FAQ's
FAQ
Should I tip the staff?
Lodging in hotels before and after the trip and at tea houses is typically dual occupancy. Private rooms are available for a small fee. For climbs, each member will have their own three person tent at base camp. Above base camp, members will share tents (typically two climbers in a three person tent).
Full-coverage insurance is essential, because it not only covers mountain climbing, but also travel to and from the mountain. This could cover you for lost bags, a car accident on the way to the airport, etcetera. BEFORE PURCHASING, BE SURE TO REQUEST A COPY OF THE POLICY AND BE SURE TO READ AND UNDERSTAND IT.
Please enclose proof of insurance with your final team-membership payment. If you are one of the unfortunates who come from a country where such insurance is not available, we will accept an authorization letter and your credit card. You must be covered for travel, full domestic rescue, helicopter (where available) and international rescue and repatriation expenses. NO CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZATION = NO EXPEDITION MEMBERSHIP.
Most of our members are now using a company called Global Rescue, https://ss.globalrescue.com/partner/summitclimb which offers "rescue-only" as well as a standard travel policy, such as InsureMyTrip.com , CSAtravelprotection.com , or TravelInsuranceDirect.com.au .
Here are some other options our members have used successfully:
https://www.ingleinternational.com/ (with "sports rider" coverage)
(Get the "Adventurer Plus Pak". This Pak is required to receive medical and evacuation coverage for mountaineering and a rental allowance in the event your gear is lost. To receive this benefit, your policy and Pak must be purchased within 21 days of initial trip deposit.
http://www.snowcard.co.uk/ Mountaineering up to 5000m covered on Extreme Adventure package and up to 7000m guided only on Pro adventure Package. Insurance policies available from this website can only be used by uk & channel islands residents
http://www.hccmis.com/ (with sports rider added on)
http://www.dogtag.co.uk or https://www.dogtag.com/ (outside of the UK)
What is the difference between a base camp trek and a service trek?
Even the most fitpeople on earth will get sick if they climb too high too quickly.
In order to climb at extremely high elevations without suffering from altitude illnesses, it is crucial to follow an intelligent (slow) acclimatization schedule. Accessing these mountains and acclimatizing properly a long process. However, those wishing to shorten a trip by a few days can consider using a helicopter on parts of the approach or descent for many of our climbs.
How are 8000m peaks different than other climbs?
Climbing Mount Everest takes 60 days. Here is details
Arriving in Kathmandu- The trip begins in the ancient and colorful city of Kathmandu, and the staff will personally meet your flight at Tribhuvan airport. You stay in a comfortable, simple, clean hotel, and sample some of the tasty Nepalese, Tibetan and Western-Style cuisine, at minimal expense. During our free day in Kathmandu, we shall finalize arrangements, and take some time out for trinket hunting, with planned visits to explore the 17th century splendors of the Monkey Temple, the Durbar Square and old Kings Palace, as well as the ancient city of Patan
Trekking to Basecamp - Early the following morning we fly to Lukla at 2,850 metres/9,400 feet., where we meet our yak drivers, and porters. If there is time, we will trek to Monjo (2,650 metres/8,700 feet), and spend the night. For our full-service members, the cost of this expedition includes one of the most beautiful treks in the world.
We will continue our trek up to Namche Bazaar (3,450 metres/11,300 feet), the capital of the Sherpa Kingdom. Here we rest for a day to acclimate, then proceed up to Deboche (3,750 metres/12,300 feet) for a night, then to Lobuche (4,950 metres/16,200 feet), where we have another acclimatization day. Finally, we make the last trek to basecamp at 5,300 metres/17,400 feet.
Climbing Everest- After resting, organizing, and training in basecamp for a day, we will begin our climb. We start with a day hike through the awe inspiring Khumbu Icefall, followed by a trip to the plateau of the Western Cwm, for our first glimpse of Camp 1, at 5,800 metres/19,000 feet. We return to basecamp for a tasty dinner, prepared by our skilled cooks.
High Camps- Through the following weeks, we will climb up and down the mountain, exploring the route, establishing camps, and carefully and safely building our acclimatization level.
From camp 1 at 6,000 metres/19,700 feet, the route traverses the flattish bottom of the Western Cwm, to 6,200 metres/20,300 feet where camp 2 is located.
Camp 3 is on the head wall of the Lhotse face at about 7,200 metres/23,600 feet. To reach camp 3, we must negotiate the Lhotse Face. The Lhotse face is a steep, shiny icy wall. The face itself is not extremely technical, but is arduous considering the altitude increase. It gets less difficult as acclimation continues through the weeks going up and down between camps.
The South Col, camp 4, is the highest camp and at 8,000 metres/26,200 feet, it is a windy and cold place. We take our time, climbing up and down to acclimate, which gives us the best chance to ascend in safety and maximize our opportunity to reach the summit during the "weather windows" which generally open in May. There are typically snow on the ledges to walk down on, interspersed with rock, along with some fixed rope. There’s a little short slope on reliable snow which leads to the top of the Geneva Spur. The route turns hard to the left onto the snowfield that leads to the top of the Yellow Bands.
Summit Day - The route to the summit winds through snow ice and rock fields, at a 10 to 50 degree angle. These slopes are not considered technical, but there is exposed rock here in the spring, and lines are often fixed. Fixed rope is often placed on the small vertical pitch of the 12 metre/40 foot, high Hillary step, and the summit lies directly above. The summit sits at the top of the world.
Truly the most classic route on the world's most classic mountain.
Going Home - After packing up all of your equipment, supplies, and rubbish, you will make the return trek to Lukla. The following morning, you are up early, and fly back to Kathmandu, where you can enjoy a hot shower and a grand Nepalese western-style feast. In Kathmandu, you can have a day to relax, celebrate, tour the valley, write postcards, and do a bit more shopping, before heading home.