Mount Everest Vacations, Nepal

The Everest region is officially called Khumbu and includes the Sagarmatha National Park (above Monju) and the Sagarmatha National Park Buffer Zone (between Lukla and Monju).

Famous for its spectacular mountain peaks and the loyalty and friendliness of its inhabitants (the Sherpas), the Everest region (Khumbu) is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in Nepal. While many of the routes through the mountains are arduous, there are ample places to rest and enjoy a meal along the way. Furthermore, don't worry about getting lost. Just ask a local the way to the next village on your route, and they will direct you. Most Sherpas under the age of fifty can at least understand basic English, and many speak it fluently.

While trekking is possible in this area the whole year round, the best times to visit are from the beginning of March to mid May and from the beginning of September to mid November. The winters are very cold and snow may make it difficult to travel higher than Tengboche, and also lodges may be closed above this altitude. Summers, on the other hand, are wet, and the spectacular peaks often lost in the clouds. April and early May is a good time to see the hedgerows and trees bursting into bloom, with Rhododendrons, in particular, adding a spectacular splash of color to the landscape. However, dust from the plains of India during the spring routinely provide less than ideal conditions for clear mountain views. The views are much better after the summer monsoons have cleared the atmosphere of dust, but the days are shorter and cooler.

Khumbu is one of the few areas in Nepal still unscathed by the Maoist insurgence and is considered a safe region for tourists.

Trekking permits are not required for the Khumbu region.

Lodges and restaurants in Khumbu only accept Nepalese rupees. Budget between 600-800rs per person per day for food and accommodation - prices rise with the altitude, though you may spend more in Namche because there is more on offer.

More information on Mount Everest Travel at Wikitravel.org.

You To Can Ski Down Mount Everest

Author: Robin Shortt

Getting to the summit is optional, getting down is mandatory.

- David Breashears-

Extreme Skier Maegan Carney:
Extreme skier Maegan Carney had made a bid to be the first woman, and second person to ski down the world's tallest mountain. Because of the high winds of Mount Everest at that time, Maegan Carney abandoned her first summit attempt. To find more information about Maegan's quest, go to the mountainzone.com website.

Preparation Is The Secret:
Before you climb a mountain, you need some major preparations: You definitely need to be physically and emotionally fit. You should have people in the group who know first aid and of coarse you have a first aid kit. Make sure you have a schedule set up, because of the dangers involved. The mountain you're climbing, how long it should take, how many and who are going, and where will you start your assention.

Bring a camera for breath taking views and to record your trip. A cell phone for emergencies and to call someone to share your excitement when you make it to the top. If you have the proper climbing gear with you, there's no worries about staying the night if you get lost. Also you know you'll get rescued by morning because the proper people have been notified.

Some Guidelines For Climbing:
It's not a good idea to be flown or driven to altitudes higher than 3000 metres. Begin your walk at below that. Once over the 3000 metre altitude, travel up in 300 metre increments each day, thats it, no more than that. Climb up high during the day and sleep at lower altitudes at night. If high altitude symptoms start to affect you, stop climbing higher. If symptoms worsen, go down right away. You will need to drink plenty of fluids, hiking dehydrates your body very fast when climbing at high altitudes and this increases as the temperature does.

Do the climb at a slow pace and you'll enjoy your climb more. Stay away from alcohol, tobacco and other vices that will play havoc with your body and mind at these high altitudes. A high-carbohydrate diet will really benefit you here. In the USA there are many resorts above the 3,000 metre level, meaning you will need to keep a watch out for mountain sickness.

Some Mount Everest Facts:
Historic Mountain Climbing Deaths:
George Mallory and Andrew Irvine on June 6 1924, made an attempt on the summit from which they never returned. An eyewitness claimed he saw the group reach the summit. A total of 808 climbers have reached and stood on the summit, 764 men and 44 women. There were 161 that died, 36 on the descent.

More About Mountain Climbing Deaths
In 1965, was the best year for climbing, nine climbers summitted and there were no deaths. In 1996, the worst single year for deaths, 15 climbers died.

About Mount Everest Itself:
The Highest Peak: At 29,035' (8850m), thats about five miles up, the highest summit in the world, and is close to the cruising altitude of a jet, or it is 23 times the height of the Empire State building. Above 26,000, the body gets a third of the oxygen available at sea level. Even after getting acclimated, the body starts to shut down, and if someone stays at that height long enough, they will die. A lot of the climbers use oxygen here for climbing and sleeping.

The weather on Everest allows for climbing only in May and October between winter snows (December-March) and summer monsoons (June-September). As you can tell, this article is just giving you the basics of what information you'll need to find your way to the top of the world's highest peaks. Amazon.com has a great source of books on this subject.

About the Author:

Val and Robin Shortt are experienced campers and
own three outdoor websites For more tips like these
and to registerfor their Free newsletter visit: Good Night Camping Equipment.