Everest Basecamp Trek & Gokyo & Luboche Climb with Dr. Jon’s Adventures
Everest Basecamp Trek & Gokyo & Luboche Climb with Dr. Jon’s Adventures
by Dr Jon Kedrowski
*From the Summit of Luboche Peak to the lower valleys of the Khumbu, and up to Everest Basecamp- I wore my Zeal sunglasses on this summit and every day on this expedition. Reliable, comfortable, sustainable, that's why I love Zeal Optics! visit www.zealoptics.com for the best in sustainable eyewear that can be used throughout the Himalayas on your next adventure.
I just returned from Everest Basecamp and nearly three weeks in the Himalayas.
Last year I guided my friend and client Mike Posner to the summit of Everest after he trained with me for nearly two years. You can check out a recent music video he released about that experience:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdfgV-ZCnYw
This Spring I was back in the Himalaya leading another one of my custom groups through the trek to basecamp and into other corners of the region. I was excited to be back in Nepal, but without the prolonged pressure of staying to complete another climb of Everest. After two 8000m expeditions to the two highest mountains in the world in 2021 (K2 and Everest). I was ready for a fun trip in Nepal, taking in the culture, visiting monasteries, seeing old friends, and enjoying the journey.
The highlights of our basecamp trek is that we utilize small groups to visit monasteries, cultural sites, and local villages. Along the way the Himalayas are stunning. One of my favorite mornings is the Helipad Yoga in Namche. The spring the Rhododendron were in peak bloom, so that was spectacular as well.
Further up the Khumbu Valley, we are treated to a day hiking 16,700’ Nangtarshang Ri, with excellent sightings of Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, and Makalu. We also stopped at the Italian Research Pyramid where we were given a great tour of the facility. The EV-K2-CNR facility is well known for it’s weather and climate research, and is situated near the Luboche Glacier at 16,200’.
Our basecamp day started early as I took members to the 18,500’ viewpoint known as Kala Patthar. After a calm morning sunrise, we descended through some glacial terrain and found ourselves in Everest Basecamp by mid – morning. The rock entrance to basecamp greeted us. What makes our trek to Everest Basecamp unique is that we get to have lunch in Basecamp when other trekking groups have to leave and aren’t permitted to enter the basecamp.
In 2023 we will also be offering our spring trek in April where we will actally spend 1 night in the basecamp. It’s always super fun to brush elbows with other Everest climbers and take in the culture of climbing the highest mountain in the world without actually having to go above basecamp. Our basecamp amenities include private individual tents, a dome heated dining tent, and a full cook and kitchen staff. We also have a shower tent, toilet tents, and even a recreational dome tent for reading and relaxing. There is even a coffee shop tent nearby!
After leaving basecamp and saying goodbye, the majority of our trekkers headed down valley. I took two of our climbers to Luboche high camp at 17,000’ where we prepared for an ascent of 20,000’ Luboche peak. Climbing this peak is a nice test of the technical crampon and ice axe along with some of the finest fixed rope climbing the Himalayas have to offer.After a summit of Luboche, the trip was rounded out by crossing of 17,600’ Cho La and 17,750’ Renjo La, and a 2 day visit to the famous Gokyo Lakes.
By the end of the journey, so many vistas of Mount Everest turned out the be the highlight along the Gokyo circuit.
Get in touch for Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 Everest basecamp Trek options with Dr Jon’s Adventures! Start with a visit to our base camp trekking page.
