As someone doing homework on EBC your video offers great ideas & recommendations, is pragmatic and super practical. Thank you for those tips & tricks. After hiking TMB Alps 2023 this route involves some important differences.
I have been going to Nepal for 40 years already and the weather/rain/haziness situation has been getting worse all the time. Monsoon has been lingering much longer lately, 30 years ago it usually just turned off in late September and no rains after that at all. If one wants to make sure the weather is clear, go in mid November to mid December. Yes, colder, but clear, and less trekkers also.
I did the same trek and faced all the same situations as you did. We are so thankful to our local guide company, Alpine Ramble Treks, and our guide. They were extremely helpful throughout the trek. We are glad that we chose them; their services at the tea houses were amazing and different from those of other tour providers. Overall, this trek is amazing, and I agree with you; it is a trip of a lifetime.
@@MattShafter Sure, we're going back to Nepal for the Annapurna circuit in November with Alpine Ramble Treks. Are you open to joining? Feel free to join!
I agree: visit Sept-Nov rather than March-May due to air pollution. Air pollution is a serious issue here (I live in KTM and work on air pollution, nature based tourism, etc). One additional source of pollution comes from burning of agricultural fields in northern India each spring.
Loved the video. Brought back many great memories. We did the trip right after Nepal reopened from COVID. We thought the trip we had planned for over a year would be cancelled. Nepal reopened just a few days before our trek. Because of this, the tea houses were all essentially empty and the locals were very happy to see us. We got to base camp and were literally the only ones there! It was an amazing experience. In fact, I agree it beats most other treks (coming from someone who has done the Camino de Santiago, Patagonia O trek, the Inca trail,...all great in their own right, but not as breathtaking, pun intended, as EBC!). Thanks for letting us relive our experience.
Was in Nepal last year for a wedding and did my first trek ever to EBC after a week of partying. Did everything wrong, no training, over packed and started the trek with diarrhoea from the other bad food or water and at age 66. I did make it but only just. Would like to go back and do another trek there but prepare better this time.
Awesome video presentation plus gear comments, letting the scenery do the talking is refreshing. Did some of this region in 1989 (so little has changed overall), 100% agree on using Trekking Company. I did not and the logistics issues became the biggest obstacle to the trip plus it felt like I was always on the edge of failure, which happened too many times. Staying healthy (especially guts/lungs/hydration) was the biggest deal for myself and most other Trekkers I met regardless of experience/age/fitness. Dehydration at altitude is exponential and doesn't always trigger a thirst sensation. Looking forward to more content on this level. Cheers from the WA Cascades.
I did a combination of the Jomsom to Muktinath Trek and the Annapurna Circuit over 3 1/2 weeks. Starting and finishing out of Pokhara was great. I would still recommend that region even with increased visitors as you have noted. I was carrying 20# and thought I was being ultralight. At the old Annapurna base camp which was pretty spartan for accommodations (think blue tarps over low stacked rock walls) one could get dal baht and tea if lucky.
From the header, thought you were the first person in the world to trek all the way to the peak!!! Been there two times. Highly recommended. Can easily be done solo as long as one is physically able. logistics can be easily taken care of. One can take bus and walk to Lukla as well if one doesnt want to fly to Lukla..have done this in 2019. But yeah...always recommended to take a guide
Super interesting to see the Platypus filter. I always use a Sawyer Squeeze for backpacking and have wondered about this type of filter for EBC. I was kind of under the impression that one needed a filter that could handle virus level sizes?
I think you’re right. We were told fiber filters were ok, saw other people using them and had no problems but yeh, I just defaulted to my normal filtering. But this area IS the use case for a steripen. Hrmmmm I’ll change my lighterpack.
@@MattShafter Ha! I figured you’d say that and I believe that’s exactly what you predicted when you decided to make this move. Two audiences - gear and scenery - with likely some blended. Good for me because I like both - so do whatever you want to do and it’s fine by me!
Thank you for this video and this comprehensive list. I am not doing the EBC trek but I'm doing a part of the Annapurna Circuit. I have real questions about the shoes - my trekking company really recommends sturdy waterproof hiking boots and then I see so many RU-vidrs that recommend light trainers. I just tried to break in some new Goretex boots this weekend and my feet were destroyed so it's a bit of a process trying to figure this out. I'll be walking for over ten days at the end of October, beginning of November. Any thoughts out there would be appreciated!
About the trail footage: no video from "Kala Pattar" or Pumori ridge to be more exact. The South Col and Camp 4 can be seen from there. Did you not climb there?
Hey Matt, another great video....i really like your content!! I'm planning my 4th Trip to Nepal in about 6 weeks. I've been up to Base Camp on all my previous trips, including 3 High Passes on my last trip. I'm planning the 3 High Passes again and then into the Langtang region. Anyways, on this trip I'm moving away from a heavy boot (Asolo / Salomon) which I've used for past trips...I've just picked up some Topo Pursuits which feel great right out of the Box ( Bought from a reputable store and fitted by a Pro), but I'm still a little anxious / nervous about their durability for 3 months in Nepal. I checked your gear list for your trek and I noticed you took the Ultraventure WP Boot. I was seriously considering that Boot as well, but the guy in the store convinced me to move away from a Boot and stay with the Pursuit. Interested in your comments on the Pursuit for the Khumbu region / 3 Passes etc. Yes, I take mircospikes and also pack a pair of showers pass waterproof socks as a backup. On a previous trip I took both leather Boots and a pair of La Sportiva Ultra Raptors which I used mainly below Namche. In one of your previous Videos you mentioned that you prefer a thinner wool sock.....I use a sock liner and then a pair of Darn Tough hiking socks which seems to work well. I like having the ability to just rinse out the liners at the end of each day and use the thicker wool sock for days without having to wash etc. Sorry for the Novel :) - but just really wanting to know your thoughts on the Pursuit for these upcoming Treks - Cheers Steve (New Zealand).
Bro! It sounds like you are the one needing to make the Nepal videos! If you like the waterproof socks, then just go with Pursuits! I have them and love them. Also, remember those Sherpas that are doing all this in sandals and barefoot at times. Sounds like you have a good sock system too so no dramas there!
We did the same trek with Alpine Ramble Treks, and it was a life-changing experience; we are going back to Nepal for the Annapurna circuit trek at the end of this year again!
I was there in Nov/Dec 2023 and the air quality in Kathmandu was terrible. You couldn’t see more than a KM, brown haze. Clear in the mountains, but lots of smoke from yak dung at the higher elevations.
great video and great info! a couple of questions: when did you start/stop taking Diamox? did you use tap water (purifying/filtering it) or did you have it boiled at the tea houses?
Started the night before lukla. On water, we probably bought 80% of our water, but we mistakenly defaulted to our normal water filters. We had no issues, but next time ill bring a steripen.
You are braver than me. I fly small planes about 4 times per week and would never get on that plane. Deal breaker for me. Agree with The topo traverse and a pee bottle. They are my two favorite pieces of gear. Ps. I always “like” your vids. Excellent production and information.
It is also possible to drive to the road head and walk if you have bit more time, like one week more. I have walked the Jiri - Namche part 5 times so far, takes about 8 days. Now the road extends much closer, only 3-4 days from Namche. Not necessary to make a detour to Lukla.
Did it this year as well and honestly: I was happy to be back home... Don't get me wrong, it was an amazing experience for sure. But I personally do enjoy hiking and alpinism in the European alps (or the Sierra Nevada which I visited a few weeks ago) way more.
@@MattShafter Oh it’s a lot in the alps - have had a wonderful time no matter which part of them. :) You can’t go wrong with the Dolomites or the Stoneman Glaciara route in Switzerland. Also for a little bit more technical: Gran Paradiso is a great 4000m peak to do. In the Sierra Nevada I enjoyed Whitney via mountaineer’s route and back down along the switchbacks. Hiking Clouds Rest in Yosemite was also a great outing. :)
Absolutely brilliant video, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Great tips regarding gear. Just a question about the Trail runners - if you go up to EBC around April time, would you recommend taking boots for further up the Trail or could you use Trail runners all the way? Also,What are your thoughts on rental sleeping bags? Would you recommend purchasing these before hand or are the rental bags good enough quality. Great tip about the larger bag! Thank you
Take trail runners in addition to boots, yes! The rental gear didn’t look bad. I would go handle a -5 to -10C bag at a store and then get a comparable bag in Thamel.
I have visited upper Khumbu/EBC 5 times, thrice with joggers or trail runners. I have even climbed to Lho La 6000m behind EBC with joggers. I would never take boots up there anymore.
@@MattShafter Too bad I can not put a picture of two porters with loads crossing Lamjura La 3500m pass in snow, barefoot... In 2006 when crossing Thorong La pass on the Annapurna Circuit a father with about 9 year old daughter had climbed up from the Muktinath side (1600m climb) barefoot and were heading to Manang. Meaning that they were hiking 2-3 days worth of trekking trail over a 5400m pass in one day, without shoes. Just to put this shoe dilemma in perspective.
You made one major mistake: going up and down via Tengboche and not via Mong La - Phortse - Pangpoche High Scenic Trail. Look at the map at 9:26 . The Phortse high trail offers vastly more impressive views high across the valley, lots of wildlife and practically no other trekkers. Only come down via Tengboche. Guides are lazy and act like there was only one route available, also afraid to suggest anything out of the ordinary. Only a few innovative major trekking agencies, all western ones, offer the Phortse route to their clients and everybody loves it.
@@MattShafter I have been there 5 times since 1985, so there will be a next time for you also... I have walked the Phortse - Pangpoche high route 5 times since 1998, much better than the Tengboche low trail 98% of trekkers use.
@@cliffkemp4855 Well, I have no idea about your map reading abilities and how much trail experience you have. But for one thing the trails follow 3 km deep valleys, and it is impossible to hike without a trail. Just follow the strongest trail most of the time, that's all there is to it really. And signs. And the 300 other trekkers. Learn to read a map, PAPER map cheaply available in Kathmandu. And go up the Phortse route. By the way: rather get a porter-guide who also carries you pack. Actually slightly cheaper than a guide, as he is learning guiding and eager to please.
I went down the Everest rabbit hole a while back - could stop learning about all the gruesome deaths and horror stories and environmental disasters. Kind of sours my interest in ever going there.
Its easier to do it with a trekking company, but whether or not it is better is subjective. You can't really compare trekking with a guide and doing it entirely on your own. It is easy to organise yourself, but it involves taking a bit more responsibilty
One should also understand that you can basically have 2 different treks with a guide: 1) let him be the boss and decide everything. Some guides think this what they should to and actl like. 2) Making all important decision yourself and using the guide just as a fixer, helper, interpreter, even a porter (porter-guide). In this style trekking is easy, you retain all your independence, you decide the pace, route, where to stay overnight, choice of lodges etc. But you need not arrange transportation, fix delayed flights, can communicate better with locals etc.
@@karipintakivi9153 Ultimately it is a personal decision to go with a guide or not. For some people, they feel more comfortable having everything arranged (accommodation and transport etc). I am just saying that all of that is very straightforward anyway in the Khumbu. It is easy to get transport arranged, it is generally easy enough to get accommodation yourself. If you are worried about the next place, then get them to call ahead. The only places where there can be an issue would be Lobuche or Gorakshep. If you need your flight changed, many guesthouses will be able to organize this for you. Navigation on the EBC is really easy, download the google map and GPS will show you your location. If you do it yourself, you need to take full responsibility for acclimatization. This could mean making the call to go back down yourself and you probably need to ere on the side of caution here, more so than when you are on a guided trip. It is a completely different thing to do it on your own (without guide, porter or companions), but it is quite easy to organize and I would encourage people to try it if they are interested. It is like the difference between hiking part of a the Appalachian trail yourself or doing it in a guided trip with 6 other people, completely different.
@@karipintakivi9153 It is easy to arrange accommodation and transport yourself, the guesthouses can help with rescheduling flights etc. Navigation in the Khumbu is also easy with a download of the google map of the area and GPS. Of course doing it with a guide makes is easier still, but it is easy to do yourself and with a greater sense of achievement. I would encourage people to do it on their own if they are interested, of course if they prefer to do it guided that is good too
totally not about you personally. In 2024, I believe that going to or climbing mount everest is akin to traveling to North Korea. There is simply no pourose but morbid quriosity. Its disgusting puts everyones life in danger and supports a government that is corrupt. That one would wait in a line hundreds of people deep to do something special...how is it special. I think being in line at starbucks is nearly as bad (I make my own now) everything but walking is done for you. You wait for hours all the while dying inside for your turn after the other fools get off the spot. I can think of nothing less I'd like to do. almost garantee zero success or death. I love climbing to the top of a mountain...its perfect...with about three people. peace
Your video is the best review I have gone so far cause were planning to Visit Nepal and will include the Mt. Everest Base Camp on our roster of visit.. I hope you dont mind, Overall spending and budget, as in overall, I hope you dont mind me asking how much it all cost for 2 Persons? Thank You very mcu..
