Punam Phuyal
South Everest base camp is 5364 m above sea level on the southern slope of Mount Everest in Nepal. It is the last destination of Everest base camp trek located on Khumbu glacier. We need 8 days to reach base camp from Lukla in the standard Itinerary. The distance from Lukla to Everest base camp is around 65 Kilometers/ 40 miles that covers stone stairs, forest, rocky trail, uphill and downhills. Mount Everest, bank of Dudhkoshi, Sagarmatha national park, Sherpa villages, and mesmerizing view of mountains of Mahalangur range are unique part of Everest base camp route.
Everest base camp trek or Everest heli tour are the two best options to reach south Everest base camp. The EBC trek is most popular trekking in the world which guides you to Mount Everest south base camp with in 8 days. The trekking starts from Lukla and reached the base camp on 8th day covering 65 Km from Lukla. It takes three more days to return Lukla from base camp. The trekkers who want to avoid Lukla flight can choose alternative route: Everest base camp trek without Lukla flight as well. Trekking to base camp by road is an adventurous journey that remains different until traveling to Lukla by road instead of flight.
Altitude sickness is one of the greatest challenges of south 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 Diamox tablet and walking slowly are the best ways to prevent altitude sickness.
South Everest Base Camp height is 5364 m above sea level.The rising elevation with day to day walk on Everest region is a challenging task. The trekkers feel uneasy sleeping at higher elevations due to headaches and cold nights.
Low temperature is another challenge of Everest base camp. Mount Everest base camp temperature always falls below -10℃ throughout the year. Spending overnight on such a low temperature is a difficult part of EBC trek.
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 group people due to the unavailability of single room. We would even have to spend the night in a tent if we don’t book the rooms earlier than trekking.
There are only five tea houses in Gorakshep, 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 tent, if we don’t book the trip on time, there will be less probability of getting room.
Spring and Autumn are the best seasons to reach Everest base camp. You can get pleasant weather and moderate temperature 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 EBC trek.
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.
The effect of global warming is visible in Everest Base Camp as well. The unpredictable weather, melting of snow, thinning of glacier, rise in temperature, prolonged monsoon and altered rainfall are major changes being observed in Everest region.
There is very low death recorded in Everest base Camp. The Everest base camp trekkers 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 on 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 about altitude sickness. If you are not feeling well then should take a rest at a lower altitude.
Walking to Everest base camp is moderately hard due to the long trekking duration. It takes around two hours to reach Everest base camp from Gorakshep. 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.
Yes, we can spend the night 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 mountains and Khumbu ice fall. Gorekshep is the accommodation site of Everest base camp where the trekkers spent night after returning from EBC.
We can get both networks (Ntc and N-cell) in Everest base camp. Also, we can get wi-fi of Everest link during spring season. The camps of Everest Expedition team are facilitated with wifi and it becomes an advantage for EBC trekkers aswell. Wi-fi is not available during autumn, winter and summer seasons. Trekkers can use mobile data, but it may not work all the time.
Conclusion: south Everest base camp
Everest south base camp is the starting point of Everest expedition and final destination of Everest base camp trek. The long trekking from Lukla to base camp creates a lifetime memory. Trekkers can explore UNESCO world heritage site: Sagarmatha national park, different monasteries, flora and fauna, Sherpa culture and Himalayan lifestyle until reaching south base camp of Mount Everest.
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