My Dream Trip

My dream trip is to climb mount Everest

Facts Should consider

·       Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on earth.

·         Mount Everest lies on the border of China and Nepal in the heart of the Himalayan mountain chain.

·         Sherpas inhabit the Khumbu valley, which lies on the south side of Mount Everest, and have played a crucial role in the success of almost all Everest expeditions.

·         Mount Everest is the only of the Seven Summits that is directly affected by the jetstream winds because of its immense height.

·       Altitude: 29,035 feet (8850m)

·       Summit GPS Waypoints: n2759.28677,  e8655.51464

·       Elevation Gain: (base camp to summit) South ridge route: 11,560 feet (3523m), plus 8980 feet (2737m) on trekking approach (total 20,540 feet, 6260m) Northeast ridge route: 11,445feet(3489m)

·       Distance: (base camp to summit) South ridge route:  12.5miles (20km), plus 50miles  (80km) on trekking approach (total 62.5miles, 100km) Northeast ridge route: 22.75miles (36.5km)

·       Difficulty Ratings: Technical: 4, Physical: 5

·       Time: (door to door) South ridge route: 57 days; Northeast ridge route: 58days

·       Season: April 1–June 1, September–October

Mount Everest is one of the most iconic symbols in the world. Whether you are a climber or not, you will undoubtedly have heard of Mount Everest and the climbing lore and reputation that goes with it. Mount Everest has pervaded popular culture, and the recent climbing boom has made Everest a household name. Mount Everest is certainly the most well known of the Seven Summits and the crowning achievement of the quest to climb them all. Mount Everest lies on the border between China and Nepal, which marks the crest of the Himalayan mountain chain that stretches from Pakistan in the west some 1800 miles (3000 km) east to Bhutan and China. The world’s largest mountain chain, it is still growing. The word Himalaya comes from the Sanskrit words him, meaning “snow,” and alaya, meaning “abode.” Other names for the mountain include Chomolungma (Tibetan) and Sagarmatha (Sanskrit).

The Nepalese part of the Himalayan chain includes eight of the fourteen 26,000-foot (8000 m) peaks. Mount Everest isn’t alone in dominating this great chain of mountains. Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu, and Kangchenjunga, the world’s fourth, sixth, fifth, and third-tallest mountains, all lie within the immediate vicinity.

THE SKILLS I NEED TO IMPROVE

• i. how to fit and adjust a rock climbing harness

• ii. how to fit and adjust a rock climbing helmet

• iii. how to tie in to the end of the rope with a rethreaded figure of 8 knot and a stopper knot

• iv. have an understanding of the differences between ‘snap gate,’ ‘locking’ and ‘twist lock’ karabiners – when and where to use them and their potential drawbacks when used inappropriately. Attention to be drawn to the danger of a 3 way load.

• v. how to use a belay plate to safeguard the leader and how to hold a small slip or fall

• vi. understand the concept of belay plate orientation (depending on the type of device and your type of harness and depends on whether it is orientated up / down or left / right – there are very subtle differences and sometimes it is easy to have the belay plate incorrectly orientated and thus compromise its effectiveness)

• vii. how to tie and adjust a clove hitch

• viii. how to uncoil and prepare the rope for a climbing session