Treknomads

9 Steps to Going Plastic Free in the Mountains

TrekNomads

February 20, 2020

9 Steps to Going Plastic Free in the Mountains

“Climb all the mountains you can, but take only memories, & leave only Footprints”

Over the past few years, there has been an incredible trekking boom in the country. Trekking has gone from being an adventure sport to a recreational activity. With the increasing number of people heading out to the mountains, littering in the trails has become a major cause of concern. We’re increasingly seeing the mountains littered with single-use plastic and the repercussions of this are devastating. There is a huge need to educate trekkers on the simpler ways to go plastic-free during treks.

While it is difficult to eliminate plastic altogether, you can consciously focus on decreasing the use of single-use plastic during treks & travels.

Here are 9 ways to help you go plastic-free on your treks

Use reusable water bottles

Plastic bottles are one of the most common forms of litter found in the mountains. Whether it’s a Himalayan trek or a common one day trek near Bangalore like Skandagiri, plastic bottles are everywhere. Use reusable bottles instead, unless you’re going on an expedition to Mt. Kilimanjaro, you’ll need water purification tablets, for all other treks we make sure to provide boiled filtered water on the trail that you can fill up on the go. This will help you reduce your carbon footprint and save money on buying packaged water bottles!

2. Get your Cutlery from home

Another major form of litter we find are plastic spoons and straws, the best ways to avoid this is to keep cutlery set handy while on a trek. From bamboo to steel, eco-friendly vendors provide all kinds of simple, reusable cutlery sets that are easy to carry and are brilliant for the environment. Some of these sets come equipped with fork, spoons, knives, and straws that will make you enjoy your meal entirely.

3. Avoid carrying plastic bags

Did you know that plastic bags take over 1000 years to decompose? This is disturbing beyond what we can imagine. When you’re on a multiple-day trek, the simplest and the most common way to dispose used clothes is through plastic bags, we recommend you switch to a dry bag instead. These dry bags are light to carry and can keep your used clothes dry and warm all through the trek. For those of you who love to take souvenirs home from your trekking destination, you can use a recyclable tote or a cloth bag that can be later used for various purposes.

4. Switch to reusable razors

We understand hygiene is an integral part of life and the need of using razors when on multi-day Himalayan treks. All that we’re suggesting is for you to use reusable razors instead of plastic-single-use razors. If you can wait it out, the best thing you can carry is an electronic razor that will help you keep clean and reduce plastic.

5. Keep a tab on the tissues you use on the trek

Tissues can come in handy in various ways while on a trek. While they can be a savior, it is important to consciously ensure that you don’t throw them around and litter the trail. Wet tissues are a bigger threat than regular paper-based tissues because they are made of polyester a form of plastic that takes long to deteriorate. We do understand that wet wipes can help you tenfold in magically making you feel clean all over, however, it is just as hazardous to the environment. Instead of using wet wipes, you can think of switching to damp toilet paper, damp handkerchiefs or you could even think of making your own wet wipes made of cloth at home.

6. Switch to a more eco-friendly variant for menstrual hygiene

We know how tricky it can get when you’re menstruating during your trek, with no loos or water at times, keeping up your menstrual hygiene can be quite challenging. However, you shouldn’t let this stop you from exploring the mountains. But with a little prep and planning, you can brave the menstrual storm and trek without a worry. For starters, you can switch to a more sustainable and eco-friendly option instead of sanitary pads and tampons like menstrual cups. You can also switch to biodegradable sanitary napkins with brands like Carmesi. If you decide to use a menstrual cup, make sure that you wash it well and disinfect it with your hands before and after usage.

7. Always segregate the waste before disposing

As much as this rule helps waste segregation at home, it helps in segregation waste in the mountains as well. When you trek with us, we ensure two things: All waste created in the mountains are brought back to the base and there is clear segregation between wet and dry waste. We also carry biodegradable bags that help us carry back the waste created there. Upon disposal, these bags are eco-friendly and decompose much faster and better than polyethylene plastic bags.

8. Carry a bamboo toothbrush & reusable toiletries when trekking

Most times, we forget to carry toiletries and toothbrushes and end up buying these in the stores at the base camp. Since this is brought from the store, it is also frequently left behind as you wouldn’t want to carry it back home. To avoid such cases, it’s always better if you buy a reusable toiletry kit and switch to a bamboo toothbrush instead of plastic, even if you decide to dispose of this, it won’t cause harm to nature.

9. Follow the rule of 10

At TrekNomads, we believe in leaving the mountains in a better condition. Which is why, on our treks, we’ve devised something called a rule of 10. On every trek, at the time of descent, make sure you pick up 10 pieces of litter you find along the trail and bring it back to the base camp for disposal. By doing so, not only are you leaving the mountains in a better condition, you’re also taking the global issue of littering in your hands and doing something to prevent it.

While we should always turn our explore mode on, we should also ensure that we reduce our carbon footprint not just in the mountains but everywhere we go.

Everest Base Camp Guide: All You Need to Know About The Trek

TrekNomads

January 23, 2020

Dreaming of standing face-to-face with the world’s highest mountain? This Everest Base Camp Trek Guide will help you understand all there is to know about this popular trek.

Considered to be one of the most popular treks in the world, this trek sees trekkers, travellers and adventure enthusiasts from all across the globe. From coming up close with the Khumbu Glacier to enjoying the cultural side of Nepal, this trek to Everest Base Camp is all about giving you an adventure of a lifetime. This once in a lifetime experience is a MUST for any adventure enthusiast and does not require any technical climbing skills.

Here’s What This Everest Base Camp Guide Will Cover

Why Trek to Everest Base Camp?
Choosing the Right Trek Partner
Nepal Visa for Indians
Everest Base Camp Route
The Trek Itinerary
Perfect Time To Trek to Everest Base Camp
Difficulty Level of the EBC Trek
Fitness Level Required for the Trek
Packing 101: Your Everest Base Camp Guide to Packing Right
Layering Up for a Himalayan Trek
All You Need to Know About AMS
Accommodation & Food on the trail
Insurance for the EBC Trek
Tipping System in Nepal
What To Expect on a Trek to Everest Base Camp

Why Trek to Everest Base Camp?

The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla is considered to be one of the deadliest and scariest landings and take-offs in the world!! The Lukla airport is also considered to be the shortest runway in the world making this flight journey an unparalleled adventure in itself. Hold on to your seat folks!
This trek goes through the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Sagarmatha National Park and is one of the major highlights of this trek. The trail is steeped within the Himalayan protected area and gives splendid views of various mighty 8,000ers and other peaks in the region!
You get to trek to the extremely scenic town of Namche Bazaar. Also known as the “Gateway to the Himalayas in Nepal”, this little quaint town boasts of magnificent views of Kongdi RI, the Thamserku and of course- the Everest from its step-like terrains.
Get up close with the Sherpa Culture of Nepal. The Khumbu region is said to have the highest population of Sherpa’s in the world. The EBC trek gives you a great opportunity to interact with these people of the Himalayas who are an inspiration to the trekkers across the world.
Welcome to the land of Stupas. This trek will take you on a spiritual journey with it’s hundreds and thousands of Stupas & monasteries that adorn the trail. One of the popular & revered monasteries you get to visit is the Tengboche Monastery during the trek.
The Everest Base Camp is definitely undoubtedly the biggest highlight of the trek, marking the final destination or end to the 13-day journey. The overwhelming feeling of pride and a sense of achievement that you feel when you reach base camp cannot be put in words. Standing under the shadow of Mount Everest, the magnitude of the moment will make the hard work worth it.
The Killer sunrise from Kala Patthar you see the morning after you trek to Everest Base Camp will blow your mind away. To see the sun rise from the shoulders of Mount Everest would be the best sunrises you would ever see in your entire life!

Choosing the Right Trek Partner for EBC

When it comes to trekking, you need to ensure that you know who you’re trekking with. With an on-field experience of over 10 years, our itineraries are expertly crafted to ensure you get the best possible experience. When you trek with TrekNomads, you can expect:

Premium Experience
Itineraries that ensure proper acclimatization
All-inclusive value-for-money package
Smaller groups to ensure quality
Stringent safety measures & procedures
Comfortable Accommodation in teahouses
3-Meals a day
Experienced & Certified Trek Captain who will accompany you on the trek

Nepal Visa

For citizens of countries other than India, you will be required to purchase a Visa. The cost for the Visa can range anywhere between USD 30 – USD 50 depending on the number of days you need to be in Nepal. We always recommend getting the 30-day Visa since there could be a possibility of delays and setbacks during the trek.

Everest Base Camp Trek Route

The classic and most popular route to Everest Base Camp starts from Lukla, passing through Namche Bazaar and then heading up to Lobuche from Dingboche and then finally to Gorakshep. This classic Everest Base Camp route is extremely popular and easier.

The other route that is less commonly opted for is Everest Base Camp through Gokyo Ri and Chola Pass. This is slightly more challenging but has brilliant views of the Gokyo Lakes and the chance to summit Gokyo Ri.

The route that we opt for on our Everest Base Camp trek is this:

everest base camp guide - trek route — Everest Base camp guide – route image

The Trek Itinerary

While most operators out there give you a shorter itinerary of 13 days overall, we strongly believe in giving a very breathable itinerary. Right from giving enough days to acclimatize to keeping a breather towards the end before departing home in case of delays, this is what we follow at TrekNomads:

Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu
Day 2: Fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, Trek to Phakding
Day 3: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar
Day 4: Acclimatisation Day at Namche Bazaar
Day 5: Trek from Namche Bazar to Tengboche
Day 6: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche
Day 7: Acclimatisation Day at Dingboche
Day 8: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche
Day 9: Trek from Lobuche to Gorak Shep and then trek to Everest Base Camp
Day 10: Sunrise trek to Kalapatthar then Trek to Periche
Day 11: Trek from Periche to Namche Bazaar
Day 12: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla
Day 13: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu
Day 14: Sightseeing at Kathmandu
Day 15: Buffer day – for rest or try activities like Bungy Jumping/River Rafting
Day 16: Departure from Kathmandu

Perfect Time to trek to EBC

There are two seasons when you can trek to Everest Base Camp. The first is from April – May (Spring) and the second is October – November (Autumn). The latter is considered to be a post-monsoon time and chances of it raining through the trail are lower. The Sagarmatha region is in full bloom during the autumn giving you a palette of colors that you can enjoy. The spring season sees plenty of indigenous species that are in a colorful display and in full bloom.

Difficulty Level of the EBC Trek

This trek is graded challenging to extreme because you will be trekking for 13 consecutive days over rough terrain, you will be exposed to increasing altitudes each day, averaging 4,000 m and up to a maximum of 5,545 m. The terrain is occasionally rough with lots of steep ascents and descents and adding to this the weather conditions may fluctuate every now and then.

When you’re on the trail, the idea will be to try and cover approx 8 Km every day. While you may want reach the next stop faster, you need to focus on not exhausting yourself too much as you will be trekking consecutively. Having said that, this trek is easily achievable for Nomads who are relatively fit and are willing to take on a good adventure.

Fitness Level Required for the Trek

This high-altitude trek requires intense physical and mental strength along with stamina and endurance. If you’re not already following a fitness regime, you would need to follow a 3 to 6-month regime that can help you get fit for the trek. The training routine is spread over four months and you would be expected to work out at least 4 times a week. You will have to follow on a good combination of exercises that works on all parts of your body including – Upper Body, Core, Endurance, Lower Body, Shoulder strength and streamlining your breathing pattern.

Here’s a quick 8-week regime of curated exercises that we’ve built to help you reach the best fitness level for the Everest Base Camp Trek:

Stair Climbing
Days: Mon, Thurs
Routine: 5 min – (2.5 min continuously*2 sets) with a 1 min break between each set
How will this help – Pushing your body against gravity is a great cardiovascular activity. Stair climbing helps strengthen the muscles around your knees and helps build endurance.
Push-Ups
Days: Mon, Thurs
Routine: 5*2 Set (10) – (1 min rest between each set)
How will this help – Push-ups help you build a stronger upper body while strengthening your core. This exercise helps when you have to ascend while carrying a backpack.
Squats
Days: Mon, Thurs
Routine: 5*2 Set (10) – (1 min rest between each set)
How will this help – Squats are the best form of functional fitness. They promote balance and stability and strengthen legs, thighs, hips, buttocks, and hamstrings.
Crunches
Days: Tues, Fri
Routine: 5*2 Set (10) – (1 min rest between each set)
How will this help – Crunches work on your abdominal muscles to build your core strength. This exercise will help you keep your balance on uneven surfaces.
Interval Running
Days: Tues, Fri
Routine: 15 min – (alternate 60 secs of continuous running 90 secs brisk walk)

How will this help –Running is a great cardiovascular workout, it is also an aerobic activity that uses more oxygen. This workout helps makes your lungs stronger.
Burpees
Days: Tues, Fri
Routine: 5*2 Set (10)- (1 min rest between each set)
How will this help – Burpees is a great full-body strength training exercise and the ultimate example of functional fitness which helps abs, hamstrings, chest, glutes, and arms.
Rest
Days: Wed, Sat, Sun
How will this help – Rest is an integral part of your fitness routine which must not be missed. Overdoing can cause an unnecessary injury to your body.

You can also be a part of a monitored fitness regime run by our Trek Captain – Naveen Mallesh.

Packing 101: Your Everest Base Camp Guide to Packing Right

everest base camp trek

This Everest base camp guide has all the necessary details that you will require to check off your packing list for the trek:

Gear:

Rucksack: 60 – 70 liters to carry all your gear. This bag will be carried by porters. Ensure that you pack only the necessary items and avoid overpacking.
Backpack: A 20-25 liters backpack that you will carry on your trek every day. This backpack will have water bottles, lip balm, moisturizing lotion, camera, power bank, energy/protein bars, sunglasses, hand towel, extra pair of active/dri-fit/synthetic socks – all of this is good enough to get you through the trek easily. Also, get a cover for your backpack.

Footwear:

Your boots are probably one of the most important equipment you will be required to wear on your Everest Base Camp Trek – we would definitely recommend you invest well in a good pair of shoes.

You will need to make sure that your boots are high-ankled, waterproof and well insulated to help you protect from the freezing temperature. Decathlon has a great pair of waterproof shoes for men & for women.

Alternatively, don’t forget to carry a pair of open sandals that can be worn at the campsite. It is essential that you give your feet some relief from the boots after trekking for long hours. Make sure that you wear these with a good pair of woolen socks.

Socks:

We know that the first option that comes to mind when it comes to choosing the right socks in this instance is Woolen. But let us tell you, trekking in woolen socks can be a bit of a pain. The best choice of socks you can carry is the ones meant for active-wear. These normally come with a blend of woolen and synthetic fabric. Not only do they dry faster, they make your feet comfortable – something that is essential for long-distance hiking.

It is also recommended that you keep an extra pair of socks for each day in case your current socks get wet, you will need to change your socks without any delay.

Carry about 4 pairs of active-socks and 4 pairs of Woolen socks. Once you reach your camp for the day, ensure that you clean & dry your feet and wear the woolen socks (2 pairs to make it extra warm as temperatures would dip down in the night).

Gloves:

An Everest Base Camp guide would be incomplete without a great pair of gloves. You will be wearing gloves all through the day. You are required to carry about 4 pairs of good woolen gloves.

Other Accessories:

Water Bottles – (One Thermas & one regular bottle – 2*1 Litres)
Toiletries, wet wipes & tissue rolls (2)
Sunscreen – SPF 40 & above
Moisturizing lotion, lip balm, and Deo stick/deodorant
Personal medicines (The trek lead will be carrying a basic first aid kit)
Utility kit – Safety pins, rubber bands, clips, needles etc.
Plastic bags – biodegradable
Power bank – 2 preferably
5 Photocopies of your PASSPORT for various permits etc.
Passport Size photos – 4 to 5

Here’s a quick guide to layering up for any Himalayan trek:

A good part of this Everest Base Camp guide is not just to tell you what to pack, but to also help you understand how you can layer yourself up for the trek.

Head Gear:

1. Woolen Cap – That can cover your ears and head entirely
2. Woolen balaclava that can cover your neck, mouth and nose
3. Polaroid sunglasses – with UV protection
4. Headlamp – in case it gets dark while trekking
5. Sun cap with a back flap to protect your nape

Layering your Upper Body while resting:

1. Thermals – Layer 1
2. T-Shirt (Dri-Fit – preferably to absorb sweat) – Layer 2
3. Sweater – Layer 3
4. Another layer of sweater – Layer 4
5. Fleece jacket – Layer 5
6. Down Jacket or polyfill padded jacket – Layer 6
7. Gloves

Layering your Upper Body while trekking:

1. Thermals – Layer 1
2. T-Shirt (Dri-Fit – preferably to absorb sweat) – Layer 2
3. Fleece jacket – Layer 3
4. Down Jacket or polyfill padded jacket – Layer 4
5. Gloves

Layering up your Lower Body while resting:

Basic thermals
Trekking trouser
Polyester trekking socks
Woolen socks

Layering up your Lower body while trekking:

Trekking trousers
Polyester or active-wear socks
Trekking shoes

Pro-Tips:

If you wear spectacles, you can either wear it below a pair of oversized sunglasses. You could also get powered polaroid glasses made. Brands like Lenskart, Titan, etc. can custom make powered sunglasses for you.
For those of you who wear contact lenses, you can keep using them on the trek without any worry. Just make sure you carry enough cleaning solution so you clean your fingers well before wearing the lens.
Avoid carrying knitted jackets on the trek. Not only are they heavy, but they also don’t protect you enough from snowfall.
For your base T-Shirt, avoid carrying cotton T-Shirts and opt for Dri-Fit T-Shirts instead. These will absorb your sweat and keep you dry at all times.
If you are planning on buying a jacket, opt for a padded jacket instead or a down jacket. Padded jackets are low maintenance and are generally water-resistant.
When you buy pants, make sure you buy the ones with the zipper pockets. These will help you keep your phones safe and handy.
Don’t substitute track pants for your trek pants. Track pants can be worn as an extra layer in case you’re feeling too cold, but definitely avoid wearing them as your trek pants.
Avoid anything cotton on this trek. The region you’re trekking to won’t let you dry clothes and accessories very easily. From hand towels to T-shirts, and pants, avoid cotton.

**If you need any help in picking out the right clothing, gear, and accessories for the trek, our trek experts can help you with that.

All You Need to Know About Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS)

The mountains are the gateway to exploring the abundant beauty that nature has to offer and every year, millions of people go up to the mountains to trek. While the fun and excitement is unparalleled, there is always one uncertainty that every trekker, professional or amateur has when it comes to high altitude trekking. And that is Acute Mountain Sickness, or commonly termed in the trekking community as AMS. Being physically fit helps in preventing AMS to a certain extent (does not, however, rule out AMS entirely)

Acetazolamide (Diamox): (a tablet that helps prevent AMS) will be given to you every night before every trek, this will help your respiratory system acclimatize to the altitudeAMS does not discriminate between new and experienced trekker, if you start showing any of the symptoms mentioned above, please inform your trek lead immediately.

Accommodation & Food During the Trek

While the common way of living along the trail is by camping, but on our trek, you get to enjoy staying at double sharing wooden teahouses. The rooms will be comfortable with basic amenities. Blankets and fresh sheets will be given.

As cost of food on the Everest Base Camp trek gets extremely expensive, a good package inclusive of food can do you so much help. Basic continental food will be available all along the trail. You can also binge on Nepali delicacies like – Dal Vat Tarkari etc. Indian food will be scarce along the trail.

Insurance for Everest Base Camp Trek

Trekking in the Himalayas comes with its own set of risks. While adventure is fun and can be extremely thrilling, nature can be unpredictable, and to help secure you during your trek, it is of utmost importance that you are covered with insurance.

We’ve gone a step ahead and made sure that you don’t have to worry about scouting for the best insurance option out there. When you trek with us, your insurance comes as a part of your inclusions.

Tipping System in Nepal

As of what we understand, there is no tipping system in place as compared to rules in other countries where porters MUST be given a certain amount of tip for the work they’ve done by every trekker. When trekking with us, we strongly follow the unsaid rule of tipping well. While the amount to be tipped is at your discretion, we always encourage our trekkers to tip more if they’re happy with the porter’s service. To give you an example, you can tip from anywhere between Rs 100 – 500 per day (depending on your comfort).

As a part of this Everest Base Camp guide, here are a few things you can keep in mind when you think of tipping in Nepal:

Tipping Etiquette

There are a few things that you need to keep in mind while tipping the porters or guides in Nepal.

Handing over the money

Always hand over the money with your right hand, as using your left hand for this is considered to be rude in Nepal.

Tip Discreetly

It’s always better to tip your porter at the end of the trek, in which case, we suggest that you use an envelope, this will not only make them feel good about the tip, it will also give them a sense of respect. If you wish to tip smaller amounts, it’s always better to tip without creating a scene or saying it out loud.

Tipping doesn’t necessarily mean money

During your trek, it’s always a good sense to tip porters with food such as chocolates, energy bars, dry fruits, water, etc. After your trek, you can always leave behind your gear, clothes, shoes etc. that can be extremely helpful to these porters as they would never be able to invest in these otherwise.

The unsaid rule of weight

On our treks, we’ve seen porters more than 80 kilos of weight up and down the trail. While there is no rule in Nepal to check how much each porter can carry, it is always advised that as trekkers, you do not overburden them with heavy luggage. You can even do a ratio of one porter for two trekkers to ensure that they are not carrying too much weight.

What to Expect on a trek to EBC

The Everest Base Camp trek is a challenging trek that requires prior Himalayan trekking experience. During the course, we will trek 4 to 10 hours per day on moderate to steep grades, at varied elevations. Some days will be rest days with optional hikes to properly acclimatize, while on other days you will continue your journey towards EBC. Your Trek Captain will set a suitable pace to minimize the risk of altitude issues. Porters and pack animals will transport your gear. A signed medical consent form from your doctor will be required for participation. You will also be required to sign an indemnity bond before heading on the trek.

With this Everest Base Camp guide, we hope that you have understood the various aspects of trekking in the Everest region.

To join us on our departure to Everest Base Camp + Kala Patthar in April, click here.

Kedarkantha Trek | A Photo Blog of our Snow Trek to Kedarkantha Peak

TrekNomads

January 7, 2020

Kedarkantha Trek | A Photo Blog of our Snow Trek to Kedarkantha Peak

Our team did a reccee to the Kedarkantha Peak on the 23rd and 24th of December. The Kedarkantha Trek usually takes about 4 days to complete and while our initial plan was to complete the trek in 3 days, we managed to complete the summit in 19 hours and the entire trek in about 35 hours. We started from Sankri early Monday morning and trekked to the Kedarkantha base camp.

We did the summit push early in the morning just in time for the sunrise. We also descended back to Sankri the same day. The trail was entirely carpeted in snow which made this the perfect winter trek.

About the Kedarkantha Trek:

The minute you think of snow trekking in India, one of the most gorgeous treks that come to mind is the Kedarkantha summit trek. This trek is all about introducing you to a winter wonderland unlike any other. This trek is all about exploring the fun side of trekking and is a perfect fit for anyone who’s trying their hand at Himalayan trekking for the first time. This trek is easy and comfortable for a novice summiter and gives you every Nomad an opportunity to summit a snow-laden peak in Uttarakhand.