One of the most famous trails in the world, Everest Base Camp (EBC) Trek brings you to face to face with the world’s highest mountain – Mt. Everest (8848m). The mountain was first summited in 1953 by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary. Since then, people have traveled from all over the world to get a glimpse of the legendary mountain. The Everest Base Camp Trek lies within Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and the world’s highest national park.
The park includes numerous snow-capped mountains, glaciers, valleys, lakes, trails, and is home to the Sherpa people. If we’re lucky we may run into one of the rare animal species that inhabit the Khumbu region. Everest Base Camp Trek is a physically demanding journey that requires good fitness and acclimatization but is incredibly rewarding. As we climb higher into the mountains, our spirits are filled with the energy that the mountains give us.
Day by day this trek is being popular to the people around the world! Every family has a dream to explore a new place on their vacation! And I have seen without research, some family have tried to do Everest Base Camp trek with their little Kids and had to back with a bad experience! So as I saw and as I have a long experience with the Himalaya I am going to let you know here below.
Things to Know Before Your Family Trip to Everest Base Camp
If you are planning to do a trek with your kids, please make sure that your kids are physically and mentally prepared or not for the trip! It's better to do a full health check before you start your adventure. If your kids haven’t attended any adventurous activities in the past I would not recommend this trip for your kids.
Where does the kid start to feel the Altitude?
Normally people start to feel less oxygen above 3000m But the kids might fell it from 2000m! It depends on which altitude are you from!
Altitude Sickness:
Altitude sickness is a common word in the high Himalaya! When people go above 4000m without having rest those might get very soon. Also, it depends on your health condition. If you are having some problems before your adventure your body would be very tired in the mountain and your body starts to seek more oxygen, then when your body does not get enough oxygen you start to fell it!
Why does it happen?
The pressure of the air that surrounds you is called barometric pressure. When you go to higher mountains, this pressure drops and there is less oxygen available in your body. If you live in a place that’s located at a moderately high altitude above 3000m, you get used to the air pressure. But if you travel to a place at a higher altitude than you’re used to, your body will need time to adjust to the change in pressure.
Types of Altitude Sickness:
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the mildest form and it’s very common. The symptoms can feel like a hangover – dizziness, headache, muscle aches, nausea. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is a buildup of fluid in the lungs that can be very dangerous and even life-threatening. High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) is a severe form of altitude sickness is high altitude cerebral edema, in which fluid builds up within the brain. As the brain swells with fluid, the person's mental state changes. Loss of coordination, coma, and, finally, death can follow unless the problem is recognized and treated promptly.
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness:
• A headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue and loss of energy
• Shortness of breath
• Problems with sleep
• Loss of appetite
What to do if you or your kid get altitude sickness?
Mountain sickness is very dangerous if you don’t have an idea about it! So if you or your kids get the symptoms as I described early please descend 500m as soon as possible( by riding a horse, Carried by porters or by helicopters). It is not good to stay at the same elevation after you get the altitude sickness symptoms.
What must carry with you?
Well, it is a common problem to select the right and usable things with us in our trek! I also used to carry lots of unnecessary clothes, gadgets, foods,… ! But now after a long experience in trekking field can advise you what is useful in the mountain? and what you must carry with you!
Warm clothes
Dry foods
Power bank or Solar charger
An extra light sport shoes
Sun Glass
Suns cream
Conclusion :
It is good to travel with your kids which helps them to get global knowledge! But, before you start your travel or trekking please get some basic knowledge and know about the place that you are going with your family. For your safety and full of joyful adventure please contact us. Our very experienced guide will help to reach on your goal!
