So far we have never had to spend it and have refunded it. Lukla is the small town from where we begin trekking.
Trekking with your stuff You need two bags A backpack for carrying whilst you are trekking this is light and small. A backpack or kitbag for the rest of your gear - to be carried by the porter or zopkyo this can weigh a maximum of 15 kg.
Things you will carry every day Waterproof jacket and trousers (& gaiters if you like them) Fleeces Gloves, Hat Sun cream, sunglasses A 1 liter water bottle Camera,Torch Anti-bacterial wipes Trekking poles if you want them
Everything else - with the porter Your spare clothes Wash kit - take wipes too Down jacket and sleeping bag (provided) Book, notebook or diary, pens Spare batteries, chargers, small first aid kit Other items on the packing list Don t pack extra gear.
Lukla Meet the porters First view of the mountains Walk PAST the shops 2800m Trek for about 3 hours - downhill!
Phakding Stay at Phakding lodge Accommodation style we stay in Tea Houses basic hotels. Shared rooms Even some heating - sometimes
Food Our own cook Vegetarian Special requirements Snacks can be bought locally Water - iodine, tablets or boiled, steripen Prices rise with altitude!
Acclimatisation Days Phakding - Namche Bazar The tough part about climbing big mountains is adjusting to the altitude Our ascent to Base Camp is slow and steady, with enough days built in to allow proper acclimatization We have added an extra acclimatization day on this year s trip so as many people as possible can complete the ascent to Base Camp
Namche Bazar 3440m Internet café Acclimatisation walk Shops Gompa Time for study it is possible to study almost every day on this trip, but rest days such as those at Namche Bazar, allow for a good deal of study time if you are preparing for GCSE or A Levels
Temperature Temperatures between -10 and +25 Celsius depending on altitude and weather. It could be colder or hotter It should be dry But it could snow
Tengboche 3837m Largest gompa in Nepal
The trek continues Each day we continue to climb steadily to Lobuche at 4930m Climb a 5000+ peak
Health & Safety Issues How risky is it? Altitude sickness Medical supplies/evacuation Dr Muir DeWet Medical cover Our team has a very good knowledge of the risks of being in the high mountains and we monitor students and adults very carefully. We carry a huge first aid kit and a large number of medicines. Dr Muir DeWet is a GP and altitude specialist, trained in mountain medicine. We are trained in rescue procedures and know how to look after people on the mountain and effect an evacuation if necessary.
To Gorak Shep After acclimatising once more we head up to Gorak Shep From there we climb Kala Pattar 5545m and visit Everest Base Camp
The return journey From EBC we begin the several day trek back to Lukla We usually split into two groups, allowing the strongest students to explore the Gokyo Valley. After reaching EBC there is an option for a group of students to complete their Duke of Edinburgh s International Award Silver or Gold Expedition Fly back to Kathmandu
Kathmandu Spare days will be spent in Kathmandu Important cultural and historical sites Shopping Eating More shopping Yet more shopping
How much? SR14,500 includes all transportation, visas, food and drinks, porters, accommodation, Additional costs clothing and boots, insurance, spending money, tips for the Nepalese team Helicopter fund we ask for a US$500 deposit to cover helicopter flights if they have to be used due to bad weather in Kathmandu or Lukla refundable if not needed.
Payments SR2000 SR3000 October 20 Deposit 29 September SR3000 November 15 SR3000 January 31 SR3500 February 28 US$500 March 16 Helicopter reserve fund hopefully will be refunded completely. We haven t had to spend it yet! The only reason we ask for it is because if we are unable to get on a flight to or from Kathmandu, we would have to change our trekking plans or return several days later.
Application forms Available from Novie from break today.