Everest Expedition From South Side Nepal

Overview

Why Climbs Everest? – “Because It’s there.” – George Mallory

The most daring choice among mountaineers is the Everest Expedition from the South Side, Nepal. The world’s highest mountain stands at an elevation of 8,848 meters above the sea level in the MahalangurHimal. Climbing Mount Everest offers the ultimate climbing adventure and unique experiences from the southeast ridge, Nepal. Mount Everest was first summited by two legendary mountaineers, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, and Sir Edmund Hillary via the Southside, Nepal on May 29, 1953. Since then, every year thousands of attempts have been made to climb to the summit. Standing at the top of the world is one of life’s great and incomparable achievements! Climb Mt. Everest as a team at your own pace and carefully! Real Sherpa Adventures heartily welcomes enthusiastic mountaineers to climb the highest mountain on Earth.

Is Prior Climbing Experience and Physical Fitness Required?

Having prior experience with rock and ice climbing, especially over 7000 meters of elevation and in top physical and mental strength is an essential factor for the Everest Expedition from South Side, Nepal. Nevertheless, while climbing over 8,848 meters, one will encounter various anticipated, and unanticipated obstacles such as rock fall, avalanches, high altitude sickness, sheer exhaustion, scarcity of oxygen, and dramatic change in weather conditions. A healthy cardiovascular system and good muscular strength are essential. Before climbing Everest, prepare yourself mentally for facing various unexpected or unknown difficulties. The oxygen level drops by 60-70 percent from sea level as you go over 7,000 to 8,000 meters of elevation.

How Do You Prepare to Climb Mount Everest?

For a successful Everest expedition from the South Side, Nepal, you need to train yourself for climbing at higher elevations, carrying loads and cylinders of oxygen on your back. The trails up to the summit of Mt. Everest at 8,848m has a steep ascent and specialized terrain. You need to know the techniques of using fixed ropes while ascending and descending in the Everest region. It will be an advantage if you have mountaineering skills and rescue techniques. You can start your practice by hiking while carrying a loaded pack.

The Climbing Route to the Summit of Mt. Everest!

The actual hiking trail up to the summit of Mt. Everest begins from the base camp. After flying to Lukla from Kathmandu, you follow the regular trekking route via Phakding, Namche, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and GorakShep to reach the Everest base camp at 5,365m. The trails up to the base camp pass through the ridge of the DudhKoshi River, over many suspension bridges, through dense forests filled with rhododendron, pine, juniper, several small, ancient villages such as Chaurikharka, Jorasle, Monjo, Pangboche, Pheriche, and others. You will walk uphill and down, along steep, flat, and moderate rocky terrains.  Throughout the trek up to base camp, you will enjoy the views of many snow-clad mountains, Himalayan landscapes, traditional village decorated with strings of prayer flags, sunrises, and sunsets. Adjusting to the altitude with a stay at Namche and Dingboche, you will reach Everest Base Camp at 5,365m/17,500ft. At EBC, we will spend 3 to 4 days to prepare for the Everest climb, which is necessary to acclimatize to the higher altitude. Within that period, we will hike up to Kala Patthar in the very early morning for a panoramic view of Mt. Everest and a beautiful sunrise view. From EBC, we will first move on to four different camps: Camp I, II, III, and IV situated in the Khumbu region. From the base camp, the route to the summit is divided into four separate sections which are listed below. For climbing each segment, our formula is a step, pause, breathe and repeat!

1. The Khumbu Icefall
2. The Western Cwm
3. The Lhotse Face
4. The Summit (Southeast Ridge)

The Khumbu Icefall:

Everest climbers usually spend a couple of weeks in the base camp for acclimatization. Meanwhile, our experienced and professional Sherpa team will set up ropes and aluminium ladders in the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. Lying at the head of the Khumbu glacier, the Khumbu Icefall at 5,486m is regarded as one of the most dangerous sections of the route due to the presence of seracs, crevasses, and shifting blocks of ice. The seracs found in the Icefall are massive towers of ice, which sometimes collapse suddenly. The movement of the Khumbu glacier opens large crevasses with little warning. Every day, great blocks of ice flip-flop down the glacier from time to time. In this section of the expedition, climbers usually begin their ascent before dawn. Crossing crevasses and lumps of ice, we reach Camp I at 6,065m/19,900ft which is situated above the Icefall on a flat area of snow. This camp offers you a breathtaking view of the Khumbu glacier.

The Western Cwm:

From Camp I, the route ascends towards the Western Cwm, which is a flat, gently rising glacial valley, and marked by huge lateral crevasses in the center. Crossing these large gaping crevasses stretching ladders are needed, or you can cross it via a small passageway known as the “Nuptse corner.” It is also known as the “Valley of Silence” as the area is windless making the environment unbearably hot for expeditions. Walking through this area is like entering into the hall of the mountain gods. As you progress further, you reach Camp II  at 6,500m/21,300ft. Camp II or the Advanced Base Camp lies at the base of the Mt. Lhotse wall. Sometimes, the weather is cloudy and windy at this camp. The climbers ascend the Lhotse face on fixed ropes up to Camp III from this camp. It takes about 2 to 3 hours to climb to Camp II from Camp I.

The Lhotse Face:

From the Advanced Base Camp or Camp II, the route ascends towards the Lhotse face using fixed ropes up to Camp III. At the base of the Lhotse, gusting winds, snow plumes, and the sight of the steep face looms above greeting you. Located adjacent to the Lhotse wall, the trail up to Camp III at 7,470m/24,500ft follows through the steep yellow bands (loose, down-sloping, and rotten limestone). Arriving at Camp III provides you a truly rugged, high mountain experience. You will then enjoy the breath-taking vistas of Nuptse Wall, Mt. Pumori, Mt. Lingtren, the west shoulder of Mt. Everest and many Himalayan giants. Beyond Camp III, some climbers may feel the need to use oxygen due to the higher altitude. As we climb further, the route takes us up the rocky Geneva Spur (an anvil shaped rib of black rock) to the east and the Yellow Band (a section of interlayered marble, phyllite). From here we will head along the home stretch to the high camp at the South Col.

The Summit (Southeast Ridge):

The South Col of the Summit is the last and the riskiest section of the Everest expedition. It is both physically and emotionally hard sections, but as a reward, you will reach the world’s highest point! The South Col leads to a flat ice platform known as the Balcony where we change our oxygen bottles and take rest for a while. The route then turns to a continued climb up the southeast ridge toward the summit, which passes across a series of imposing rocky steps. From the South Summit, the climbers follow the knife-edge southeast crest which is also known as the “Cornice Traverse.” The climbers then enter the Death Zone, Camp IV at 7,920m/26,000ft. This is the last camp of the expedition, just 450 meters from the summit. There are high chances of encountering violent winds. It is easy to reach the Everest’s summit at 8,848 meters from this point. Spending less than half an hour at the summit, climbers will descend to Camp IV before afternoon to escape the bad weather. The next day, we will descend directly from Camp IV to Camp II and then to the base camp.

Short Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu

Day 02: Kathmandu Sightseeing and Rest Day

Day 03 to 04: Everest Expedition Orientation and Document Preparation Day

Day 05: Fly to Lukla at 2,800m and Trek to Phakding at 2,652m

Flight Duration: 40 mins, Trek Duration: 3 to 4 hours.

Day 06: Trek to Namche Bazaar at 3,440m from Phakding

Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours.

Day 07: Altitude Acclimatization Day in Namche Bazaar

Day 08: Trek to Tengboche at 3,870m from Namche Bazaar

Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours.

Day 09: Trek to Dingboche at 4,360m from Tengboche

Trek Duration: 5 to 6 hours.

Day 10: Altitude Acclimatization Day in Dingboche

Day 11: Trek to Lobuche at 4,940m from Dingboche

Trek Duration:  5 to 6 hours.

Day 12: Trek to GorakShep at 5,180m and Hike to Everest Base Camp at 5,365m

Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours.

Day 13 – 16: Rest and Climbing Preparation at EBC

Day 17 – 55: Everest Expedition Period

Day 56 – 58: Cleaning up EBC and Retrace the climb to Lukla via Namche

Day 59: Fly to Kathmandu

Day 60-61: In Kathmandu

Day 62: Departure Day

Note: The given itinerary is just a standard guideline. The final itinerary may add or reduce days based upon your fitness level, time, budget, and any other preferences.

Expedition Highlights

• Climb the world’s highest mountain at 8,848m
• Walk along with professional, experienced, and local tour guides on the Khumbu glacier
• Climb up to higher camps: EBC, Camp I, II, III, and IV
• Mountainous flight to and from Lukla
• Hike up to Kala Patthar for the 360-degree view of Mt. Everest and sunrise
• Experience the Sherpa’s warm hospitality
• Witness the unique culture and traditions of the people in the Everest region
• Visit centuries-old monasteries such as Tengboche and local museums
• Encounter Himalayan wildlife
• Witness life in the Himalayan region
• Views of many mountains Pumori, Lhotse, Makalu, Nuptse, Thamserku, AmaDablam, and so on