Safety should always be your primary concern when planning any kind of mountain trek. It should be the number one element you consider when making any choice, whether you’re choosing a company for a far-flung expedition or climbing a mountain ten minutes from home. When you hear the word Everest, you might think of all the horror stories you’ve heard. The mountain itself is one of the world’s most dangerous. But is it safe to climb Everest Base Camp? Here’s everything you want to know…
Is it safe to climb Everest Base Camp?
While Everest is a dangerous mountain to climb, the trek to Everest Base Camp is generally very safe, if you go with a good team. When you hear about tragedies on Everest, they generally take place much, much further up the mountain.
That said, there is a level of risk on any mountain. Everest Base Camp is at higher altitude, so the regular risk of altitude sickness is there. But at Earth’s Edge, we send an international doctor on every single one of our expeditions. That means if you start to feel unwell (and tell the doctor immediately) then care is right at your fingertips.
How to find good porters
At Earth’s Edge, we pride ourselves on the relationships we’ve built with incredible teams around the world. Our local Nepalese porters and guides know every inch of this trek (and will amaze you with their speed and dexterity!) They know the area, and they know exactly what they’re doing. That’s hugely important when it comes to a safe trek.
As well as our doctor, we also send an international guide on every expedition. They’ll be there to help you at every step of the way.
What if I do get sick?
If you do start to feel the effects of the altitude, don’t panic. It can happen to anyone, no matter how fit or healthy you are. All you need to do is tell the doctor as soon as you start to feel unwell. Often, you just need to drink a load of water and take a painkiller. You might need to slow down a little, too. But again, don’t worry. The sooner you catch it, the sooner you get better.
What if I fall behind?
Like all of our expeditions, the trek to Everest Base Camp isn’t a race. There are no prizes for reaching camp first! In fact, the slower you take the hike, the better. Hiking slowly is one of the best ways to acclimatise to the altitude. Remember, we have a team of guides and porters who will walk at the pace you need to walk at. You will never be left behind.
What if I can’t make it to base camp?
The reality of trekking is that sometimes we don’t make it to our final destination. Sometimes in life, we simply can’t make the summit, whether it’s due to bad weather on Elbrus or a dicky tummy in Kilimanjaro. That’s life! If you don’t feel well or fit enough to make it to base camp, one of our porters will walk back with you.
If you want to read more about our expedition to Everest Base Camp, click here for loads more information.
