If we lived in an ideal world, we’d probably all love the chance to unplug completely, especially on an expedition as special as the one to Everest Base Camp. But the reality is, when you’re faced with sights this breathtaking, you’re going to want to take pictures. That means you’re going to need to take your electronics to Everest Base Camp.
But how do you charge your phone when you’re hiking? How do you get WiFi? Well, it’s not as hard as you might think, whatever you decide to bring with you…
Can I take my phone to Everest Base Camp?
On our expedition, we stay in teahouses each night. At each of these places, you’ll be able to charge your electronic devices. The only drawbacks? There is a fee, which increases the higher up you go (though it’s not too much) and they can be in high demand. So there’s no guarantee you’ll get a plug when you need it.
Devices can also take longer to charge along the way, so be prepared for a lengthier wait than you’d get at home.
What about my DSLR camera?
Remember that cameras can act bananas in cold temperatures, and simply conk out when they’re chilly. Treat your camera like your feet – keep it bundled up and toasty when you’re not using it, and bring an extra camera battery, in case one suddenly dies during a killer shot. Your phone’s battery can drain suddenly in extreme cold too, so keep it as warm as you can – basically, when it comes to electronics on Everest, keep your devices as warm as possible!
What about other power sources?
Bringing along a fully juiced power bank is an excellent idea. Even the basic ones that start at the €20 mark will give two full charges. Invest in a decent one and you can get 6 – 8 charges out of it. Bear in mind that, like other batteries, they are easily drained in cold weather – keep it in your inside jacket pocket to keep it as warm as possible.
What about alternative chargers?
If you want to get really crazy, pick up a solar charger and try to harness those Nepalese rays. It’s worth investing a little more money in these to make sure they’ll work efficiently, and bear in mind there’s no guarantee that the sun will shine while you’re trekking, which will make you really resent carting it around on your pack.
More importantly – is there WiFi on the trek to Everest Base Camp?
Surprisingly, there is. It mightn’t be the quickest, but you’ll be able to check in briefly along the way, between restaurants and cafés. Remember, electronics on Everest aren’t quite as speedy as they are at home. You’ll probably be able to pop a quick post on Insta, but don’t expect the bandwidth to do much more, and certainly don’t rely on it for anything too big. Instead, post the shot, then put your phone away and live in the moment. Your experience will be all the better for it.
How to trek to Everest Base Camp
Find out more about our expedition to Everest Base Camp here.
