| Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth as | | | | dramatically decreases. At 20,000 feet there is only |
| measured by the height of its summit above sea | | | | half as much oxygen in the air as you are used to |
| level. The mountain, which is part of the Himalaya | | | | and by the summit oxygen is reduced to only a one |
| range in Asia is located on the border between Nepal | | | | third. |
| and Tibet, China. There had been 3,050 ascents to | | | | There are two times of year when conditions are |
| the summit by 2,062 individuals. | | | | most favourable for a trek to Everest Base Camp, |
| Climbers range from experienced mountaineers to | | | | either in the pre-monsoon springtime or the post |
| relative novices who count on their paid guides to | | | | monsoon autumn. Although, it is possible to join |
| get them to the top. This means climbers are a | | | | Treks that run almost all year round. |
| significant source of tourist revenue for Nepal. | | | | The main problem experienced on Everest is altitude |
| There are great trekking tours available which is | | | | Sickness, this is definitely something to take seriously |
| available to anyone who can walk for a few hours | | | | and to take precautions against. There is no way of |
| per day. These tours start in Nepal in Kathmandu and | | | | telling how it will affect you until you are at high |
| are very popular. | | | | altitude. |
| Mt Everest has an undeniable ability to seduce | | | | The easiest and most effective way to limit the |
| Explorers, Travellers and Climbers alike. With its | | | | effects of altitude sickness is by ascending the |
| breathtaking views and fascinating Sherpa people | | | | mountain slowly and giving your body time to |
| there is something for everyone to guarantee the | | | | acclimatise to the height. Above 10,000 feet (Base |
| experience of a lifetime. | | | | camp is at 17,500) you should aim not climb more |
| Mt. Everest, so called after the first person to record | | | | than 1000 feet per day. |
| its height, Sir George Everest, translates in Nepalese | | | | You also need to stay warm and conserve as much |
| and Tibetan as Goddess in the Sky and Mother | | | | energy as possible, drink water and above all listen to |
| Goddess of the Universe, demonstrating the | | | | what your body is telling you, if you don not feel |
| immense respect and reverence that the locals have | | | | right don not push yourself to hard because you may |
| for this awesome mountain. It is 29,029 feet high but | | | | push yourself out of the trek altogether. |
| it rises a few centimetres each year due to the huge | | | | Make sure you pick the right trip for you, make sure |
| geological forces acting on it. | | | | you give yourself time to acclimatise to the altitude |
| The weather you will experience on Everest is | | | | even if that means flying out a few days before |
| extreme and rather unpredictable so it is best to be | | | | your trek starts. |
| prepared for all eventualities. Spring is the high season | | | | The Sherpa people are invaluable in making any |
| for trekking, but warmer weather can mean there is | | | | expedition to Everest whether it be to Base camp or |
| a larger cloud cover, which obscures many of the | | | | even Summit. They will carry your gear, food, tents |
| fantastic views that are part of this once in a lifetime | | | | and it is important that they are respected. They |
| trek. For those willing to brave the colder | | | | take great pride in their Mountain Climbing Heritage |
| temperatures of autumn and winter this is not such a | | | | and without them you will not finish the trek |
| problem. | | | | Wether you join a trekking tour or climb all the way |
| A large problem on Everest is that as you reach | | | | to the top, it will be an experience to treasure for a |
| higher altitudes the oxygen content of the air | | | | long time! |
