Is Everest base camp trekking safe? - Has anyone died in EBC Trek?
Is Everest base camp trekking safe?
Nepal is a paradise on Earth due to its serene natural beauty, cultural prosperity, traditional lifestyle, prolific hospitality, geographical diversity, and religious diversity. Back before 1949, Nepal was a restricted land for the outsiders; therefore it was unexposed and mysterious land in the world, and no one knew about Everest Base Camp Trek difficulty. EBC Trek is challenging, adventurous and strenuous therefore one needs to research on the topics, Is Everest base camp trekking safe?
When Maurice Herzog and team surmounted Mt. Annapurna in 1950; and Sir Edmund Hillary-Tenzing Norgay scaled Mt. Everest in 1953, Nepal was introduced in the world and started to become the most renowned destination among travelers and trekkers.
In recent days, Everest Base Camp Trek is the most popular Trek in Nepal; but trekking has been flourished in Nepal since the pioneer legendary mountain explorer, Colonel Jimmy Roberts officially introduced ‘Mountain Travel’ agency in Nepal in 1965. In past, trekking in the Himalayan region was unsafe due to un-trodden trekking trails, lack of expert guides, wild animals in trails, lack of weather knowledge, no tea houses or lodges, etc.
Absolutely, Everest Base Camp Trek is 99% safe if you trek with reputed and authorized Nepal based agency in the right seasons. Trekking in the Himalayas can be sometimes hazardous due to climate fluctuation climate, Acute Mountain Sickness, and Natural disasters; otherwise, Everest Base Camp Trek is.
Trekking in the Everest Region is the dream of many trekkers; and if you are an adventure seeker, what can be more adventurous than trekking to the base camp of the world’s highest Mt. Everest?
The Everest Region Trek is a non-technical but challenging trek that can be accomplished by any trekkers with some precautions, dedication and average physical stamina. MMT offers you the varieties of EBC Trekking package and we are committed to make the trek 100% successful and safe.
Is Everest base camp trekking safe? Has anyone died in EBC Trek?
Everest Base Camp Trek is a challenging and adventurous trek. If some precautions aren’t taken on time then EBC can be life-threatening too. But talking about the deaths in EBC Trek: There is no official record of death in Everest Base Camp Trek; so there is no factual number of dead trekkers. As reported by many agencies after various researches, the number of deaths in EBC Trail is about 3-5 trekkers out of 30,000 per year; which is not much in number.
In 2015 when Earthquake hit Nepal, almost 18 climbers died in Everest Base Camp due to Avalanche. It is one of the highest death tolls in EBC so far. Point to be noted that they were mountain climbers, not trekkers. Trekking in the higher altitude can raise the risk; yet if trekkers are aware and follow the safe trek, EBC can be accomplished in an easy, safe and convenient way.
Some factors which make Everest Base Camp Trek unsafe:
Acute Mountain Sickness:
While trekking above 4,000m in Everest – Three Passes Trek, some trekkers may notice difficulty in breathing due to lack of oxygen. In thin air, there is always the threat of AMS to the trekkers; so some precautions should be taken earlier than regretting later. If you find some symptoms of AMS like headache, nausea, short breath, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, etc then you need an urgent medical response or drop down to lower elevation. For further detail, check: How to avoid acute mountain sickness.
Unpredictable Climate:
The climate in the Himalayan region is unpredictable which increases the risk factor in EBC Trek. Climate is an important factor while trekking. If the climate is not favorable, trekkers can’t get pristine scenery. The trails also become worse due to rainfall and snowfall which makes the trek difficult and dangerous. Everest Helicopter Trekking Tour may also be affected due to worse weather conditions.
The heavy rainfall and snowfall makes the trails slippery or obstructs the trails due to landslide and avalanche. The misty climate also increases the risk of the plane crash and results in flight delay or cancellation; therefore trekkers need to keep the full weather update report while trekking in the Everest Base Camp Trails.
Off seasons:
Trekking in Nepal is possible in all four seasons; yet spring and autumn are considered as the peak trekking seasons whereas summer and winter are off-seasons. In spring and autumn, the weather is fine to trek; these are the seasons when mountains appear stupendous and the region remains tranquil.
Trekking Classic Everest Base Camp Trek or any other EBC Trek is comparatively riskier in off-seasons. In summer and winter seasons, the climate becomes unpredictable: the downpour, drizzle, heavy snowfall, foggy surrounding, etc makes the trek unsafe and annoying.
Trekking agencies:
If you fail to book the trek with an authorized trekking company, the trek will be unsuccessful and unsafe. Authorized agencies provide the well-trained guides who have knowledge about the trekking routes and Acute Mountain sickness. They also give you the prior training and guidance before Peak climbing and trekking. It is the guides and porters who can minimize the risk and make the trek safer. Also, the authorized companies customize the AMS friendly trekking packages, provide health services and even helicopter evacuation facilities.
How to minimize the risk of EBC Trek?
- Check Acute Mountain Sickness friendly EBC Trek Itinerary of the trek.
- Prefer the best trekking seasons (spring and autumn)if you want to trek safely.
- Hire the guides who have trails record and can lead you to EBC through safe trails.
- Always keep the weather record and trek only in fine weather conditions.
- Buffer days should be added on a scheduled date to minimize the risk.
- Focus on hygienic food; safe water and take plenty of rest to avoid Altitude sickness or any other health problems.
- Choose the authorized Nepal based trekking company and trek safely.
Final say:
Trekking in the Himalayan region is absolutely rewarding. The coruscating mountains, exquisite scenery, panoramic landscape, elegant nature, etc always entices the trekkers while trekking. The EBC Trek is always moderate to strenuous trek which can safely be accomplished by the trekkers of average physical fitness; but, if trekkers become carelessness and don’t follow safe trekking options, EBC Trek can be the biggest nightmare to them.
Nepal is always the dream destination; if some precautions are adopted and book the trek with genuine trekking agencies, Everest Base Camp will be the best experience of life. We are always eager to make your trek memorable, successful and safe. For further details and booking, please contact us.
