Am I Fit Enough?

That decision is in part down to you and your GP or AME. You will need a fitness sign-off about 3 weeks before you travel.

Most of the trek route is a case of walking up and down steep trails through the mountain and river valleys leading to the Khumbu Glacier. You will need a good degree of general fitness and limb muscles capable of taking the impact of the terrain. You will also be carrying a daysack and traversing sometimes slippery routes. It is not a race and progress is steady but purposeful. You need to be well used to regular walking and should be the type of person who readily takes stairs rather than the lift during your training period.

The base camp trek is strenuous at times and you will need to be prepared for some hard work to get your reward. Panorama is less demanding, but is no 'walk in the park' - it is hard work in places, particularly for those who are not used to long days on their feet.

The fitter you are and healthier you keep yourself, the easier it will be. In Girlguiding terms, both are extreme expeditions, but it is a well trodden and proven path. If you are normally in good fitness, healthy and possess a 'can-do, will-do' attitude, you should have the basic attributes required.

Altitude Problem?

The higher altitudes can affect anyone, no matter how young, old, or fit they are. 

We will aim to summit at 4000m for Panorama and over 5545m on Kala Pattar, where there is far less oxygen than we are used to at our sea level home. 

We will, however, have periods of acclimatising to get there with two designated acclimatisation and rest days built into that base camp ascent itinerary. 

Clear advice is given by the trek Sirdar before we leave Kathmandu and this is based on the experience, guidance and advice from the world authorities at Everest Base Camp MD. Proper acclimatisation is essential for enjoyment, success and well being.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

As with anything Girlguiding, there is a comprehensive risk assessment built around the model of the Everest '07 Expedition. The majority of known risks have been planned-out, but any Himalaya trekking has a degree of risk which we have sought to minimise. The Sherpa and Himalaya Expeditions team are hugely experienced, resourceful and well connected. You will never be too far from assistance if needed. But you must remember this is a remote wilderness trek with associated risks. The most common of those, however, come from being foolhardy. We take group extreme activity insurance with extensive comprehensive cover for the parts that are most important. The Didit folk on each trek have been there often before and will be carrying the latest satellite communications kit and prior agreed procedures for dealing with most eventualities.