Everest Expedition Itinerary

Approach to Base Camp: Our expedition begins with a flight from the USA to Kathmandu, Nepal. We spend a few days in Kathmandu checking gear, meeting the Sherpa and preparing for our flight to Lukla (9,000ft), which is at the base of the Khumbu Himal. From here we begin our trek to Everest Base Camp. The trek takes approximately 10 days and travels from the Dudh Kosi valley up through the Imja Drangka and finally onto the Khumbu Glacier. Along the way we visit the villages of Namche, Tengboche, Pheriche and Lobuche, most of which are fascinating and richly cultured villages that provide spectacular views of the Himalayas. The trek in also gives us the chance to explore the many different regions and take the time to visit local monasteries and visit with Nepali friends.

Base Camp: Years of experience have helped us to establish the finest Base Camp on the mountain. With the highest quality tent structures and imported foods, we strive to ensure the time at Base Camp is restful and revitalizing. By providing these accommodations, we make every effort to keep climbers healthy and rested. We have a full time base camp manager and have a full communications tent for email and limited phone calls.

Climbing Route: By the time we reach base camp, our climbing leaders and Sherpa will be well on the way to having the lower part of the mountain (the Khumbu Ice Fall) already fixed with ropes and ladders. We establish four camps on the mountain. The first, Camp I at 19,500ft, is situated at the top of the ice fall. This camp functions as an intermediate camp until Camp II (advanced base camp) is established at 21,000ft in the Western Cwm. Camp II will consist of large tents for cooking and dining and several smaller tents for sleeping. Camp II will be our base during the placements of Camp III and Camp IV (23,500ft and 26,300ft respectively). Camp III, which stands at the head of the cirque on the Lhotse face will consist of three and four man tents. This intermediate camp helps us to reach Camp IV (high camp) on the South Col. Most of our Sherpa are able to carry directly from Camp II to Camp IV, so large amounts of gear are not needed at Camp III to establish Camp IV. Oxygen will be used above Camp III to help aid climbers in reaching high camp before attempting the summit. From Camp IV, we travel along the South East Ridge to the South Summit. From here we traverse for a few hundred meters before reaching the Hillary Step and then onto the main summit.

Summit Attempts: After Camps III and IV are established and all our supplies are in place, we return to Base Camp for a rest. At Base Camp we organize our summit teams and prepare ourselves for summit attempts. Once we are ready, we return to Advanced Base. If good weather prevails we move the summit team to Camp III. On the next day, the summit team moves up to Camp IV. Once at Camp IV we take a rest day. We have found that this rest at Camp IV greatly increases our summit success. The following day will be summit day. We start very early that morning and attempt to reach the summit before midday. After the summit, the team retreats back to the South Col and next day descends to Camp II. Guides and Sherpa will accompany all summit attempts and oxygen will be used.