Everest: A Trekker's Guide

Radek Kucharski was born in Poland. After graduating in Geography he worked for a small GIS company for over 12 years, which he would periodically leave every few years for months-long trekking trips to Asia. He trekked in Nepal, Iran, Pakistan and India, getting to know the landscapes, the people, their cultures and himself. Now working as a guide, Radek lives in Warsaw and guides groups to India, Nepal and Scandinavia.

Contents

Map key
Overview map
Location of treks
Everest routes from Tibet (China)
Preface

Introduction

Visa arrangements
Getting there and travelling around
Kathmandu Valley
The Everest Region (Solukhumbu)
Trekking routes in Nepal
Accommodation and food
Drinking water
Trekking styles
Seasons and weather
Fitness, health and emergencies
Respect others on the trail
Hazards en route
Equipment
Trekking formalities
Communication
Budget
Minimum impact trekking
Cultural interaction
Using this guide


Trekking routes in Nepal


Trek 1 Jiri or Salleri/Phaplu to Chheplung and Lukla
Prologue Kathmandu to Jiri
Section 1 Jiri to Shivalaya
Section 2 Shivalaya to Junbesi
Section 3 Junbesi to Ringmu
Alternative start Salleri or Phaplu to Ringmu
Section 4 Ringmu to Surke
Section 5A Surke to Chheplung (for Namche Bazaar)
Section 5B Surke to Lukla

Trek 2 Lukla to Namche Bazaar
Prologue Flight from Kathmandu to Lukla
Section 1 Lukla to Phakding
Section 2 Phakding to Namche Bazaar

Trek 3 Namche Bazaar to Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Kala Patthar
Section 1A Namche to Sanasa via Tenzing Norgay Chorten and Khyangjuma
Section 1B Namche to Sanasa via Khumjung
Section 2A Sanasa to Pangboche via Tengboche and Deboche
Section 2B Sanasa to Pangboche via Mong La and Phortse
Section 3 Pangboche to Dingboche (or Pheriche)
Section 4 Dingboche (or Pheriche) to Lobuche
Section 5 Lobuche to Gorakshep
Section 6A Ascent of Kala Patthar (5645m/18,520ft)
Section 6B Hike to Everest Base Camp (5275m/17,306ft)

Trek 4 Namche Bazaar to Gokyo
Section 1A Namche to Sanasa via Tenzing Norgay Chorten and Khyangjuma
Section 1B Namche to Sanasa via Khumjung
Section 2 Sanasa to Phortse Thanga
Section 3 Phortse Thanga to Machhermo
Section 4 Machhermo to Gokyo

Trek 5 Three Passes Trek
Section 1 Namche to Sanasa
Section 2 Sanasa to Pangboche
Section 3 Pangboche to Dingboche
Section 4 Dingboche to Chukhung
Section 5 Chukhung to Lobuche via Kongma La
Section 6 Lobuche to Dzongla
Section 7 Dzongla to Gokyo via Cho La
Section 8 Gokyo to Namche Bazaar via Renjo La and Thame

Everest from Tibet

Introduction

Trek 6 Tingri to Rongbuk Everest Base Camp

Trek 7 Kharta to the Kangshung Face

Appendix A Summary of treks
Appendix B Selected trekking peaks in the Everest Region
Appendix C Index of place names
Appendix D Useful websites
Appendix E Selected lodges in the Everest Region
Appendix F Glossary