OK here we go

[Midlife Crazy Guy]

We are a couple looking to trek into EBC as part of our 20th anniversary. When is the best time of year to go on the trek??? We hear that spring is the high season , but the food and help are better in the fall.
Any direction would be great.

We are also of average physical fitness and will train hard for this trip. Just how hard is this trek?? Can an average person do it or is it for the elite??

Any good trekking companies that you might recommend?? We have spoken to a couple of them but how to know??

Thanks for your help

Midlife Crazy Guy

[Sharon]

Fall is high season with April being the next high season. Typically you get clearer skies in the fall. In the Spring clouds build around the peaks in the daytime.
I would use a guide from the link on the webpage here for a guide recommended by a trekker. With the large companies too little of the funds make their way down to the porters.
It is challenging and a good idea to train for the trip. Walking with a heavy pack will assist in preparing for altitude. Do you need to be able to run a marathon in under 4 hours before going? No but don't be a couch potato before you leave either. leave a bit of space in your itinerary in case you need the odd extra day for aclimatizing or trekking.

[yakshaver]

I trekked a number of times in the Himal, and I am your most average person (save from my extremely good looks...).

I would head Sharon's advice though. If you need to occupy two economy seats in the aeroplane, then's it's time to walk briskly up and down hills for a few months before attempting Nepal. Else, just be mentally prepared, and take it easy. Don't rush. I know it's a cliche to say this about Nepal, but it's so true. Your level of enjoyment dips proportionally to your speed on trek. Do shorter days than your average trekker and you'll love it. I know I should follow my own advice here...

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=yakshaver]I trekked a number of times in the Himal, and I am your most average person (save from my extremely good looks...).

I would head Sharon's advice though. If you need to occupy two economy seats in the aeroplane, then's it's time to walk briskly up and down hills for a few months before attempting Nepal. Else, just be mentally prepared, and take it easy. Don't rush. I know it's a cliche to say this about Nepal, but it's so true. Your level of enjoyment dips proportionally to your speed on trek. Do shorter days than your average trekker and you'll love it. I know I should

bla bla bla poo poo bla bla pooba bla me bla po poo know no blip bla poo poo bla bla eat stink bla poooba!!!!

[ian2u]

The EBC is not at all tough. If you can walk 15 to 20Km with up to 1,000m of ascents with a 5Kg to 10Kg rucksack and not want to resign from the human race at the end you will be fine. The only issues really are:

a. Altitude problems which have nothing to do with fitness, just take it slow and easy and check out High Altitude Medicine web site. Give your self sufficient spare days to acclimatise.
b. Long climbs. Usually more than you would be use to unless you live near mountains, but you just have to get into a nice slow steady plod which you can do all day.
c. Sickness. Just be cautious about what you eat and drink, particularly early on whilst your body is getting use to the shock of the climate / culture / food / time change etc
d. Colds. Which you will get, take lots of cold “cures” really just need paracetamol, vitamin C and plenty of fluid ie hot water. As soon as you feel a cold coming on hit it hard. Plenty of cotton handkerchiefs since you can wash them.

If you treat it as a relaxing holiday, which it is, and not some form of endurance test, which it isn’t, you will be fine.

There are plenty of diaries on the web of peoples experiences of EBC, climbing Trekking Peaks etc also most of the sites include equipment lists and comments etc. Just Google for them. Have a good time.

NB. It was the Yaks that complimented Yakshaver on his appearance.

[Unregistered]

bla bla grand poo poo ba ya a blow bla po poo bla bla be na in oh blip la poo ba!!!!!

[lenny]

I'm sure you've been sent many recommendations for guides, but i used Jagat Lama this year, who is on this sites recommended list. Apart from being an excellent Guide, english speaker etc etc, he also leaves if to us his client to recommend him. When we went in March, he had just come back with a Canadian trekker, if you would like to contact him for a first hand Canadian recommendation give him a shout, his name is Jocelyn, great guy, and i know he had a great time, lots of smiles! jocelynlegault@hotmail.com

If your going to EBC you'll need a guide, don't muck about, its hard work but amazing, altitude is a bitch and will take time to get used to.

Contact Jagat directly for trek info:l_jagat@hotmail.com
Canadian guy Jocelyn:jocelynlegault@hotmail.com
If you would like more info from me British guy, Lenny:allotment42@btconnect.com