Nepal : Part 1 - Preparations for Everest Base Camp Trek

How the Plan Started?

The plan to go to Everest Base Camp (EBC) started in 2011 when I went to Annapurna Base Camp. My then-guide told me that going to EBC is easy. The trek is better than Annapurna Base Camp trek. He said that there are not much steps. The idea lingered in my mind. When Air Asia introduced flights to Kathmandu in 2012, I was more determined to go to EBC. In March 2013, I booked my flight to Kathmandu. The days were set - 14 September 2013 to 1 October 2013. 

Who I asked Along?

None of my friends who went to Annapurna Base Camp were interested in joining me due to the long hours of walk. So, I passed the word around, asking my friends but none showed more interest due to financial constraints and unable to commit too soon. Finally, I asked my sister. She gave me a solid 'Yes' answer after a week of contemplation. I tried to invite as many to reduce the cost for a group package, but there was no result. It's okay, I tell myself. It will just be me and my sister. 

Who I chose as my Trekking Agent?

I did a solid research on blogs and various trekking agency's websites. My initial plan was without an agent. With the blogs that I have read, I figured I could manage without an agent. But, as a backup plan, I still scout around for an agent. My top priority was a budget trip. I emailed 4 agents. I gave them my itinerary. I arranged my itinerary based on the various schedules I obtained from the Internet. I did my budget, and compared the agents' quotations against my budget. I did a lot of bargaining and lots of enquiries. Finally, I chose Nepal Environmental Treks & Expedition. The Managing Director, Mr Nava, was extremely patient in answering all my questions and I knew I made the right decision. My initial plan to go without an agent went down the drain because I was not confident enough to bring my sister. Two girls on a trek - I am not very sure about this. 

How did I Train Myself?

This year, I registered myself for the 21km run in the Standard Chartered Run 2013 which was scheduled in June. So, I ran every alternate days. I started running since end of 2012. I gradually increased my distance from 5km to 10km to 16km. I could not achieve 21km yet. Then, a week before the run, the run was postponed to September due to the haze. But I kept running and I swim once a week. In July, I found out I have scoliosis. My chiropractor told me that I should not run. I should swim instead. I stopped running. I swam 4 times a week (I would have said every weekday but I did not swim on Fridays due to my Power Plate exercise) in July, August and September (until the day before I left for Nepal). I swam 1 hour each time. And in 1 hour, I swam for 1km. When I am not able to swim, I ran but for 5km only. I did not know whether I had train myself sufficiently. I still had doubts in myself. Today, I can tell you, after completing my trek, I had trained myself sufficiently. The stamina is there but the strength is not good, however, better than on all treks I have gone on to. I know it takes a long time to strengthen my back and my legs.  

What are the Basic Necessities?

What I brought:

1) Fleece Jacket

2) Running leggings 

3) Sports bra 

4) Thermal pants, top and socks (all for sleeping)

5) Buff  

6) Shawl

7) Slippers (to walk around in the lodge)

8) Dry-fit pants and top 

9) Gloves 

10) Trekking Pants, Socks and Hiking Shoes

11) Electrical Items - Camera, Battery Charger and Power Bank (for phone)

12) Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer

13) Knee guard

14) Medicine supplies which must include Diamox (medicine to assist in acclimatisation)

15) Vaseline - to be applied everywhere (face, lips, hands, feet) to prevent your skin from getting dry

16) Sun block and cap

17) Flask that can store hot water

18) Headlamp (to go to toilet at night)

What additional items that my sister (she is thinner than me and she is afraid of the cold and hence she has additional clothings) brought which I did not have:

1) Mid-weight base layer 

2) Light-weight base layer

3) Handwarmers (sachets form)

4) Liner for gloves, sleeping bag and socks

5) Clothesline (really good to hang your stinky clothes in the room)

6) Bandanna 

Main Concern of Water

In a lot of blogs I read, one has to drink lots of water on the trek. Main reason is because we dehydrate more as we go on higher altitude. One has to drink at least 3 liters a day. I know that water is going to be costly during the trek. Budget trekkers take pipe water from the kitchen. These trekkers use iodine tablets to purify the water. But my sister was not keen on the idea of iodine tablets because of the chemical. She did some research and found a water purifying thing - Steripen. It emits UV rays in the water and kills the germs. So, she bought it for USD120. It is battery-operated and based on the cost-benefit analysis (I have to do this if I am investing in something not-so-cheap), the number of times we used did not cover the cost but of course, looking at the long-term usage, it can be used in the near future. 

Insurance
I was aware that I have to purchase insurance for this trip. But it did not occur to me that the insurance I have to purchase needs to specify - trekking activity. When I purchased my insurance for Annapurna Base Camp, we bought a normal travel insurance that is provided by most insurance companies. However, I did not realise of this requirement. It was a good thing I did not require the usage of insurance back then. I searched on the Internet looking for an insurance company that provides this coverage. I asked my friends. Finally, I found a post in a forum that recommended AIG Chartis Insurance. This is the ONLY insurance provider in Malaysia that covers trekking activity up to 6000m and provides for helicopter evacuation. The highest altitude I am getting to is 5545m which is Kala Patthar. I bought the basic coverage for RM73.

In June 2013, the news reported on a death of a Malaysian climber on the way to Everest Base Camp. I told my agent of my concerns and was very emotionally disturbed by it. The agent told me that it is very important that I purchase insurance to ensure one can be immediately evacuated if any emergency arises.

With the news of the trekker who died, I was very disturbed by it. I was emotionally and mentally affected. I wondered if this could be my last trek. I wondered if I will make it back. With all these doubts, I was still adamant to go. A friend told me - If you have to die, you can die in Malaysia too. I told myself - Listen to my body. If I cannot go higher, I will stop. I will not force myself. 

And with all that, I am ready for my trip to Nepal!