MitzEclipse

Hi all

I'm going to Mt. Everest base camp on the Tibet side in late August We're taking the 60 hour train from Beijing to Lahasa. I'm wondering what specialist gear I would need to bring? Would I need to consider bringing oxygen?

clacko

sherpa......

gfunkdave

Uh...don't you think you should ask someone who is qualified to answer and not random people on an internet message board?

vasantn

I'm pretty sure you can go to the base camp on the Tibet side only as part of a travel package. Didn't the travel arranger give you any information?

LondonElite

Try MountainTalk, not FlyerTalk.

I'm a bit surprised that someone who is going to Everest Base Camp would ask such a basic question. Are you intending to climb the mountain?

Ocn Vw 1K

Please follow as the thread moves to the Travel->Asia forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

CPRich

http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/o...t-everest2.htm

I seriously hope you're getting real information from somewhere else.

beardedgeologist

Hi - I am sorry that you received so many sarcastic comments above.

A question about Everest Base Camp is reasonable to ask in this forum - I suspect that the sarcastic comments above are from people who confuse Everest Base Camp with Everest Camp 1.

The main seaons for treks to EBC are October to December. August is a reasonable time to go, although it depends on the monsoon.

IIRC, there is road access the base camp on the Tibetan side, and most likely booking a tour from Lhasa will be most practical way to go.

Gearwise, it's at 5545m, so a 4 season bag would be required, and good hiking gear (like you'd use in the Rockies or Alps in the spring/autumn). You won't need the full winter gear or climbing equipment unless you're ascending above base camp.

I am not sure why someone mentioned sherpas. They are mosly associated with the Nepali side.

DownTheRappitHole

Yes, a road was built to the basecamp for the 2008 Olympics torch. Warm jacket, boots, sleeping bag.

Wouldn't necessarily suggest the Nepali side in August.

MitzEclipse

Thank you for the response. I have indeed rec some recommendations from the tour agent but wanted to get some responses from FTers. Since we're going to just base camp and not camping or sleeping there we weren't planning on bringing loads of gear. Just wanted to see if there were any recommendations from experience. Thanks all

wandering_fred

Visited Oct 2003.

Altitude sickness pills were readily available in Tibet. Chinese herbal medicine original source but they seems to work. As well oxygen bottles were available for purchase. For those interested, camping at EBC was in huge tents complete with cots and blankets etc. We stayed at the hostel opposite the monastery. Definitely cold but it worked out with two (supplied) duvet.

Everything was booked / arranged by organization in Lhasa when we got there. Six days Lhasa to Nepal border via many monasteries in a 4wd for 5 - three of us and an additional couple.

Lhasa was booked in Golmud - overnight bus and 3 nights backpackers hotel - which we upgraded to rooms.

Enjoy your wandering

Fred

jiejie

Please take note that since 2008, things have changed if you wish to travel anywhere in Tibet, not just EBC. You CANNOT make arrangements once you arrive in Lhasa. Foreigners are now required to make complete itinerary prearrangements for vehicle, driver (or driver/guide), and receive a Tibet Travel Permit as part of the package, before you come to Tibet. This can be customized according to your needs/time requirements, but once set, you will not be able to deviate from this itinerary. Accommodations and food can be part of the package or can be done separately (although for EBC due to limited options, should be part of the advance package). You can make arrangements from your home country or you can get to China and make them from there--Chengdu is the most popular place for this. You may not travel independently in Tibet and you may not take public transportation. If you come to China and make arrangements, allow 4-5 days for everything to be processed. Costs are very expensive, and many solo and couple travelers look for other people to split the cost and share a single vehicle. Make sure you want to go very badly to Everest before making the decision to go via Tibet.

Tibet is currently closed to foreigners (it's a "sensitive" political time) and no Tibet Travel Permits are being issued. Rumor is that things will reopen July 25, but no guarantees. Some tour companies are a little leery about making arrangements for very early in August, this is something that should be discussed.

It is also possible to make arrangements in and access Tibet from Nepal/Kathmandu, but same prearrangement requirements and restrictions apply. In addition, for Nepal->Tibet whether overland or by flight, a standard Chinese visa obtained elsewhere will not be viable, and if you have one already, it will be cancelled. A special "group" Chinese visa will be issued for a limited time only (a group can equal one person).

mercflight

We did a two week August trek on the Nepal side a couple of years ago, starting in Lukla, and it was cold, cold, cold. Once you are up to a certain altitude temperatures drop badly at night, and we were sleeping in tents. Living in Miami didn't exactly help me but even our sherpas were freezing. Make sure to bring good gear and you will have an incredible time. We'll go back, just need to find the time ....