All Women Island Peak & Lobuche East expedition

Welcome to join us on a real expedition to the Himalayas! An outstanding hike through the world's highest cultural and natural landscape. Well acclimated, we then get to experience the shortness of breath and pains of high-altitude alpinism, but hopefully also its enormous satisfaction and magnificent view by climbing both Lobuche East 6119 m and Island Peak 6160 m.

Before our ascent, we hike up to Everest Basecamp via the most beautiful route over Gokyo Lake and spend the sunset on top of Kala Pathar overlooking the world's highest Mount Everest. We follow the traditional Everest trek back.

The entire tour is led by Emma Svensson, certified International Mountain Leader & AMGA apprentice alpine guide together with IFMGA guide during the summit days & local guides. Here you get to climb no less than two 6000 m peaks and two 5000 m peaks on the same expedition while reaching the legendary Everest base camp at 5364 m.

The climbing equipment will be sent by porter directly to our base camps. On the hike we will have the help of 1 porter/2 people. The porters take 15 kg for each of us. This means that we only need to carry the day's necessities, extra clothes, water, snacks, sunscreen, etc.

The hike starts in Lukla at an altitude of 2,800 m. We fly there in a small propeller plane, a fantastic flight and a memorable landing to say the least.

The day stages are relatively short during our hike, but they can feel tough due to the lack of oxygen and the fact that the terrain is constantly going up or down. The accommodation is simple but comfortable in lodges where we also have dinner (the menus have both traditional Nepali and Western food - with common sense, few will have stomach problems). We mostly sleep in double rooms. We also eat lunch and coffee in lodges along the way. To allow time for rest and acclimatization we will sleep two nights in a few places and of course we will try to adapt the trek to optimize the chances of the group reaching both Everest Base Camp and Lobuche East & Island Peaks summit.

 

 

The trek up towards Lobuche East and on to Everest base camp is in the Khumbu region of Nepal, home to the world-famous, friendly and cheerful high-altitude Sherpas. The hike is a cultural experience along the trails used by Sherpas and Tibetans for hundreds of years, and the accommodation in the often family-owned lodges gives a close insight into Nepalese life. After reaching the base camp, we then continue towards Lobuche East & Island Peak.

The nature experience offers great variety and unforgettable views. From leafy valleys to an almost sterile environment with only rock, snow and ice. From the foot of the Himalayas to the heart of the world's highest mountain range. The climate in autumn is very favorable for hiking and climbing. Nepal has a distinct monsoon season which gives way to sunny, stable weather at the end of September. October and November provide very little rainfall. Normally the days are clear. It can blow a little, but rarely really strongly. At the beginning of the trek and in Kathmandu during the day you can often walk in a t-shirt. Up to 4-5000 meters, long underpants and a hat are sometimes needed during the day and a down jacket in the evening. The night temperature is initially around a few plus degrees before being down to minus 10 degrees at altitude. 

 

 

 

Previous climbing experience is not a requirement. However, it is a big advantage to have climbed and used climbing equipment, walked with crampons and hiked on a glacier. A good preparation and basis of experience is to take part in our basic course in alpine climbing where we also climb Gran Paradiso or do our expedition training in Stockholm.

If you have not been at high altitude before, it is good that as few moments as possible are new before the ascent. However, the most important thing is to be in very good physical shape. It is difficult to say in advance how one will react to high altitude. The ability to tolerate the low amount of oxygen has nothing to do with fitness. But at the same time, good general physics is a prerequisite to cope with and also enjoy the trip to the fullest. 24 days of hiking up to over 6000 m can be very taxing both physically and mentally. The mental attitude benefits a lot from a good physique and also from a mental preparation that it will be difficult. The best training is, of course, to do the same activities as during the trip, but at home it is important to train a lot of fitness, running, cycling, downhill training etc. It includes a 16 week training program, developed by our lic PT who is also a mountaineer to help you prepare for the challenge. 

 

 

 

The amount of oxygen in the air at high altitude is still the same, about 20%. But the lower pressure means that there is less space between the air molecules and we inhale less air and consequently less oxygen in each breath. The body compensates for this, initially, by increasing the breathing and heart rate. Eventually, the body will also produce more red blood cells so that we can use more of the oxygen that we draw down into the lungs. As we go higher and higher, the body has a higher pressure than the surrounding air, which we also slowly adapt to.

The risk at high altitude is, among other things, that the cells' relative overpressure squeezes fluid from them that accumulates in the body. Normally, we urinate the excess, but if the fluid quickly accumulates in the brain or lungs, we get a headache or even more difficulty breathing, which untreated can lead to brain and lung edema, which can be life-threatening. The most common symptoms of incipient altitude sickness are headache and nausea. The best medicine is to descend to a lower altitude.

To avoid altitude sickness and to feel as good as possible at high altitude, the body must slowly adapt. A formula that works for most people is to not raise the sleeping altitude by more than 300-400 m per night above 3000 m. Unfortunately, not all villages and camps are so evenly distributed. Before a day hike with a large difference in sleeping height, you can therefore sleep two nights in the same place and during the day take an acclimatization walk to a higher altitude.

Our guides are experienced high altitude climbers and will do their best to ensure that everyone in the group is comfortable and able to enjoy the tour to the fullest. The guide will continuously check breathing rate and resting heart rate as well as the general condition of everyone in the group. It is important that everyone is honest about how they feel. 

 

 

 

You make your way to Kathmandu on your own, where you check into the hotel (part in double room). Our guide greets you when you arrive and does a gear check. In the evening we have a joint information meeting about the trip. You want to land in Nepal on this day, so if you fly from Sweden, you need to start your journey the day before. Maybe you want to come a day earlier to land and take it easy before the adventure begins.

Sightseeing, shopping or just resting during the morning. Today you also have time to do last minute errands if you need to before the expedition. After lunch we head to Ramechhap by car, it is from there that you fly to Lukla and the journey takes about 4-5 hours.

Early start to make it to Lukla before possibly. afternoon clouds move in. The landing in Lukla is weather-dependent and it happens that the flight is delayed. The flight is amazing. Sit on the left side for the best view of the Himalayas. The landing on the seemingly far too short and steep runway is a memory for life. Brunch in Lukla is followed by light trekking, mostly down lush hillsides above the Dudh Koshi River to Phakding.

At first easy hiking, but the last uphill to Namche, 600 meters in height, bites. Most people usually start to feel the lack of oxygen in the form of increased breathing. Slowly, slowly say the Nepalese.

Rest, shopping or acclimatization walk according to the high-altitude motto "walk high, sleep low". Namche is the capital of the Khumbu region. Here you can buy a down jacket, jewellery, eat pizza or have a beer. We do an acclimatization tour during the day but spend the rest of the time relaxing.

An incredible hike along the mountain side several hundred meters above the river. Just above Namche, perhaps the most magical mountain view on earth suddenly opens up. Straight before the eyes tower Mt Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. We have lunch in Mongla along the way and then continue to the small village of Dole where we spend the night. Now we are above 4000 m for the first time.

The path winds high up on the mountainside above the river. Culture gives way more and more to adventure. The evenings can be chilly, so the down jacket and thick socks in the sandals are welcome. Today we don't gain many meters of altitude, which is nice after yesterday's climb, but it is an easy trail and easy hiking.

Be prepared to be blown away when we reach the first of three turquoise lakes in Gokyo. It is so incredibly beautiful with the high mountains around us. Already during the hike, Cho Oyo will enthrone itself on the horizon, one of the world's 8,000-meter mountains. Gokyo will feel like a holiday resort compared to the small villages we passed along the way. Here we spend the night.

We spend the day taking it easy in Gokyo and getting some much needed rest. Here we will definitely notice the height. It's incredibly beautiful here so just strolling around the lakes is a perfect day activity.

We get up early to stand on top of Gokyo Ri at sunrise. Perfect trip to boost our acclimatization and it offers an absolutely fantastic view. Today's hike then goes over a glacial moraine and it feels like you're hiking on the moon. It is a short hike of only 2-3 hours which can be nice after gaining a bit of altitude.

Today's trek over Cho La Pass is one of the toughest days of this trip but also one of the most rewarding. Cho La Pass is at 5420 m so we come up higher than earlier in the day and as we hike down to Dzongla we have one of the most beautiful views in Nepal with Cholatse on the right, Ama Dablam in front of us and Lobuche East on the left.

We hike to the last village before Everest base camp. Here we spend the night and before that we do our best to rest a little before it is time to reach a first intermediate goal: Everest Basecamp!

It's almost unbelievable that, despite all the lodges and trails, it's so tough to get up just to base camp on a mountain, let alone climb Mt Everest, especially without oxygen. Everest is mainly climbed in the spring. There may be some expeditions in the base camp at this time. The infamous icefall, which is the first obstacle to overcome for Everest climbers, is hugely impressive with its crevasses and ice towers in one jumble. We spend the night in Gorak Shep.

Here is the opportunity for those who want to go up Kala Pathar at sunset and the view with alpenglow over Everest is absolutely magnificent!

 

 

We hike up to the high camp at Lobuche. A hike of about 4 hours. You only carry a daypack, your porters help carry the equipment. Up here we take it easy for the rest of the day. We spend the night in tents.

Today is a rest day before the summit climb. We train with crampons and ice axes and fixed ropes to be as prepared as possible before the big challenge. We spend the night in tents.

Today is the time for summit climbing! We make an alpine start and in the light of our headlamps we head upwards. After about an hour we reach the glacier where we put on our crampons. We then continue up over snowfields and rocks using fixed ropes where necessary. At sunrise we should have reached the crest and there we have an absolutely incredible view of all the peaks around us: Everest, Lhotse, Nupste & Ama Dablam among others!

The last bit up to the summit ridge may have a tricky glacier crevasse but again you are secured by ropes as you maneuver your way over it. We take another route down to end the day in Dingbouche.

Today we have a well-deserved rest day in Dingbouche after yesterday's summit climb. You can take the opportunity to rest properly, eat well and maybe take a shower! This day can also be used as a weather day if necessary.

The day hike goes to Island Peaks basecamp where we spend the night. We have now left the comfort of the lodges behind us and will spend the next few nights in tents.

We wake up early, around 01:00 for an alpine start. After breakfast, it takes off towards the top in the light of the headlamp. We walk over some loose rocks until we get to the crampon point where the glacier begins and we put on the crampons and harnesses to walk in rope teams until the last steep where there are fixed ropes. Once up on the ridge, it's a short exposed ridge hike before you stand on the top of Island Peak 6160 m. After the summit we make our way back down to base camp.

Sometimes you need an extra day. It may be due to the weather or that the body needs it. In any case, it's nice to have them. If nothing else to be able to have an extra day of rest after the summit before starting the hike home again. So to make the expedition as good as possible for you guests who took your time and to travel to the other side of the world, we want to have this opportunity, to have a little extra time if needed. If we managed the summit the day before, we go down to Chukkung or Dingbouche for a little better rest.

We begin the hike back to Lukla. The first day, do not go extremely downhill, but in a pleasant slope down to Pangbouche at 3900 m where we spend the night.

It will feel like we are back in civilization again when we reach Namche! Would you like a massage? Go to the Irish pub? A massage at their spa? The possibilities are endless! Here we stay overnight.

The last walk. It's a bit tough but it will be so nice when you get there. You did it! Now you hardly need to take another step.

We take the morning flight back to Ramechhap and then drive to Kathmandu where we check into a hotel. A real shower! Restaurants that don't just serve Dal Bhat! You spend the day resting just as much as you want.

One last free day in Kathmandu before it's time to round off the adventure. Do you want to go to the spa? Shopping in Thamel? Sightseeing? Just chilling at the hotel? You choose what you want to come up with!

 

 

You need to have the following personal equipment with you, this is not included in the course fee.

Clothes

• Wind and waterproof jacket with hood and trousers

• Thin down jacket

• Thick down jacket

• 2 underpants and sweater in wool or synthetic of different thickness

• Sweater, eg fleece

• Windproof hiking pants

• 3 pairs of woolen socks

• 2 pairs of gloves of different thickness (possibly 1 pair of gloves and a pair of mittens)

• Gaiters

• Hat

• Alpine boots

• Hiking shoes

• Sandals/slippers

Miscellaneous

• Backpack 30-40 litres

• Durable bag for equipment to be carried by porters. For example Duffel bag 80-120 litres

• Sleeping bag approx -20 C to -30 C

• Glacier sunglasses

• Headlamp

• Water bottle

• Hiking Poles

• Water purification, eg Xinix Aqua Care

• Abrasion plasters, headache tablets, hygiene items including wet wipes/alcohol gel

• Towel

• Buff to warm or sun protect the neck/neck and for the nose against dusty yak encounters

• Snacks

Climbing equipment:

• Crampons

• Ice axe

• Helmet

• Harness

• Locking Carabiners x 3

• 120 cm sling x 2

• Ascender / Jumar

The following are good to have but not a must:

• Shorts

• T-shirt

• Balaclava

• Camera

• Earplugs

• Book, music, games

• Professional guidance and instructions by Emma Svensson, certified International Mountain Leader

• IFMGA guide during peak days

• Sherpas, local climbing guides (of which at least one female guide)

• Local trekking guides and porters

• Accommodation throughout the trip (Hotel Kathmandu, Lodges along the trek, tents in base camp)

• All meals excluding lunch and dinner in Kathmandu

• All transport in Nepal including domestic flights and travel to and from Ramechhap

• 16 week training program

• Documentation of the trip by a professional photographer

• An online meeting with lectures on acclimatization, high altitude and review of our expedition where you can ask all the questions you want to our guides.

 

• Flights to/from Nepal

• Lunch and dinners in Kathmandu

• Alcohol, soft drinks, bottled water during the trip

• Tips

• Insurance (personal accident insurance)

• Visa

• Wifi and charging in the lodge (available for purchase)

We aim for as many as possible in our guide team to be women on this trip, but since there are few female climbing guides in Nepal, perhaps not all of them will be able to be. It is unfortunately a widespread problem throughout the world and we hope that more girls will choose to invest in becoming climbing guides in the future and hope that our request to our local partner for as many female guides as possible means that there is an increased demand. The most important thing is that the guides we work with are experienced and reliable and therefore during the summit days we will also be accompanied by an IFMGA guide. Your female expedition leader participates throughout the trip.