compassguides.info - everest trek e-guide

The compassguides.info guide to... Trekking the Khumbu Himal (Everest region) of Nepal
Navigation Please use these links to access the section of the guide which interests you. Getting there Trekking seasons History / Contexts Sherpa Culture Climate change at the top of the world Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) Kathmandu Trekking from Jiri to Lukla Lukla Trekking from Lukla to Namche Namche Bazaar Trails from Namche Kunde / Khumjung The Nangpa Valley Classic Everest Base Camp trek Tengboche Pangboche Dingboche Pheriche The Gokyo Valley Machermo Gokyo Trekking the three passes Island Peak and Chhukhung Off the beaten track Namche to Thame and the Trashi Labtsa Pass The Rolwaling Valley Adventures in Makalu-Barun Climbing the peaks of the Khumbu Himal Equipment Health and Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS) Porter welfare Food and drink Lodges Camping Costs Maps Communications Useful links Recommended reading Everest Marathons Dangers and annoyances	Introduction It is probably the most famous few square miles of mountains in the world. Rising 8,848 metres (or some 28,000 feet or so) from the plains of India, Mount Everest is the world’s highest mountain. No wonder then that since the 1950 - when a Russian émigré called Boris Lissanovitch opened up the Royal Hotel and subsequently the whole of Nepal for tourists - first the mountaineers came on their reconnaissances and assaults, followed by millions of tourists. Above: A view of Mount Everest (left) and the Lhotse Massif - Picture © Jon Mitchell / Lightroom Photos Then the Sherpas of the Khumbu Himal were among some of the poorest people in the world. Many owned just one chuuba (a traditional Tibetan gown) and slept in it. Mostly living a pastoral existence, the Sherpas had very little in the way of material wealth. The mountaineers – most notably the late Sir Edmund Hillary - made the Khumbu Himal famous and in their wake came the trekkers. Nowadays, not all Sherpas are rich, though many families have done well from this varied bunch of people of many foreign lands who desire to behold the fabulous mountains, which surround their high mountain villages. From being a hamlet of several stone cottages, Namche Bazaar – the starting point for many a trek and climbing expedition – is now a curious mix of the rural and cosmopolitan with dozens of lodges and shops, a few cafes and bars and even several Internet cafes. Internet cafes sit side by side trains of Yaks being herded through the streets. Above: Mount Everest (centre) and Mount Nuptse photographed with long exposure star trails from Gorak Shep - Picture © Jon Mitchell / Lightroom Photos This e-guide contains most if not all the information you need for a trek and can be downloaded to an iPod or printed out. If you find it useful, please consider sending a donation via PayPal at an amout you see fit.
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