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[Ron R.]

I'm going to do a walk from lukla to ebc toward the middle of April and if time permits over to island peak. The stores in Kathmandu carry fuel and freezed dried food. And will I need a guide to island peak, and what is the cost,do not want to be short.If anybody has a clue I sure would like to info.
Thanks Ron. ronqwest@hotmail.com

[yakshaver]

For Island Peak you need a certified climbing guide, and you need to pay proper permit fees specific for that trekking peak. Can't just roll up and climb it. It is also a bit more technically difficult, some crevasses I understand, than Mera Peak.
In other words you probably need to organise a little expedition, with guide, porter etc, with one of the more reputable agencies or guides in Kathmandu. They'll look after the permits etc.
Some people on this site have used some good guides and trekking companies we can recommend. If you send me a private message I can give you those names.
Of course, if you just want to do Lukla to EBC or Gokyo, there no such issue. You can do it with or without a guide/porter. I prefer to do it with a guide, even though I have been there 3 times...
You may consider Gokyo, then crossing Cho La, and going to EBC. Gokyo is a wonderful place, and exploring up the valley towards Cho Oyu upto and a bit beyond the 5th lake is fantastic. I would take a good guide for that endeavour.