The Sherpa tribe is the most famous of the 10 Himalayan region tribes |
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spent exchanging backgrounds , and discussing the progress of our acclimatisation and related issues .
Food was generally wholesome , basic and very nutritious , prepared by a team of Nepali cooks . Lots of rice , potatoes , lentils / dahl , eggs , fresh vegetables and the occasional meat ( mostly chicken ). We drank copious amounts of fluid , mostly tea and lots of water . The occasional beer was also welcomed , when we stopped at the frequent teahouses or guesthouses that dotted our route . We met many other trekkers , as October and November are the main trekking months in the post-monsoon season . Days were mostly warm and sunny , but evenings were cool , and at the higher altitude , very cold . The tents were frequently the warmest place to be !
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Into the High Mountains
In order to protect the fragile natural ecosystem around the Everest region , lying within the borders of the Sagamartha National Park , the number of participants was capped at 50
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( runners ) in order to prevent environmental problems arising from overcrowding . The majority of our porters were from a variety of ‘ ethnic groups ’ from different parts of Nepal . However , our main local guides were Sherpas , who inhabit the Everest region .
The Sherpas (‘ people from the east ’) had migrated from Tibet in centuries past , and settled in the region , called Solo Khumbu . Although short in stature , they are very strong , and acclimatise exceptionally well , being used to the higher altitudes . All the early initial expeditions to climb Mount Everest in the 1920s and 1930s used Sherpas , and they had developed a good reputation for being solid and dependable . Subsequently , nearly all major climbing expeditions nowadays hire their ‘ Sherpas ’ to assist and frequently guide them on the high mountains .
Our daily hikes allowed us to acclimatise slowly to the increase in altitude . When one goes to higher altitudes , the barometric pressure drops and there is less oxygen available to allow your body to function ‘ normally ’. Your body will therefore need time to adjust to the change in pressure . Sometimes called mountain sickness , altitude sickness is a group of symptoms that can strike if you walk , run or climb to a higher elevation too quickly . There are three forms of altitude sickness . Acute Mountain Sickness is the mildest form , and it is very common – the symptoms can feel like a hangover , with dizziness , headaches , nausea and muscle aches . High Altitude
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Pulmonary Edema is a build-up of fluid in the lungs that can be very dangerous and life threatening . High Altitude Cerebral Edema happens when there is fluid on the brain , and is also extremely dangerous .
Ascending slowly with frequent rest stops and drinking lots of fluid generally assist in the acclimatisation process . Knowing the condition of your body also helps , and the best cures for the milder forms of altitude sickness are to rest , or descend to a lower elevation where your condition can improve . The more severe forms of sickness require immediate medical attention and evacuation to lower altitudes . We were encouraged to take a prescribed drug , Diamox , although it is a diuretic , with the consequent frequent bathroom visits . This was very uncomfortable at the higher altitudes , with subzero temperatures outside and when one was snug and warm in one ’ s sleeping bag !
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Monasteries and Mountains
Our path followed the trails that the locals have used for centuries . There are no paved roads , the trail followed the main river upstream , crossing several suspension bridges adorned with the ubiquitous prayer flags . We turned the prayer wheels as we passed by , requesting the Gods for a safe passage and journey . The terrain was undulating , from a start altitude of some 2000 metres up to 3000 metres and back down , and so on , eventually arriving after approximately eight days at the main Sherpa town called Namche Bazaar .
Lying at 3500 metres , Namche is nestled in a wonderful valley , and
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Images : Dario Severi / Wikipedia , JT Vets / Wikipedia , Keith MacIntosh & McKay Savage / Wikipedia |