Everest Base Camp

Everest base camp in Nepal is located at 5364 m above sea level on the southern slope of Mount Everest. It is the last destination of Everest base camp trek located on the Khumbu glacier. We need 8 for the trek to Everest Base camp from Lukla in the standard Itinerary. The distance from Lukla to Everest base camp is around 65 Kilometers/ 40 miles which covers stone stairs, forest, rocky trails, uphill and downhills. Mount Everest, the bank of Dudhkoshi, Sagarmatha National Park, Sherpa villages, and the mesmerizing view of the mountains of Mahalangur range are unique parts of the Everest base camp route. 

Highlights of Everest base camp

• The base camp of the Highest peak in the world
• Khumbu ice fall
• Khumbu glacier
• Moraines and Rocky's trial
• Mesmerizing view of Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Pumori, Thamserkhu

Challenges of Everest base camp

• Altitude sickness
• High elevation
• Low temperature
• Crowd in peak season
• Limited tea houses

Altitude sickness

Altitude sickness is one of the greatest challenges of Everest base camp. The high altitude, low atmospheric pressure, and coldest temperature are reasons behind altitude sickness. There are different preventive measures against altitude sickness. Drinking plenty of water, using a Diamox tablet, and walking slowly are the best ways to prevent altitude sickness.

High elevation: How high is Everest base camp?

The rising elevation with a day-to-day walk in the Everest region is a challenging task. Everest base camp is 5364 m above sea level. The trekkers feel uneasy sleeping at higher elevations due to headaches and cold nights. 

Low temperature

Low temperature is another challenge of the Everest base camp. Mount Everest base camp temperature always falls below -10℃ throughout the year. Spending overnight at such a low temperature is a difficult part of the EBC trek.

Crowd in peak season

Trekking routes remain crowded during peak season (spring and autumn). We should adjust with available rooms for accommodation. Sometimes, we may have to share the room with other groups of people due to the unavailability of a single room. We would even have to spend the night in a tent if we didn’t book the rooms earlier than trekking. We should stay in queue for taking photographs on Everest base camp during the peak season due to crowd.

Limited tea house

There are only five tea houses in Gorekshep, the resting zone below Everest base camp. The limited tea houses are challenges for getting the best room for accommodation. There will not be an option of a tent; if we don’t book the trip on time, there will be less probability of getting a room. 

Best time for Everest base camp

Spring and Autumn are the best seasons for trekking Everest base camp. You can get pleasant weather and moderate temperatures during these seasons. All tea houses remain open in the months of March, April, May (spring) and September, October, November (autumn). Spring and autumn are the peak season for the EBC trek.

Is climbing necessary for Everest base camp?

Climbing Everest base camp only includes trekking uphill and downhill rather than climbing snowy mountains. We can reach the base camp within 8 days by walking from Lukla which includes two extra days for acclimatization in Namche and Dingboche. 

Can we see Mount Everest from the south base camp?

Yes, we can see Mount Everest from the south base camp. Most of the trekkers climb Kalapathher for a greater view of Everest along with sunrise or sunset. We cannot get a clear view of Mount Everest from the base camp. Only a partial view of the summit of Mt Everest is visible from the base camp.

Effect of Global warming

The effect of global warming is visible in Everest base camp as well. The unpredictable weather, melting of snow, thinning of glaciers, rise in temperature, prolonged monsoon, and altered rainfall are major changes being observed in the Everest region. 

How many people die annually?

There is a very low rate of death in Everest base camp. The Everest base camp trekker's death rate is 0.03%. The record showed that around 2-3 trekkers have been found dead annually during the trek to Everest base camp. The primary cause of death in the Everest base camp trek is altitude sickness. The secondary cause may be a certain change in temperature and unhygienic feeding habits. Therefore, trekkers should be conscious of altitude sickness. If you are not feeling well then should take a rest at a lower altitude. 

How hard is it to walk to Everest base camp?

Walking to the Everest base camp is moderately hard due to the long trekking duration. It takes around two hours to reach Everest base camp from Gorekshep. We should walk through the moraines and rocky trail over Khumbu glacier to reach the base camp of Everest. Trekkers remain excited and enjoy the amazing beauty of snowcapped mountains from base camp.

How to reach Everest base camp?

We can reach Everest base camp both by trekking and Heli tour. Trekking to EBC is a long trek that requires a minimum of 12 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. Whereas the heli tour is the shortest medium to reach the base camp.

Can we spend overnight at Everest base camp?

Yes, we can spend overnight at Everest base camp, but it is allowed only for climbers and researchers. Normally, trekkers only visit Everest base camp to capture the moment and enjoy the beauty of the mountains and Khumbu ice fall. Gorekshep is the accommodation site of Everest base camp where the trekkers spend the night after returning from EBC.

Network and wifi in Everest base camp, Nepal

We can get both networks (Ntc and N-cell) in the Everest base camp. Also, we can get the wi-fi of Everest link during the spring season. Wi-fi is not available during the Autumn, winter, and summer seasons. Trekkers can use mobile data but it may not work all the time. 

Conclusion of Everest base camp

Everest base camp is the starting point of the Everest expedition and the final destination Everest base camp trek. The long trekking from Lukla to base camp creates a lifetime memory. Trekkers can explore UNESCO World Heritage sites: Sagarmatha National Park, different monasteries, flora and fauna, Sherpa culture, and Himalayan lifestyle until reaching the south base camp of Mount Everest.