Last Updated on September 6, 2022 by Alpha Adventure Treks
Do you have a lifelong desire to visit Mount Everest’s base camp but were unable to do so when you were younger due to a lack of time? And now that you’re retired, you still want to do it but are unsure if you can give your advanced age. An excellent hiking excursion to see the foothills of Mount Everest is the Everest Base Camp Trek. All hikers have the goal of visiting Mount Everest Base Camp at least once in their lives. The hike to Everest base camp is undoubtedly an exploration of the planet’s magnificent towering Himalayan peaks, enormous glaciers, the peculiar Sherpa culture, heroic mountaineers of folklore, and the distinctive Himalayan scenery with its imperiled flora and fauna.
For youthful, fitter, and more active people, there are various faster-moving Everest Trekking programs; but, if you’re over 50 or under 16, the 20-day Everest Base Camp Trek for Elderly program is the best option. At this age, go on an adventure, feel the thrill, and walk the longest walk in Sir Edmund Hillary’s footsteps. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Sagarmatha National Park while seeing the strength and elegance of the majestic Everest up close. Discover Kathmandu’s historical gems over the course of two days. Stay in communities surrounded by towering, craggy peaks; learn about the Sherpa culture; and traverse paths lined with mani stones bearing Tibetan Buddhist prayers.
Everest Base Camp trek for Seniors: How to Prepare
The Inca Trail in Peru and Nepal’s hiking routes are relatively comparable. While there are challenging and exhausting trekking paths in Nepal, there are also many less challenging treks that can be completed by people of various ages, experience levels, and ethnicities. Elderly people can still enjoy a trek without experiencing any difficulties. In this post, we’ll talk about how senior citizens can be ready for the Everest Base Camp Trek, which is the most well-known and stunning trekking route in the entire world.
Exercise:
The base camp expedition’s long days of hiking over trans-Himalayan terrain are one of its distinguishing characteristics. The expedition begins with a flight to Lukla in the Khumbu region from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. It is a gentle ascent from Lukla that culminates at the base camp of the tallest mountain peak in the world. Most senior persons are not able to complete long hours (six to seven hours) of hiking, especially at a terrain that is uneven and moving uphill. However, being in shape before the vacation can really assist. Simple aerobic activities performed frequently can really aid the body in adjusting to the demands of the journey. The body may prepare for the trip with even modest regular exercise routines like walking.
Eating Healthy:
Developing healthy eating habits not only helps with the base camp journey, but also with the overall aspect of life in general. Likewise, it is important to eat healthy while on the trip, in order to maintain a good health condition. Elderly men are more prone to getting high altitude mountain sickness than other people. You need energy to be able to continue the trip. Loss of appetite is one of the symptoms of altitude sickness. If you do not eat, you will find it more difficult to complete the journey. For this reason, eating substantial meals and drinking enough water are crucial components of successfully reaching the base camp without issues.
Acclimatization:
The process of allowing your body to adapt to high altitude conditions is called acclimatization. Not just for the elderly, but for hikers of all ages, it is crucial to properly acclimatize. You are more susceptible to becoming mountain sick without acclimatization. Elderly hikers still need to acclimatize even if they can travel more slowly than younger, more active trekkers. While trekking, villages like Namche Bazaar and Dingboche are excellent places to stay overnight. The journey doesn’t need to be hurried. Rushing the trip can sometimes do more harm than good. The best way to do the hike is at your own relaxed speed. In this manner, not only will you reduce your risk of developing AMS, but you may also take in the breathtaking Himalayan panorama.
Keep Yourself Warm:
There is no need to describe how frigid the Himalayas can get. The decrease in temperature and increase in altitude are correlated. 5,364 meters above sea level is the highest point reached on the trek to Everest base camp. It goes without saying that it gets very cold, especially in the evening. Because of this, it’s crucial to maintain a proper level of heat. While trekking, older men can bring hot water bags with them. You could object, “But how can you get hot water in the highlands. Every guesthouse and resort in every village in the Khumbu offers hot water (at various, relatively cheap prices). Ask, and hot water will be made available to you.
Choose the Right Time:
There are particular seasons of the year when it is preferable to travel than others, even though the major season for EBC goes from April to the end of October. The greatest periods to travel on the plateau are in the spring and fall, from around mid-April to early June and from September to the end of October. The sky is clear and brilliant, and it’s warm enough to feel comfortable. Some areas of the plateau can get a little damp during the summer, and due to the monsoon clouds, it is not always possible to see Mount Everest’s peak. But since it may get very cold in the west from November to March, winter is not the best season to travel.
Is it Safe for Seniors or the Elderly to Visit EBC?
Visits to EBC are as risk-free as those to your local hiking trail or the closest spot of breathtaking natural beauty at home. And we’ve had more than our fair share of retirees take on the difficult journey to base camp. He still had to prepare physically for the longest walk he had ever undertaken. Walking three times per week for 12–14 kilometers. But not everyone in their golden years has a fitness addiction. So, regardless of your age, if you still have the need to travel and want to visit Mount Everest, you can rest certain that it is completely safe.
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