With flights booked planning begins to take shape. With 9 months to go we have plenty of time to prepare ourselves both physically and in terms of schedule planning. As usual the internet provides us with plenty of information and advice.
The link provides an outline of the trip similar to the one we are planning (thanks Richard) but we will be bussing into Jiri and commencing our walk to assist with our acclimatization. This is considered the Everest expedition route and climbs in and out of numerous ridges and river valleys.
Duration: 7-9 days
Length: approx. 120 km
Max. Elevation: 3440m
Difficulty: hard
This gets us to Namche Bazaar our first rest and acclimatization day.
Just as a matter of interest if you calculate all the uphill climbing from Jiri to Everest Base Camp it comes to 10000m of elevation gain!
So for now training begins in earnest, the one thing we can do is build a solid base of fitness. This will be essential as we push our bodies to work at altitudes above 5300m, Each of the three passes, Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La will push us to that extreme. I remember Tim Macartney-Snape in his book "Everest From Sea To Summit" talking about being cautious and using good judgement to reduce the likelihood of an accident. Much of his focus was on his preparation and planning as the key to being able to achieve his goal. We can not afford to have any doubt about our fitness leading into the trek. I know for me, nursing my body through sprains and strains will be the biggest challenge. Already a slight calf strain has slowed me down (bloody body!)
As of today - 4/1/2014 there are 259 days until our departure, but who is counting?
So for now training begins in earnest, the one thing we can do is build a solid base of fitness. This will be essential as we push our bodies to work at altitudes above 5300m, Each of the three passes, Kongma La, Cho La and Renjo La will push us to that extreme. I remember Tim Macartney-Snape in his book "Everest From Sea To Summit" talking about being cautious and using good judgement to reduce the likelihood of an accident. Much of his focus was on his preparation and planning as the key to being able to achieve his goal. We can not afford to have any doubt about our fitness leading into the trek. I know for me, nursing my body through sprains and strains will be the biggest challenge. Already a slight calf strain has slowed me down (bloody body!)
As of today - 4/1/2014 there are 259 days until our departure, but who is counting?
