Please click one of the links below to view that section of our introductory information or just scroll down (photo right by Dan Mazur: Members wave in the Western Cwm between camp 1 and camp 2).

• Programme description:
• Introduction
• Leader and staff
• National park
• Trek to basecamp
• Basecamp
• Training Days
  
• High camps
• Rest days
• Who is this trip for?

Everest Nepal Training Climb Programme Description:

• Introduction: Dan Mazur is leading a new 31 day long 7300 metre/24,000 foot high expedition to camp 3 on the Everest Nepal side this year. It’s going to be an excellent opportunity to see how you feel at high altitude on Everest in a short amount of time for a reduced cost.  Mount Everest  at 8848 metres / 29,035 feet is perhaps the most coveted mountain in the world. The south (Nepalese) side is the route first climbed by Tenzing and Hillary in 1953, and the dates we have chosen feature the best weather of the year. We teach you everything you need to know in special training sessions in base camp and the few days of climbing are mainly steep walking. The actual climbing on this fun trip could be best described as steep walking/climbing, with climbers attached to fixed ropes and the dates we have chosen run in conjunction with the exciting spring Everest climbing season. Climbing up to camp 3 could qualify you for climbing Everest.
• Climbing to camp 3 is an exciting challenge all on its own and could also qualify you for: Cho Oyu , Lhotse , Everest from Tibet or Everest from Nepal (photo above right by Bruce Manning: Team members crossing a ladder over a deep crevasse in the interesting Khumbu Icefall. Rope and ladders are expertly fixed and maintained through the maze of shifting glacial seracs).
• If you feel well enough on the April trip, you could join our Everest expedition "on the spot".
• Our proposed schedule allows for acclimatization, training, practice and rest. Our expedition is cautious and careful, with excellent leadership, organization, Sherpa climbers, cooks and waiters, tasty food, the best equipment, two full kitchens in basecamp plus advanced basecamp, 1000s of metres of fixed rope, rock ice and snow anchors, top-quality high altitude tents and high altitude stoves, expedition mix gas, and full safety equipment: medical oxygen, gamow bag, and extensive medical kit. You do not have to carry a heavy rucksack for any portion of the trip.
• This expedition maximizes experience gained over 11 prior Everest expeditions, years of accumulated wisdom of the high Himalaya, a strong record of reaching the top of 7000 metre/23,000 foot & 6000 metre/20,000 foot peaks: Mustagata , Aconcagua , Ama Dablam , Everest View Glacier School to Lobuche East , Baruntse , Mera Peak , Everest Camp 3 Training CLimbs and many other summits.  with a strong record of reaching the top of our world's highest peaks. In addition to more than 25 Himalayan expeditions we have an intimate knowledge of the Nepalese officials who regulate the permit system, liaison officers, sherpas, cooks, yak drivers, and hoteliers/restaurateurs.  back to top

• Leader and staff: In Kathmandu, during the trek, in basecamp, and on the climb, our experienced staff is with you all of the way. Our helpful climbing sherpas are some of the best. They are real high-altitude star-performers and very friendly. Our western leader is a highly experienced, friendly, and well-organized professional with multiple ascents of Everest. Skillful basecamp cooks prepare delicious, fresh, tasty food and hot drinks at least 3 times a day.
• On trek: Our western leader, together with friendly and helpful sherpas, cooks and local people leading yak caravans carry all of your personal equipment, group equipment, and set up camp each day, prepare and serve delicious meals, so you can relax and enjoy the trek. You do not need to carry a heavy rucksack during the trek (photo right by Bruce Manning: Our expedition features one of the most breathtaking treks in the world, included in the price).
• Our comfortable basecamp: Our cooks and waiters will serve you delicious meals in our heated dining tent.
• On the mountain: Our western leader and group sherpas will fix the route, set up the high camps and carry the group equipment, such as tents, stoves, etc. If you wish to help out, we welcome you to do so, otherwise just relax and focus on getting well acclimated and achieving your goals. You do not need to carry a heavy rucksack during the climb.

Andrew Brash climbing a steep Lhotse face ice-wall on the way to camp 3. Everest is behind him on the left (Christian Otto). Our awesome sherpas Thile and Tenji in between camp 1 and camp 2 (Samuli Mansikka).  The spectacular view from camp 3. (Sam Mansikka)

• Everest National Park: The park covers an area of 1148 square kilometres in the Khumbu region of Nepal. This includes Mt. Everest and several other well known peaks such as Lhotse, Pumori, Island Peak, and Ama Dablam. Mt. Everest and the surrounding area is a 'world biosphere reserve'. Since 1976 the park has served to safeguard unique cultural, physical and scientific values through sound conservation principles. Vegetation in the park varies from oak, pine and hemlock forests at lower altitudes to fir, juniper, birch and rhododendron woods at mid-elevations. Scrub and alpine plant communities with bare rock and glacier are found above the tree line. 22 species of rhododendron bloom during the spring (April and May) and much of the flora is colourful throughout the year. Wild animals most likely to be seen in the park are Himalayan tahr, goral, serow, musk deer, and well over 100 different bird species (photo right by Tunc Findik: Namche Bazaar at 3,440 metre/11,300 feet, the capital of the Sherpa people. See this unique village on our trek to and from basecamp).  back to top

• Trek to basecamp: This is one of the most beautiful treks in the world with ancient snow-free paths winding past green terraced villages, rushing streams crossed on swinging bridges and each night a comfortable 'teahouse' or a good tent pitched in a quiet pasture beneath the highest peaks in the world. Throughout the trek we eat delicious meals prepared by our skillful cooks. The trek will be moderately paced, allowing plenty of time for acclimatization, rest and site-seeing. Together we retrace the classic "Everest Approach March" made by Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. The trek winds through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on earth, where you can relax in exotic, friendly Sherpa villages. Our trusty yaks and porters carry all of your baggage, so you don't have to carry a heavy rucksack.
• Basecamp: Features your own private sleeping tent that will be all your own, not needing to be shared with anyone. We have comfortable, heated dining tents with tables and chairs where our cooks and waiters will serve you delicious meals. back to top
• Training days: After taking a rest day in  Everest basecamp we will begin several days of training before setting out for the high camps. Our training will consist of learning and practicing glacier rope techniques, ice-climbing, crevasse rescue and snow-camping. There will be ample opportunity for you to test out equipment, ask lots of questions and, most of all, have fun. We will also spend some time walking up to Mt. Pumori advanced basecamp during our training days to acquire safe and comfortable acclimatization to the rising altitude. 

• Climbing to the high camps:
• Above basecamp: Clip in to the fixed lines to head through the awe-inspiring Khumbu Icefall up to the plateau of the Western Cwm and camp 1, at 5800 metres/19,000 feet.
• From camp 1: The route traverses the flattish bottom of the Western Cwm, to 6200 metres/20,300 feet to camp 2 (photo right by Bruce Manning: Our team members starting their ascent of the Lhotse face);
• Camp 2: Located on a rocky moraine below the awe-inspiring west-face of Everest. In camp 2 our sherpa cook will prepare hot meals and drinks. 
• Camp 3: Located on a flat-ish section protected by solid ice walls at about 7300 metres/24,00 feet on the Lhotse face. To reach camp 3, we must negotiate the Lhotse Face. The Lhotse face is not very technical, in fact, after climbing the initial 38-65 degree 100 metre/300 foot high ramp, the average slope angle of the entire 'face' is around 30 degrees.

• Rest Days: During your rest days we encourage you to concentrate on recovering, eating and drinking, to read, relax, listen to music and stroll around visiting other teams. back to top

• Who is this trip for? (photo below right by Tunc Findik: The Lhotse face).
• We encourage men and women from around the world, of all ages to join us as an individual team member or with your own group, whether that is your spouse, partner, friends, sibling, clients, colleagues, etc. Most of our members join as individuals, our team dynamics work well, and we are able to build successful and safe groups that enjoy trekking, climbing, and traveling together.
• During the Everest camp 3 training climb expedition, we teach you all of the skills needed to ascend safely in special training sessions in basecamp and advanced basecamp. Our training covers glacier travel, ascending and descending ropes safely, etcetera. If you do not already know about mountaineering you are welcome to join us and see how you feel at 7000 metres/23,000 feet.
• If you decide you like it, we welcome you to join one of our 8000 metre climbs the next season, or if you are determined, you could try going for the summit of Everest and join our team on the spot.
• To participate in this expedition you must be a very fit and active winter-walker-climber in good health. Prior to joining, please see your doctor and obtain the necessary permission and advice. back to top

Please "click" one of the links on the column on the upper right of your screen under "Everest Training Climb" to learn more about our expedition.