Expedition FAQs

Expedition FAQs of Nepal

* What types of documentation do I need to provide?
* Completed Application
* Endorsement of the National Alpine Club. (If there is no Alpine Club, endorsement of the Government of your side)
* Short bio-data of all members of the expedition (with passport size photograph)
* Map and/ or photograph of the mountain including climbing route.
* Approach route map.
* Submit the application through your handling agent in Nepal.

* What types of physical fitness required for mountaineering?
It is imperative that everyone joining a mountaineering expedition be in a high standard of physical fitness when the expedition begins. The amount of time needed for training is completely dependent on the general level of fitness a person is in prior to the expedition. Consider, when setting up your program that you will need to develop the endurance to carry a 50 lb. pack, wearing climbing boots, for 6-8 hours per day. Though it is impossible to train for altitude you can put yourself on a conditioning program that will best prepare you for this type of physical stress.

* Train for developing stamina: Running, biking, skiing and fast walking. Vary your routine to prevent overuse injuries and push yourself without injuring yourself. Do warm up and cool down stretches.

* Progressive resistance weight training: This type of training improves anaerobic metabolism that feeds much of muscular work. This type of human energy production is fed by stored carbohydrates that require no additional oxygen to metabolize.

* Train on hills or stairs with a pack on: You must be prepared for 13,000 of uphill wearing a 50 lb. pack and 13,000 of downhill. Start with a light pack and gradually increase the weight. Never run with a pack on.

* Wear 2 lb. ankle weights to help condition for the extra weight of climbing boots, soft snow and loose screed.

* Train as often as possible by skiing or hiking for all day, weekend or longer trips. Train for what you are going to do! If you want to be good at climbing big mountains with a big pack on, start on little mountains with a small pack on and work your way up. Conditioning by climbing is the best thing you can do. Get comfortable moving in mountainous terrain all day long!! Heavy packs tend to tire climbers the most. Be prepared by training ahead of time and you will do fine. Don t expects to get used to wearing a pack while you are on the expedition.

* Be mentally prepared for the expedition. Know before you start the climb and accept the fact that at times you will be uncomfortable and that your body is going to be uncooperative. You are going to have to push yourself. If you don’t have the ability to do this you won’t be successful. You may be in a cramped tent for many storm days. You are leaving the comforts of home in order to experience a unique challenge and a remarkable mountain. It is worth it!

* You must also be well enough in tunes with yourself to know the difference between pushing yourself and acute mountain sickness, pulmonary or cerebral edema. These are all serious altitude related problems which must be acknowledged. It is possible to push yourself too far. For the safety of the team, the chief guide will make a final decision on who needs a rest day, who continues to ascend or who descends.

* A good diet cannot be underestimated. Research out a diet that will help develop stamina and strength and that you can live with. There are lots of books and articles that will get you started or consult professional nutritionist that has worked with athletes.

This type of training can easily take two hours per day, 5 days a week. Be committed to it and be consistent. It will pay off many times over!

We hope this gives you ideas on which to base your training schedule. We recommend talking to a professional exercise physiologist and setting up a conditioning program that you can incorporate into your daily routine which will meet these goals. Start today with your training and keep it up.

* When is best time to Climbing?
Expeditions can be carried out throughout the year. For the highest peaks the latter part of the spring season is the most popular since weather and snow conditions are more predictable at this time. Winter season is sometimes possible but weather conditions usually make successful attempts unlikely.

* How physically fit do I have to be?
You should be in the best shape of your life! Nepal Adventure Point encourages all clients to adequately prepare both mentally and physically, for the trip to ensure that the individual and the group are set up for success. The better overall health and physical conditioning clients have, the more enjoying the experience.

* How long is a typical day on the mountain?
It depends on the day and your level of acclimatization. At the beginning of the trip, everything seems slower and longer, but as you get more adjusted to the mountain, the days go quicker. Average days can be 5-10 hours long. Summit day can be up to 12-20 hours long.

* How many climbers will be on this expedition?
We have a maximum of 7-10 members on our Everest expedition. This is to ensure we can maintain safety and our attention to detail. There may be more in base camp and in the camps on the mountain if there are private expeditions, but they will generally travel separately from the main team.

* Who is the expedition leader?
Nepal Adventure Point is led by experienced, capable, first-aid qualified and personable leaders. On Himalayan climbing adventures your leader will have specialist experience in climbing expeditions. Our leaders are supported by friendly, competent and local staff: trained and qualified Climbing Sherpas and cooks and support staff. We have helped our senior staff to build their skills and competencies through formal and informal training and immersion in our high-quality well-led adventures and encourage them to keep learning and growing.

* What gear do you provide?
We provide individual sleeping tents for the trekking phase of most climbing expeditions, with dining and kitchen tents. Our climbing teams are equipped with emergency communications and first aid equipment as well as more prosaic things like climbing and cooking gear.

* What is my chance of successfully reaching the summit?
In the world of mountaineering, there are no guarantees in reaching the summit. There are many uncontrollable and unpredictable elements in mountaineering. We will strive to manage as many of these as possible and provide each client with a summit attempt.

* How much will my pack weigh?
During the trek and climb team members will only be carrying gear and supplies for the day. At no point do we carry camping gear or equipment for overnight. During the trek daypacks will weigh no more than 20 lbs. and during the climb the packs will weigh no more than 30 lbs.

* What will the meals on the expedition be like?
Meals in the mountains consist of a diet rich in carbohydrates because our bodies do not process fat and protein efficiently at higher elevations and to compensate the increase in caloric need that high altitude climbing involves. We try to make meals and breakfast varied and as normal as possible. During the trek we will be served meals in the teahouses but prepared by our own staff. Meals during the trek and climbing period will typical meals such as rice, pasta or potato dishes along with vegetable and egg dishes. During lunches we will also have a cooked meal. Above base camp climbing food mainly consists of dried meals such as pastas or rice.

* How is drinking water treated?
During the trek we will provide unlimited amounts of boiled water at mealtimes. Team members can fill up water bottles at meals. Bottled water can also be purchased in teahouses at additional cost. Water that can be treated is nearly ever present along the trekking route and in base camp water will be boiled

* What are the controls articles to use communication devices for expedition?
Walkie-talkies and other communication equipment are controlled articles in Nepal. Please declare these articles in the customs office (at entry point) that you wish to bring into Nepal for use during climbing period. Such equipments have to be collected from the customs office by receiving permission letter from the Ministry of communication. For the clearance of the equipment completed application form and invoice with catalogue or specifications (four copies each) should be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism and to your handling agent in Nepal.

* Permission is required for filming or Documentary?
Permission is required for filming or documentary. The Ministry of Communication must be contacted any time for queries about filming in Nepal. Please let us know we will take care of every thing here in Nepal.

* Liaison Officer is requiring for expedition?
Many peaks do not require a Liaison officer. However, wherever required, the expedition team must cover all costs of the Liaison officer. This includes wages, equipment allowance, transport, food and accommodation for the entire expedition period. The Liaison officer must also be insured against accident.

* What are the medical examination and insurance do we required? 
Expedition members will be provided with a medical questionnaire by the expedition doctor and asked to visit their family physician to receive a full medical examination. This information will be sighted only by the expedition doctor and treated with full confidentiality. Advice on immunizations will be provided at this time. We also require members to have rescue insurance

* What will happen if someone on my expedition get sick, will I lose my summit opportunity?
Client safety is our number one priority. If an expedition member gets sick, it is the guide’s responsibility to assess what resources will need to be called on for a safe evacuation. If conditions allow, one guide can escort down an expedition member. If conditions do not allow, you may be required to participate in a group evacuation. Nepal Adventure Point will make every effort to provide a summit attempt for every team member.

* What if I get sick or have an accident?
Despite the best precautions, people do sometimes fall ill, sprain something or develop symptoms of AMS. Our expedition leaders will manage your care keeping in mind what's best for you and the rest of the group. Our precautions include first aid qualifications and kits, emergency communications, evacuation plans, your travel insurance cover and our pre-preparation and medical advisors.

* What type of communication is available on the expedition?
We have one of the most sophisticated communication systems around. Email, phone calls, and even skype video calls are available at base camp for a fee and we power our whole set up with solar, using generators only as backup. On the mountain, we discourage phone calls as they distract from the climb and we often are limited by our power availability. If you need a private communications setup, this is also possible for a fee. Contact our office for details.

* What do I need to know about altitude related illnesses?
Climbing at altitude is different for every person. Some people will be affected by altitude at 8,000 feet others at 20,000 feet. Nepal Adventure Point’s guides have a regimented acclimatizing schedule, which each client will be required to participate in. Although we take every measure to ensure each clients health at altitude, there are risks involved.

* What happens if I need to leave the expedition early?
Communication is sometimes difficult in the mountains. However our guides and local staff will make the necessary efforts to obtain the necessary transportation and reservations to get you home as quickly as possible if for any reason you need to depart early.

* Who will be responsible for my safety?
Your expedition leader is responsible for the group including participants and staff. He or she will advise, manage and assist everyone, sometimes with the support of an expedition first abider or doctor, and will be assisted by guides, Sherpas, Nepal Adventure Point’s staff, and you and your climbing colleagues, all of whom will have roles to play.

* What is the range of tipping in Nepal? 
Although tipping is not customary and is entirely optional, it is expected by people who will take care of you during your travels. Our Leader/Guide will pass round a collection for tips for the local operator team as a way of saying thanks you for a job well done. The amount is a purely personal decision but on average is around for tipping drivers and local guides would range from US$ 1-2 per person per sightseeing day depending on the quality and length of the service, for porters during the trekking portion of your trip, the recommended amount is US$ 3-5 per person per day; ask your tour leader/Guide for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your Nepal Adventures Point tour leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. Even though the amount to tip is entirely a personal preference; as a guideline US$ 5-7 per person, per day can be used.
 

* How to join this expedition?
If you would like to join the expedition please request an expedition application form and forward along with your climbing résumé and the deposit for the trip. If you require more information please contact us at; nap@wlink.com.np


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