I think if the kids are that age and you’re not committing to Island Peak that sounds a lot more sensible. I’m scared of heights so haven’t done Island, but apparently there’s some serious stuff involved, like ice climbing and jumping crevasses – a 20ish guy I met was rather shaken by how dangerous it felt. You sound like you’ll be a lot better prepared than we were!

You could probably beat that price (around $100 per person per day on the EBC trek, right?) by going indie or semi-indie, but I don’t think it’s worth it if you want to do Island: also if there’s only one adult, you really want the support of professionals in case you get sick or incapacitated. I’d cut corners on a lot of things but not on mountaineering!

The cold will probably be your biggest issue, because it bites harder at altitude. Layering is key: liners under gloves, thermals under fleeces, body warmers, hat plus balaclava, multiple pairs of socks (women’s tights – pantyhose – are a very effective underlayer). Don’t rely on what Nepalese who are used to the cold think you need for the temperatures, but go way over: I’d consider investing in things like heat pads. I’ve camped in sub-zero conditions before (although not at any particular altitude) and it’s pretty bracing. Exciting!

Forgot to add … there will be just 3 of us … also all equipment included except the climbing boots which we can hire at Chukung… we have chatted with them a lot, they seem fine with the time of year, but shall reconfirm … maybe a week or 2 earlier if needed. Thanks

Hi, ok, got a quote from what seems a better qualified IP team ‘Himalayan Ecstasy Nepal ‘ ever heard of them, they lead at least 20 expeditions up IP each season and have 4 climbing guides based at Chukung and they are $700, involves 4 days extra, 1 day at least training and 1 weather day…… kids are 12 and 15, no real cold or high alt stuff…. plan is to see how we going on the trek up until that point, then decide on IP…. we been training, Mt batur, Mt agung, rinjani next month and one more before November along with at least 20/25k a week walks and start specific gym program soon. ….. re IP, they provide 2 guides for the climb for 3 of us, we camp one night at circa 5500m ……. also, they quoted me a not bad price for the whole trek, which with gokyo and Chola and IP, works out at around 23/24 days … price is 1050 for the trek, plus the IP section at 700, plus airfares at 330 ….. we had been planning independent, but at my budgeting we cannot seem to beat that price by much to make it worthwhile to deal with it independently….. what you think ?

$800 each for how many people? Is that $200 per person per day? How old are your kids? How much high-altitude stuff have they done? How about cold temperatures? Island Peak is pretty high for youngsters and I’d guess the high quote is for multiple sherpas so they can physically carry people off the mountain if required. Guiding prices would be higher for climbing sherpas, and there’s also equipment rental to bear in mind, plus high-altitude porters to carry up what you need to base camp. I don’t think it would be unreasonable to request a cost breakdown, but there may well be a danger premium in there for younger children. Are you still planning on starting in late November? It was -15C indoors during the day at Gorak Shep, which is almost 1,000 metres lower than the top of Island Peak in December, and altitude makes cold temperatures feel even colder.

Well we bought boots …kind of had too as will not be anywhere else beforehand with enough time to break in … waterproof gortex uppers and vibram souls…quality seems very good … I hope.

On another point re Island Peak … a company I have been in contact with and organising independent travel, we paying all as we go, but guides seem a bit more expensive daily rates … they quoted $800 each for the 3/4 day island peak section alone … does that sound right ? That section alone, all inclusive and with different guides to the rest of the trip and training days.

I’ve not been, but I wouldn’t trust anything bought in Bali in the sorts of temperatures you’ll be looking at at Gorak Shep in November or December. It’s a great home-school topic, though – lots to learn…

Cheers… yes making progress… have decided on last week November and 1st 2 of December should see it done. You live in Bali, have you visited the Eiger store on sunset, huge store with lots product… I am keen on their jackets and boots.. jackets from 400 to 800k idr. … boots 950k … lots of gear, just nothing much in kids sizes…. yes silly me forgot Nepalese kids need it too. So looking forward to it, my kids do homeschool so that’s the subject this week.

Hi Daryl,

Fakes worked for us trekking in late November/early December: it was -15 indoors at Gorak Shep on 12 December, so you do need the layers, especially bearing in mind that cold feels MUCH colder at altitude. Numbers have ticked up lately, so I definitely wouldn’t recommend October, as that’s peak, and if November is best for you I’d go with that. Nepalese kids need down jackets too, so you can buy down and gloves down to baby sizes.

Cheers,

Theodora

Not joining a group, doing our own thing and hiring guides etc, the total $$ does not in fact seem to save a lot, but flexibility and independence has always been our way.

Still confused about best time to go to get an all rounded experience, less crowds, good weather etc, some recommended March, others late November, others first 2 weeks of October. Anyone shed some real light on this ? We homeschool, live in Bali and very flexible. Ideally November would be good for us.

Another thing, being in bali, we have limited access to equipment, no thermals that I have found etc …closest seems Singapore. We intend to get what we can, when we can, especially boots and thermals now rather than wait for KTM. but the other main ticket items, fleeces, down waterproof jackets, pants, sleeping bags etc … I read these are abundant in KTM, but mostly fakes, but good to ok fakes and a minus 30 bag might only be minus 20 for example … is that really such a big deal ? I mean give or take minus 10 for us I am not sure we will notice as even 0 is going to be a shock. Same re jackets, can you actually get suitable gear there, also kids sizes is very important obviously…gloves etc.

Thanks again for all the input here. Daryl.