Are you planning on visiting Everest Base Camp trek for your vacation? Then there are various things to know before doing Everest Base Camp Trek. This trek is one of the popular trekking routes of the Everest Region.

Every year many trekkers from all around the world visit Nepal to complete Everest Base Camp Trek. There are a few things to know before doing Everest Base Camp Trek which can be helpful for you.

Journey to Everest Base Camp is full of adventures, thrills, and challenges. Reaching the base of the world’s highest mountain itself is overwhelming. You will be passing through many small settlements, mani walls, prayer flags, etc.

The routes of Everest Base Camp Trek are graded as moderate to difficult. It is suitable for both beginners and professionals. On this trek, you will be passing through trails filled with lush green forests viewing the striking mountain peaks.

But before you begin your magical journey there are few things to know before doing Everest Base Camp Trek. We have listed some of the things below that might be helpful prior to your trek.

About Everest Base Camp

Everest Base Camp lies on the foot of Mount Everest in the Solukhumbu district. The trekking route of Everest Base Camp takes you through Sagarmatha National Park.

This park is home to various endangered plants, animals, and birds. If you are lucky you might even sight some of them on your trails. Such as red panda, Monal, rhododendron, leopard, and many more.

This region is home for the Sherpa community who have been living here for centuries. The tradition and culture of these people are influenced by the Tibetan. You get to experience the warm hospitality provided by these people on your trek.

Everest Base Camp trek will give a lot of great memories to look back at. You will be astounded by the beauty of nature throughout the trek. So, prepare yourself for this trek.

Things to Know Before Doing Everest Base Camp Trek

Season for Everest Base Camp Trek

Before planning your trek you should know which season is perfect for Everest Base Camp Trek. Most trekkers prefer autumn and spring seasons as the best time to visit Everest Base Camp. The months from March to May and September to November fall under these seasons.

The weather and temperature is favorable for trekking during these months. Skies are clear giving the visible views of the surroundings. Also the days are sunny and hot while nights can be a bit chilly.

As for winter and monsoon seasons, they are off-season time for trekking due to the weather conditions. Winter is the coldest season of the year. While monsoon is the season of heavy rainfall.

The months from December to February and June to August fall under these seasons. The routes can be challenging and thrilling during these months. But with proper preparation, you can visit Everest Base Camp this time as well.

The weather and temperature are not very favorable during this time. During winter the skies are clear but the temperature drops below freezing point. As for monsoon the routes are slippery and muddy in lower regions. And the views are obstructed by rain clouds.

It is better to visit during the favorable season to enhance your adventure.

Thrilling flight to Lukla

Lukla Airport is also known as Tenzing Hillary Airport which is popular for its narrow runway. This is the gateway to the Everest region. This airport is famous for its thrilling flights. It takes about 35 to 40 min to reach there from Kathmandu.

You will be flying over the beautiful Khumbu region looking at mesmerizing views. You get to see many magnificent mountains and wonderful landscapes out of your window.

Food and Accommodation

While trekking in the Everest region there are fewer chances of finding western foods up in the mountains. But you get to taste the traditional food of Nepal in your journey. Such as Dal, Bhat, curry, achar, and many side dishes. This food gives you the energy needed to make the climb.

As for the accommodation you will find many lodges in your destination. These lodges range from expensive to cheap. You will find all the necessary facilities even though the lodges are situated in high places.

As you climb high most of the lodges will have public toilets and bathrooms. So during peak time, you might have to wait in a long queue for your turn.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is normal when trekking in a high region. So you don’t have to panic about it. When traveling in elevation above 4000 m suffering from altitude sickness is common.

So, if you see any symptom it is compulsory to inform your guide immediately. Some common symptoms seen are headache, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, etc.

Don’t worry and follow the instructions provided by your guide. Everything will be alright as long as you don’t hide it.

Carry Extra Cash

While trekking in high altitude it is necessary to carry extra cash in hand. As there are no ATM machines and banks in high regions. So it is better to carry extra money just in case.

Nothing is predictable higher up so you might need more cash then you have budgeted. As you climb higher goods and services get expensive. Also unknown expenses can go over your budget. Such as extra price for charging your phone, hot water, etc.

Pack proper clothes and Comfortable shoes

It is necessary to pack proper clothes and comfortable shoes for your trek. As you will be spending more than a week on this trek. The weather can be cold higher up so it is necessary to carry sweaters and jackets.

Packing of clothes depends on which season you are traveling in. If you are trekking during the hot season then it is better to carry shorts and t-shirts for the lower region. While thin sweaters and jackets for high regions as it can be chilly during the night and early morning.

Comfortable shoes are very necessary for your trek. As you will be using them for more than a week. So, before your trek check whether they are comfortable or not.

Hire Porter and Guide

Are traveling for the first time in Nepal then hiring a guide and porter is a great option. A guide will be able to describe to you the important information needed for this trek. While a porter makes your trek easy by carrying your stuff all the way to EBC and back.

They can even provide you with shortcuts as they have been locals in these routes for years. Also, trekking in high mountains is unpredictable so you will have companions as well. Hiring guides or porters can be expensive but they will be quite helpful for you during your trek.

Make Travel Insurance

Making travel insurance is a must while visiting high altitudes in the Himalayas. Travel insurance should cover emergency health issues, air evacuation, etc. You should choose insurance that covers up to 5500 m in elevation. Usually insurance companies provide insurance to the limit below 5000 m. So, check properly before selecting your company.

Bring reusable water bottles

Bringing a reusable water bottle is quite necessary for your trek. You need to keep your body hydrated throughout the trek. So, drinking plenty of water is a must. You can find mineral bottles on these trails but they are expensive in higher regions. So, carrying your personal bottle will be helpful. You can refill them in the lodges you are staying at or from water stations.

Side Trips from Everest Base Camp

Usually Everest Base Camp Trek is about a week or more. But if you are looking forward to staying a bit more in this region. Then you can go on side trips from Everest Base Camp. You can visit Gokyo lakes and Everest three high passes  from Everest Base Camp. You can combine these treks with your EBC trek for more adventure.

Final Say

Trekking to Everest Base Camp is an adventurous journey you don’t want to miss. We hope our article about things to know before doing Everest Base Camp Trek was helpful for you.  We hope you have the best time on your trekking journey in the Himalayas.

The post Things To Know Before Doing Everest Base Camp Trek appeared first on BBN Community.

Family campings can be fun and exciting especially when summer vacation is fast approaching. Hence, due to excitement, some can become care-less and tends to forget important things necessary for camping to be enjoyable and stress-free. So here are some camping must-haves you need to bring. 

Camping Tent

Of course, camping would be no fun at all without a tent. Tents make camping trips so adventurous because you do not need to book for a hotel or an inn. Since it is a family camping there are tents that can accommodate 5 or more people inside with a sleeping bag in it. 

First-Aid Kit

More often than not, adventurous activities are also prone to any untoward incidents such as accidents and injuries. So, it is important to bring your family first aid kit. A first aid kit must contain things necessary for wound-cleaning such as alcohol, bandages, and cotton balls. Likewise, it must also contain medicines like aspirins, paracetamols and the likes for possible headaches, stomach aches, colds, and fever during campings. Lastly, insect repellants must be brought for you to prevent catching diseases carried by insects such as mosquitoes and the likes. 

Survival Kit

Besides the fun, family camping can also be exhausting that is why you also need to bring your survival kit. This kit, first and foremost, contains your food and water. Make sure that the food you will bring is your comfort food which is convenient to prepare and cook. Alongside the food and drinks, you might need to bring your own cups or food containers. Secondly, you have to bring your best survival knife that can be used for a lot of purposes such as in food preparation and hiking. You may be able to cut branches or tall grasses along the way. Open your canned goods, cut or slice fruits and vegetables, clean fish that you might catch from streams or rivers. Included also in this kit are flashlights and lighters especially at night. Lighter are also helpful in cooking when you do not know how to make fire from dried leaves or wood. You might want to consider bringing camping stoves, tables, and chairs to make your camping comfy and cute.

Camping Clothes

Campings can sometimes become loaded because you bring many things and what you wear can either make it difficult or easy for you to carry your things. Therefore, bring clothes that are useful for camping. First your top and pants must be lightweight but tough enough to protect you from scratches, insect bites, and tall grasses. Also, your clothes must be easy to wash and dry. Second, your footwear must be the kind that can be used in hiking. The one that can stick to slippery soil can be submerged to water and tough enough to protect your feet from accidental bumps to rocks and stones. Headgears are also important to protect your head from heat and rain or to keep your hair from distracting your vision in keeping your tracts. Do not forget to bring extra pieces of all these especially if you intend to keep your camping long enough to enjoy everything. 

Fun Kit

So much about protection and keeping your stomach full, camping must be fun and enjoyable so waste no time and prepare for it. So do not forget to bring your itinerary maps or list in order to avoid spoiling the day because your family is lost and you cannot find the campsite. Bring your bathing suits with you as you might pass through rivers and streams, so try it out and have some splash. 

Aside from camping clothes, bring your outfit of the day (OOTDs), camera because you might enter caves or climb up a hill or mountain tops have some groupies and selfies as a family.  In other words, you have to bring all the things you might though could add enjoyment and be ready for the fun, or else your camping will just be a bummer.

Conclusion

Generally, camping can become a fun and memorable way for a family to have a rest and recreation. There are many things to explore and enjoy. Therefore, avoid all the kill-joy and stress by making sure that you bring all these must-haves. Plan ahead, make a list so nothing important can be forgotten. Have fun!   

The post Family Camping Must-Haves appeared first on BBN Community.

For example, what if you took your family on a hike into the mountains, and the change in air temperature and atmospheric pressure affected your sinuses? You expected the kids or the wife to have something happen to them, but not you! So you try and ignore it. Even though the change in altitude directly affected you, you hoped the pain would go.

It May Be Time for A Checkup

Well, now it’s the next day, and you’re bleeding from the nose, and your head is pounding. What do you do? Well, there’s a way to anticipate and treat this scenario. One, find an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) center you trust, such as CT Sinus Center in Litchfield, CT. Have the information for this center in your contacts—perhaps on your smartphone.

Two, if you haven’t had a checkup in this area, it might be worthwhile. Often people don’t give their sinuses any serious attention until some sickness affects them, and the pressure of varying phlegm concentrations bursts a sinus pocket. This can involve headaches, coughing, sneezing, nausea, discomfort, and much more.

Additionally, the eustachian tubes stretch down from the ear and drain into the throat. You can injure yourself incidentally through a fall, through trying to equalize pressure in your airways, through sneezing—what if an unexpected allergic reaction should affect you or your family? Getting yourself checked out if you haven’t, makes sense. Doing so prior to a big camping trip is smart too.

Proactive measures make a lot of sense in general. For example, get your entire family on a solid diet of additive-free, organic food. Additionally, keep everyone physically fit through regular exercise. Eating right and exercising right, will help you reach the fullest physical flourish—hiking is a great physical activity in pursuit of such outcomes. However, there will be times when issues arise.

Anticipating Possible Scenarios

Both injury and biological defects can facilitate ear, nose, or throat issues requiring some form of surgery, or even cosmetic augmentation. Sometimes complications related to a cleft palate can result in issues requiring plastic surgery. Sometimes injuries from sickness or allergy may, in extreme cases, cause damage also requiring cosmetic solutions.

This group providing rhinoplasty in Dallas can help for a variety of needs; it may make sense to take time some lazy afternoon and find other such centers near where you plan to be. The idea is to list out possible scenarios and needs, and possible solutions. You can keep this information in your smartphone or in a little journal, or whatever suits you.

Survival Skills Include Preparation

General survival skills are a big part of keeping you and your family safe in the wild. Certain sinus issues may be left alone and you may recover, but there could be physical damage sustained in this process which could have been avoided. Preparing in advance by considering possibilities and lining out solutions will help you at the very least maximize recovery from the unexpected.

Camping is usually not going to involve these scenarios, but they’re not too far out of the bounds of possibility. Be prepared. Know the state of you and your family’s health, as well as the right medical professionals to contact wherever you are when disaster strikes. 

The post Handling Unexpected ENT Issues While Camping appeared first on BBN Community.

Camping is always made that little bit better by bringing along the right gear, you are spending your time out in the beautiful, yet unpredictable and variable great outdoors after all. No matter what time of year it might be, a camper trailer is a godsend. It’s your spot for shade, storage, protection and warmth, it’s your home away from home! Accessories are only a way of increasing the functionality and comfort of your camper, so they are perfect to invest in little by little when you’re a keen camper who wants to get the very most out of the amazing lifestyle that you’ve chosen. Some great accessories to consider investing in include…

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is absolutely essential no matter what type of trip you’re going on – even you, glampers! Keeping your camping group or family safe and effectively treated in case of injury, itchy bites or any other nasty surprises is vital! Make sure both your car and your camper are well equipped with complete first aid kits and you won’t have to worry when you’re roaming free in all the wonders that nature has to offer.

Barbeque

This one is a bit of a luxury, but oh boy is it great to have on a summer camping trip! An attachable barbeque gives you yummy food, a fun activity and a great sociable atmosphere for making new friends and connecting with your camper neighbours!  

Wood Rack

Firewood for an out of season campfire isn’t exactly cheap or readily available when you’re set up at your campground. Curb the cost and bring your own firewood from home! In order to do this safely and efficiently, you’ll need an attachable wood rack. This can haul your wood super easily without taking up all your storage room in your car or camper.

Bike Rack

This is yet another incredibly handy accessory to have on that trailer of yours. A bike rack is great is you love to explore bushland and National Parks on, you guessed it, your bike! Attach multiple bikes to your trailer to get the most out of your trip and explore your campgrounds exactly how you want to.  

Mini-Fridge

Another lovely luxury to have on a hot day camping. A mini-fridge stashes your food safely, cools any beverages that you might have and just makes life a little bit easier at the grounds.

Camp Chairs

You won’t be spending all your time in your trailer, so make sure you’re as comfortable as possible when you’re not chilling indoors by investing in some camping chairs. Chilling out and watching the sunset or having your morning coffee overlooking some staggering scenery are some of the best parts of camping, so make sure do them in comfort and style!

Fire Extinguisher  

This is really in case of emergency, but peace of mind is always great to have especially when you’re relying on a camper for safety and protection. No one is itching to grab themselves a fire extinguisher, but it’s usually a very rare task that saves you big time if the risk comes. Remember it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

These are just some of the add-ons you can bring along to take your next camping trip to the next level. Do your research into camping trailer accessories that are going to work for you and for your co-campers. If you’re part of a camping family, be sure to consult everyone when you’re shopping for additional items, it really should be a group decision. Enjoy the outdoors the way you want to by grabbing kit that elevates your experience! 

The post The Best Accessories for Your Camper Trailer appeared first on BBN Community.