Weather, altitude sickness, acclimatization, and emergencies

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While traveling alone in Nepal, you should be aware of the health problems you might face. 
When you go trekking, you need to be fully aware of the risks of traveling in the higher altitudes. You should also prevent yourself from drinking water from random sources. As it has chances of being polluted, you should stick to bottled waters.

As the treks are above 3500 m, altitude sickness is a possibility. Trekking is an adventure of a lifetime, but you never know when hazard strikes. Hence, it is better to be insured, and it is compulsory in some cases.

What is the daily weather on Everest? 

The average temperature at the Everest Base Camp is about 12°C during the daytime. The camp region is fairly dry, and the average rainfall in the base camp is 18 inches. More than 80% of rainfall occurs during the monsoon season from June to September.

Is it safe to go to Everest Base Camp? 

Trekking to Everest Base Camp is fairly safe if adequate acclimatization is allowed. Even children over ten years old can do it.

What is altitude sickness on Everest? 

The air pressure drops when hiking at high altitudes, and the oxygen level decreases accordingly. Symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and nausea may occur. This is altitude sickness. However, serious symptoms may occur, such as water accumulation in the lungs and brain. These cases can be life-threatening. So you need to adapt your body to the environment before you go hiking. If you experience these symptoms, you should move back to a lower altitude to rest.

How common is altitude sickness at Everest Base Camp?

Altitude sickness is unpredictable; however, extreme cases of altitude sickness are rare.

How do you prevent altitude sickness at Everest Base Camp?

Medications can also be taken to help your body get used to higher altitudes. Ibuprofen is recommended in many cases, but you should consult your doctor before taking it.

Do you need to acclimate to Everest Base Camp Trek?

Yes, acclimatization is of utmost importance for the EBC trek.

Emergencies on Everest Base camp trek 

If there are emergencies on the EBC trek, helicopters can be chartered. A single helicopter charter costs around USD 3500, so it is necessary to have insurance just in case.

How to prevent altitude sickness naturally?

Hydration is necessary to prevent altitude sickness naturally. Drinking alcohol or coffee can cause dehydration. Therefore, it is necessary to control excessive alcohol consumption. Avoid unsafe drinking water. Therefore, use only boiling or filtered water. Likewise, it is essential to allow acclimatization. Try not to keep your trip short; allow days of rest and acclimatization.

Medical and health facilities 

There is a hospital in Kunde village at 3,840 m/ 12598 ft. Founded in 1966 by Sir Edmund Hillary at the request of the Sherpa community, Khunde hospital is a 15-bed hospital that provides OPD services, maternal and child health services, inpatient and outpatient services.

The Himalayan Rescue Association has an aid post in the village of Pheriche (4,250 m/ 13,944 ft) provided by a helipad and has a permanent building as a clinic. For emergencies, a helicopter charter is available to rescue people on adventures. The Himalayan Rescue Association operates base camps during the main climbing season in April / May.

Travel insurance

The travel insurance must cover medical expenses, helicopter evacuation, and cancellation outside control, such as weather conditions. Traveling to Nepal, the insurance should ideally include medical expenses, delayed departure, accidents and liability, lost baggage claim, etc. In the case of trekking, it is necessary to include insurance that has considered repatriation and helicopter rescue in high-altitude treks.

Do I need travel insurance for a visa?

You do not need insurance to get a visa in Nepal.