Everest base camp in numbers

I wore a Garmin Vivofit device to track my steps and distance over the 11 days of my Everest Base Camp trek, which was handy because it’s waterproof and doesn’t need charging. Unfortunately, it doesn’t log floors climbed or elevation.

These stats represent all movement for the day, which included any down time in villages and teahouses. By far, the longest hiking days were actually at the end of the trek. During the three days hiking back to Lukla from Gorak Shep, we covered 60.46km.

I was burning almost 2,200 calories per day and struggled to consume even half that in food. Eating at altitude is difficult as the body’s digestive system slows down. Combine that with nausea and you don’t want to eat much. I snacked on lollies, Pringles and muesli and chocolate bars.

I consumed three to four litres of bottled water per day and a minimum of four cups of masala tea or hot chocolate each day. Many people chose to use sterilising tablets or UV sterilisers in tap water as bottled water can be expensive the higher up you go. It starts at about 100 rupees in Lukla and costs about 400 rupees by the time you get to Gorak Shep. Someone has to lug it all up there so you can understand paying a premium.

I was fortunate not to get a single blister the entire trek thanks to broken-in Salomon hiking boots. I did, however, find my achilles were in agony back in Kathmandu when I switched back into thongs or trainers. Walking downstairs was extremely painful and I needed two foot massages to right them.

I booked my entire trek with Nepal Hiking Team, who also took care of all my pre and post trek accommodation. My guide was Chuda and my porter was Pranaya. I can’t recommend them enough.

For those interested, below is a list of the equipment and clothing I took with me, which came to 10kg in my duffel bag (carried by our porter Pranaya) and 7kg in my daypack, carried by me (excludes water). The duffel bag weight included my sleeping bag, plus all clothing and accessories. To Nepal I took a suitcase and carry-on bag as trek items were transferred into the duffel bag supplied. I was able to leave my suitcases and other items in the hotel.

I do not have affiliations with any of the brands mentioned below.

Clothing

•  1 x Ultra Mid2 GTX Salomon hiking boots
• 1 x Mountain Designs heavyweight hiking pants
• 1 x Mountain Designs hooded fleece jacket (with interior zip pockets)
• 1 x Mountains Designs fleece pants/trackies
• 1 x Kathmandu merino long-sleeved tee
• 2 x Kathmandu dri-motion active singlet
• 1 x Kathmandu XT Ultralight down jacket
• 1 x Kathmandu Bealey Gore Tex rainjacket
• 1 x waterproof rain pants (did not need)
• 1 x fleece beanie
• 1 x  fleece scarf
• 1 x cap
• 1 x face buff
• 1 x glove liners
• 1 x ski gloves (did not use)
• 2 x Kathmandu moisture wicking undies
• 2 x sports g-string
• 2 x sports bra
• 2 x Rockwear Jenny 3/4 tights
• 1 x Nepali tennis skirt with front zip pocket (bought locally)
• 4 x pairs hiking socks (various weights)
• 1 x Mountain Designs toe socks (to wear with thongs in teahouse)
• 1 x thongs (flip flops)

Gear and accessories

• 1 pair telescopic walking poles (did not use)
• 1 x 3L water bladder
• 1 x 30L daypack
• 1 x 92L duffel bag (supplied)
• 1 x sleeping bag (supplied)
• 1 x silk sleeping bag liner
• 1 x inflatable pillow (did not need)
• 1 x pair knee-high gaiters (did not need)
• 1 x map of Everest region (supplied)
• Nikon D40 SLR camera and charger
• Apple iPhone 6s and charger
• 1 x Jackery Force 420 PRO 20100 mAH power bank (JB HiFi, so worth the money)
• 1 x Garmin Vivofit activity tracker
• 1 x head lamp and spare battery (not needed on trek but came in handy in teahouse rooms when the lighting was poor or there was a blackout)
• 3 x strings prayer flags (gifted to me and left on the mountain)
• 2 x small notebooks
• 1 x pen
• Bandaids and blister aids (did not need)
• Water purification tablets (did not use)
• 100 x Diamox 250mg tablets
• Ibuprofen
• Paracetamol
• Gastrostop (did not need)
• Gastrolyte tablets (did not use)
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Face cleanser
• Lip balm with SPF
• Sunscreen
• Hair tie/elastic
• Tissues (plus bought at least 20 packets on the trail – peeing and nose blowing)
• Tampons (purchased on trail)
• Lollies, snacks (and purchased more on trail)
• Letters/motivational messages from home
• 3 x small packet baby wipes
• Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner and body wash
• Dry shampoo (gave up after second day)

Things I wish I’d packed for the trek but left at hotel

• Tampons
• Kindle