Autumn – Winter Pre-Trip Newsletter for November, December and January Nepal Trips

Autumn – Winter Pre-Trip Newsletter for November, December and January Nepal Trips

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Dear Friends, Climbers and Walkers. I am Dan Mazur, one of the Ama Dablam, Lobuche,Island Peak and Everest Base Camp walk leaders at www.SummitClimb.com and www.SummitTrek.com .

This is the pre-trip newsletter for men and women of all ages from around the world joining our November, December, and January expeditions and walks.
How has 2021been for you so far? I hope you are preparing for the mountains, staying fit, walking and climbing in your local hills, not working too hard and relaxing with family, friends and colleagues.

So far, our 2021 has been pretty good. We have been running treks and climbs to Nepal continuously  throughout the year. One of our 2021 highlights happened on 24 May when 8 members of our team reached the summit of Everest. We had an excellent Spring 2021 climbing and trekking season. Everyone had fun, everyone achieved their goals, we were very careful, no one got Covid!

We send this Autumn – Winter pre-trip newsletter to you in case you are already a member, are still thinking of joining, or wish to read about how we conduct our expeditions and walks. Thanks in advance for telling all of your friends and colleagues about what we are trying to do, and please recall we pay you or anyone you choose a 5% cash commission when you refer your friends. Let us join together with a friendly team of men and women of all ages from around the world for fun and adventure in the mountains.

Please read down all of the way to the bottom of this newsletter so you do not miss anything important. Thank you very much and welcome to our team!

A) Introduction
B) Recent News
C) Payment news
D) 2021 expeditions
E) Organizing your Nepal Visa
F) Preparation - what to bring
G) In Kathmandu (KTM) - arrival and departure
H) Equipment and supplies for walking and climbing
I) Sherpas and staff
J) Communication
K) News updates for families and friends
L) Information for climbers
M) Donations of medical and educational supplies, clothing, etcetera for the Mount Everest Foundation for Sustainable Development:

A: INTRODUCTION

We offer a number of exciting trips this year and next, which you may review on our website at SummitClimb.com and SummitTrek.com . Please ask as many questions as possible, so that we may understand one another's expectations. Informed team members achieve their goals with greater satisfaction, and are better and safer "team players". We love discussing our favourite subject, MOUNTAINS, so please ask us anything.

NOW IS THE TIME TO JOIN OUR 2021 and 2022 TRIPS if you have not already.

All climbs now feature western leaders, excellent food, the best Sherpas, and some of the finest equipment on the mountain.
If you consider joining (we hope you will) please be sure to read this newsletter to the end and understand it fully. Thank you.

The three goals for our expeditions and walks are:

     a. Safety;
     b. Fun, Friendship, and Teamwork;
     c. Achieving our goals, trekking to basecamp, reaching the summit, and returning safely.

B: RECENT NEWS

We are delighted to announce that our March, April, May, and June 2021 expeditions have been a huge success, as our team led by Dan and Don and super Sherpas reached the summit on 24 May, placing 8 on the summit. All of the team members enjoyed soaking up the wonder of the mountains and were delighted to be back in Nepal experiencing the beautiful surroundings. Please see full details on our blog; SummitClimb.com/EverestNews and SummitClimb.com/EverestBaseCampTrekNews .

Now we are excited to be heading back to Nepal for our Autumn expeditions, which kick off in November, with a few places are still available. Also, during winter we are offering the Christmas and New Year EBC Trek with Optional Island Peak add-on. This winter in December, January, and February we have three Aconcagua trips. Welcome to the team!

PLEASE NOTE THAT NO QUARANTINE WILL BE REQUIRED FOR VACCINATED TEAM MEMBERS. No members of our team had to quarantine during our Spring expeditions, whether they were quarantined or not, and we expect that will be the case in November, even for the unvaccinated people.Welcome to the team!

C: PAYMENT NEWS:

Your completed payment is due 60 days prior to the start of the trip. Please visit SummitClimb.com/Payment  . We accept credit cards, cheques, venmo, paypal, electronic bank transfers, and cash.If you wish to make a bank to bank transfer, please request our bank details via email. If you wish to pay in cash upon arrival in Kathmandu, we can make arrangement for that. Please contact us!

D: 2021 EXPEDITIONS

AUTUMN 2021

AMA DABLAM CLIMB : Asia's most famous rock, ice, and snow peak, Matterhorn of the Himalaya with leader Dan Mazur (5 times Ama Dablamsummiter) and strong Sherpa team: Full Service: $6150, £4,850, €5,350. Base Camp Only: $3,650, £2,850, €3,250. Basic option: $2650, £2,025, €2,370. NEPAL WAS CLOSED IN 2020, BUT ALL OF OUR TEAMS SUMMITED IN 2019 !

FULL  SERVICE PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING, DAN MAZUR AS LEADER (5 AMA DABLAM SUMMITS) HELPFUL EXPERT SHERPAS, HOTELS, PERMITS, LUKLA FLIGHTS, FREE CARGO, TEA HOUSE TREK, ALL GROUP CLIMBING EQUIPMENT INCLUDED.1 - 28 November (28 days in Nepal). Flexible date option also available, with the option to begin and end the trip anytime between 1 November and 15 December.

Located just 15 km / 10 miles from Everest. Among the most photographed peaks in the world. Everything for the novice to the expert climber. Beautiful rock is solid granite "scrambling". Basecamp is located in a lovely grassy meadow. The hardest pitch is 12 metres / 40 feet of French class 4, British Severe, or North American 5.7. You will be following, not leading, on secure fixed ropes. Test yourself to 7000 metres / 23,000 feet. Friendly leaders, good teachers, technically accomplished. Before and during the expedition, leader Dan and the Sherpas will check your equipment, and train together with you, reviewing all needed skills on small easy cliffs around the warm and sunny basecamp.Climbing Ama Dablam qualifies you for Everest, Gasherbrum, Lhotse, and K2.  View the latest news at: SummitClimb.com/AmadablamNews .

Check out this amazing video:

 

LOBUCHE TREKKING PEAK, ALSO EVEREST VIEW GLACIER SCHOOL: Learn high altitude mountain skills and climb a 6000 metre / 19,500 foot peak with great views of Everest.  Summitclimb.com/EverestGlacierSchool

  • 1 to 18 November 2021 OR 4 January to 21 January 2022 OR 7 April to 24 April 2022 OR New option: Go anytime you like!
  • Also combine with Ama Dablam trip on these dates: 26 October to 22 November 2021.

18 days Full Service Cost: $3,950 £2,950 €3,250. Five day option: $2,250 . PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE CLIMB AND WALK: HELPFUL EXPERT SHERPAS, HOTELS, PERMITS, LUKLA FLIGHTS, FREE CARGO, TEA HOUSE TREK, ALL GROUP CLIMBING EQUIPMENT INCLUDED.18 days (or 5 days for the school and climb only) during November. AWARDED NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S "25 BEST NEW TRIPS". Choose our fixed dates or New Flexible Date Option: arrive anytime at your convenience during November-December. View the latest news at: LobucheNews You can also add on a trip to Kala Pattar and EBC for $850.

Check out this amazing video


Lobuche Peak and Ama Dablam combination: 26 October to 22 November 2021  . $7,560, £5,805, €6,400. A combination of the above two climbs gives the chance to pre-acclimatize gradually with training along the way. Two peaks in one expedition!

ISLAND TREKKING PEAK EXPEDITION: Nepal's most famous easy trekking peak. Climb to 6,000 metres / 19,500 feet in just1 day.  SummitClimb.com/IslandPeak

  • 1 to 22 November 2021
  • 4 January to 25 January 2022 OR 7 April to 28 April 2022 OR New option: Go anytime you like! 22 days or 5 days (climb only) in April, May, October, November or December;

Trip includes a visit to Everest basecamp too. Friendly leader Dan Mazur is an excellent, experienced instructor and a very helpful person who teaches everything you need to know. Introduction to high altitude.Full Service Cost: $4,150, £3,150 €3,450. 5 day option: $2,250. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE CLIMB AND WALK: HELPFUL EXPERT SHERPAS, HOTELS, PERMITS, LUKLA FLIGHTS, FREE CARGO, TEA HOUSE TREK, ALL GROUP CLIMBING EQUIPMENT INCLUDED.Choose our fixed dates or New Flexible Date Option: arrive anytime at your convenience during April, May, November or December SummitClimb.com/IslandPeakNews

Check out this amazing video

REMOTE NEPAL CHARITY SERVICE TREK: Low altitude trek. Deliver needed medical supplies and care, teach in schools, live with friendly Sherpa families in gorgeous remote Nepal. 12 Days from 17 to 25 November (9 Days in Nepal).  Full Service Cost: Donation $1,850 £1,450 €1,650.(100% of your contribution for the trek and your international flight are tax deductible). Discounts for medical professionals and educators. Choose our fixed dates or arrive anytime during the year.  www.SummitClimb.com/ServiceTrek. Includes all internal transport and free hotels. Please see our news page at: SummitClimb.com/ServiceTrekNews

EVEREST BASECAMP WALK NEPAL: Walk together with 12 time Everest summit leader Dan Mazur in the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing, to the world's most famous basecamp.  Summitclimb.com/EverestBasecampTrek • 1 to 17 November 2021. Leader Dan Mazur is a friendly and helpful trekking guide who knows every part of the trail . Your Sherpas Mingma and Yangjie are highly educated, were raised in this valley, have been to the Hillary School and attended university in Kathmandu. Their English is superb, they are friendly and gracious hosts, and as you walk together each day, they will explain every detail of the trek and answer all of your questions. Full service Price - $2,150, £1,650, €1,850. PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING FOR THE CLIMB AND WALK: HELPFUL EXPERT SHERPAS, HOTELS, PERMITS, LUKLA FLIGHTS, FREE CARGO, TEA HOUSE TREK. Please go to: SummitClimb.com/EverestBaseCampTrekNews

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR TREK TO EVEREST BASECAMP. Dates : 18 December 2021 to 3 January 2022 or 17 December 2022 to 2 January 2023 (Everest Basecamp Trek) Cost; $2,550 £1,950 €2,150. Add on Island Peak $2250  SummitClimb.com/ChristmasEverestBasecampTrek 16 Days of glorious peaceful trekking at the turn of the year. Celebrate good cheer and the best holidays of the year at the world's highest holiday destination: Mount Everest Base Camp. Leader Jangbu Sherpa is an Everest expert and has led 5 Christmas New Year treks. This is an uncrowded and beautiful time of year to trek.  Follow latest updates here; Summitclimb.com/ChristmasTrekNews

Check out this amazing video

 

ACONCAGUA CLIMBS TAKING PLACE IN December, January or February  Summitclimb.com/Aconcagua 28 December 2021 to 13 January 2022 OR 03 January 2022 to 19 January 2022 OR 07 February 2022 to 23 February 2022. Full Service Cost; $4,850, £3,950, € 4,350. Basic cost $3,650, £2,950, € 3,250.

MOUNT ACONCAGUA CLIMBS TO THE HIGHEST PEAK IN ALL OF THE AMERICAS and a famous Seven Summit. Spend time in Argentina climbing a very easy and very high mountain. 6980 metres / 23,000 feet high and excellent preparation for Everest. Patient, friendly leader Max teaches everything you need to know and has been the chief of 20 expeditions for Summit Climb. Please see recent news: Summitclimb.com/AconcaguaNews

E: ORGANIZING YOUR NEPAL VISA

Our Kathmandu office will prepare a visa invitation letter for you, and then using this letter, you will obtain your visa on arrival at the Kathmandu airport immigration desk. The system works well and we have been using it for all of our trips in 2021. When you arrive in Kathmandu airport, you will fill out the arrival form at the electronic kiosk, and then the immigration officials will check your visa invitation letter and stamp your Nepal visa into your passport at the immigration counter. You will provide your passport sized photo and pay cash (dollars, pounds, or euros) for the visa at that time. The cost for a 90 day visa is approximately $100 USD, a 30 day visa around $60. If you forgot your photo, you have one taken there, for 300 rupees (but you will have to stand in another queue and change your money into rupees first. Get a single entry visa for the total number of days you will be in Nepal. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the END of the expedition and contain at least 2 blank pages.  

F: Preparation - what to remember. Please read the section below carefully. Thank you.

1) Purchase your flight ticket now. Flights are still available. Return flights from UK-Kathmandu-UK are around 475 pounds. Return flights from USA-Kathmandu-USA are around $1100. Please let us know if you need assistance in booking your ticket. We are here to help.  

2) Here is a checklist of what we need to have in your file immediately. If you have not already sent these, please do. We encourage you to send an electronic scan of all of the below documents, please be sure they are signed. Thank you:

  • Completed Payment.
  • Make your Sherpa order (if any) crystal clear at this time, personal sherpa, quarter sherpa (equipment carriage service), payment, etc.
  • Signed and Scanned Trip Registration and Waiver Forms (4 page form).
  • Signed Medical Form (page 4 of 4 page form).
  •  close up photo scan of your face.
  • Scan of passport identification pages (passport valid for 6 months after the trip ends).
  • Complete flight itinerary. We are glad to assist you in booking your flights.
  • Proof of mountain rescue, travel, accident, and repatriation insurance (cancellation insurance is advised). We are glad to assist you in booking your insurance.
  • Medical letter required for Ama Dablam or Island Peak or Lobuche.

Click here for Medical Letter From Your Doctor

Details of covid vaccine, type taken and number of shots.

Please do let us know what further questions you may have about the registration process, or anything else for that matter. Thank you.  

3) Please bring all of your personal paperwork, including your original proof of insurance, carry at least two extra paper photographs of your face in your pocket, etcetera.

4) HOW MUCH CASH TO BRING? Please make sure to budget enough foreign cash and bring it along with you to Kathmandu. Credit cards are of no use once you leave Kathmandu, and even in Kathmandu credit cards are still quite often not accepted by shops, hotels, and restaurants. If you wish to use your bank ATM card in Kathmandu cash machines, you will only be able to withdraw Nepalese rupees and not dollars, euros, pounds, etc. Once you are away from Kathmandu you won't be able to obtain any cash and sometimes it’s hard to change money other than US dollars, etcetera. We've found it's better to be prepared and bring too much cash than not enough. Note on traveller's cheques: They are not useful. Please bring enough foreign cash to cover your expenses for the following, and then you will change money into rupees after arriving in Kathmandu:

A. Hotels in Kathmandu (KTM);
B. Restaurants in KTM;
C. Shopping in KTM;
D. Nepal visa;
E. Tips for staff, sherpas, summit bonuses, etc;
F. Shopping and drinks (coke, beer, etcetera) during trek.
G. Phone calls and internet charges.

If you feel uncomfortable carrying such currency on your trip, you can give it to our leader for safe keeping. Here are the recommended amounts of cash to have on hand for each trip:

  • Ama Dablam members: please bring at least $1500 cash with you for the trip.
  • Lobuche/ Everest Glacier School members: please bring at least $1000 cash with you .
  • Everest Basecamp Nepal walkers: please bring at least $700 cash with you for the trip.
  • Remote Nepal Service walkers: please bring at least $500 cash with you for the trip.

5) Helicopter rescue, repatriation and travel insurance are required and cancellation insurance is recommended. Do you have your proof of travel and mountain rescue insurances? Remember, you need to be covered for all mishaps, including both in town, en-route, and during climbing and/or walking. We are glad to advise you about different types of insurance and where to find them. Nowadays good insurance is available for any person from every country in the world.

6) We need the name and contact details of an emergency contact person who is available 24 hours a day, speaks English, and is able to wire funds to Nepal on your behalf, on immediate notice. This is in case you are injured and require emergency assistance.

G: In Kathmandu (KTM) - arrival and departure

7) Arriving in KTM, meeting your flight, and going to your hotel.

Note: Our staff will meet you at the airport holding a "SummitClimb or SummitTrek" sign.

Our staff try to personally meet your flight at the Kathmandu airport and bring you to the hotel. We were able to meet all of our team members last season. Do we have your exact arrival (and departure) information, including: airline, flight number, arrival date, arrival time, coming from where? When you walk out of the airport terminal, please walk slowly and carefully and look for the sign bearing your name (usually your last, or surname, but occasionally your first, or given name). The sign may also simply say "Summit Climb or Summit Trek". In the rare case that we might miss you, please take a taxi to the hotel. We did not miss anyone last year, but perhaps some members did not read the signs.

All members of all teams are urgently instructed to never tip more than $1 or 1 euro or 1 pound or 100 rupees at the airport in exchange for receiving help with your luggage. These airport people are becoming really persistent and expect that visitors will not know any better. Sometimes they ask for huge amounts of money and people give it to them, so please be aware and cautious when you arrive. Please also note that if 10 people try to carry your bag, they don’t all receive a tip. You just give the money to one of them and let them divide it among themselves.
If you are arriving early (or after the main group has departed), please ring our office, so our staff can begin working on the permit, check your equipment, help with purchasing any missing bits and pieces, etcetera.

8) Print out our Kathmandu -KTM Climbing & Trekking Office office details and carry with you at all times. Our Kathmandu office managers are:
Mr. Murari Sharma and Mr. Deha Shrestha

Everest Parivar Expedition (Infront of Armed Police Force Headquarter)
Halchok, Shoyambhu, Kathmandu, Nepal
Office: 977-1-4283382
Mobile: (977) 985102-3985 or 985109-1456
Residence tel: 9771-4418210, 4428110

PLEASE PRINT OUT ITEM 8 AND CARRY IT WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES (ESPECIALLY ON ARRIVAL) IN CASE YOU BECOME LOST

9) KTM HOTEL. Your trip includes 2 free Kathmandu hotel nights at the beginning and two free Kathmandu hotel nights at the end of the trip. You will be sharing. If you want your own single room, the cost is an additional $20 per night (during the included four free hotel nights) and for extra nights $30 per person for single occupancy. If you need extra nights, and/or a single supplement, we can book those in advance. We will stay at the Harati Manor Inn. It’s a new hotel located in the heart of the city action near many delicious restaurants, the city's best mountain equipment shopping, and abundant nightlife all within a few minutes walk.
The Harati Manor Inn also offers lots of entertaining day trip (and night outing) options such as city tours, walking tours, rock climbing, mountain biking, wild game safaris, horse back riding, art classes, volunteer opportunities at orphanages, hospitals, schools, women's centres, bird watching, cooking classes, sport fishing, day peak climbing, herbal medicine seminars, day hikes, pottery classes, car tours, sightseeing, temple tours, henna hand-painting classes, massage, swimming, barber shops, beauty salons, motorbiking, yoga retreats, river rafting, painting classes, golf, language courses, kayaking, writing seminars, bungie jumping, religious worship, canyoning, hot tubs, health club, saunas, fitness center, spa treatments, Mount Kailash Treks, night clubs, meditation retreats, gourmet restaurants, cultural dance performances, wine tasting, pedicures and manicures, casino gambling, discotheques, airport transfers, Scenic flights around Mount Everest and much much more. Meals in Kathmandu are at your expense. We are able to book extra nights if you wish to arrive earlier than the trip start date or stay later then the trip end date.

Here is the information for the hotel we are using this year:

  • Harati Manor Inn
  • 569 Gangalal Marg,
  • Chhetrapati, Thamel
  • Kathmandu Nepal
  • Tel: 4263429, 4261067
  • Cell: 9841230040

Please keep a card from the hotel in your pocket when you go out, in case you become lost, thanks.

10) Arrive in KTM on the first day of our itinerary for the team orientation. All members must be present on the first day of our scheduled itinerary in Kathmandu unless you have made special arrangements. We need your passports on that day so that we can obtain the permit for you to go to the mountains, and do quite a bit of intensive orientation, training, and shopping before setting off for the mountains, in the next day or two. : It’s fine if you want to arrive earlier, and definitely a good idea if you have lots of shopping to do. Below are the dates we require you to arrive in Kathmandu (of course its no problem to arrive earlier).

  • Everest Glacier School: 1November;
  • Lobuche Peak and Ama Dablam combination: 26 October;
  • Island Peak: 1 November;
  • Everest Base Camp Trek Nepal:  1November;
  • Service Trek: 17 November;
  • Christmas EBC trek: 18 December.

11) Please don’t plan on leaving before the last day of our itinerary. We need you to stay until the last day of the expedition. Please note that you cannot leave before the end date of the trip unless you have the leaders permission. Below I have noted the dates for your return flight home at the end of each expedition. Of course its fine if you want to stay on after the expedition ends and there are lots of fun things to do in Nepal like wild game viewing safaris, rafting, visit lakeside in Pokhara, etcetera.

  • Everest Glacier School: 18 November
  • Lobuche Peak and Ama Dablam combination: 22 November
  • Everest Base Camp Trek Nepal: 17 November
  • Island Peak: 22 November
  • Ama Dablam: 28 November.
  • Service Trek: 25 November
  • Christmas EBC trek; 3 January (or 7th January with Island Peak add on)

H: Equipment -

12) For an equipment list for climbing, walking and group equipment, please go to 'equipment' link on the top bar of the SummitClimb and SummitTrek website.

NOTE: all equipment MUST be in a locked kit-duffle-holdall bag with your name in LARGE LETTERS. Unlocked rucksacks and unlocked bags of any kind are not advised during the trek. You can easily purchase an inexpensive duffle-bag hold-all in Kathmandu for $20.00 and a lock for 50 cents.

13) Shopping in KTM. We provide an equipment purchase and rent/hire service for free ideas of where to find the best climbing equipment, clothing, shoes, sleeping bags, etcetera for your expedition. Give us a call or email and we will be glad to help. Equipment purchase and hire/renting is simple, easy and affordable in Kathmandu! We have access to the finest brands and the best quality gear at rock bottom prices. Also, we provide personal gear checking of all of your equipment in Kathmandu. Please bring the gear you have and we will check it and help you find any missing pieces, make sure it fits correctly, and is the best quality for you. Even if you have no gear, please just let us know and we will find every single piece for you. With more than 100 high quality and affordable equipment shops here in Kathmandu, we can find any item you might need. Just let us know your sizes in advance and we will give you a list of options, and assure you of availability.

14) Storing excess baggage and personal possessions - valuables in KTM. We provide secure facilities in Kathmandu in which to store your extra personal items such as luggage, extra money, credit cards, passports, jewellery, expensive watches, etcetera. These facilities are kept locked and are extremely safe. All bags left in storage must be in a locked bag and have your name clearly written in large letters.

15) Depart KTM for the mountain. After completing our orientation session and receiving permits, we plan to depart Kathmandu the following day.

16) Buy your mattress in Lukla. Because local airlines don’t allow foam mattresses (they take up too much space in the plane) we buy ours in Lukla. Regarding mattresses, above basecamp, we do not recommend having an inflatable mattress as your only mattress. Always bring a closed-cell foam “Karimat” as a backup . I like to bring 3 or 4 mattresses as they are inexpensive and I want to sleep warmly and comfortably at night. These are available very inexpensively in Lukla, so there is no need to bring any from home. Why fly around the world and into remote Nepal with a kit/duffel bag/hold-all filled with foam?

17) Climbers and walkers-bring or buy duvet-down jacket. Fairly good quality down/duvet gear is available in Kathmandu inexpensively and is a crucial part of your equipment. Ama Dablam and Lobuche climbers will, in addition, need a duvet/down jacket with an insulated hood and duvet/down trousers as well.

18) Food during the expedition - Snack Food: Bring your own snack food. All basecamp and walk meals and high meals (3 per day) are included in our full-service expeditions. We provide more than enough food and cooking fuel for three meals per day on the high mountain. However, we ask each climbing member to provide their own daily-snacks while climbing above basecamp. We do not provide any daily snack energy food, you need to provide your own. Please remember to bring your daily snack-energy mountain food for each day we are climbing above basecamp on the mountain. This food would consist of chocolate bars, power bars, energy gel, rehydration drinking powder, sweets, nuts, sausage, cheese, etc.. More and more items are available in Kathmandu, but choice may be limited. A wide variety of imported sweets, snacks, and chocolates are available, with quality brands such as Cadbury, Snickers, Lindt and Cafe d'Or in abundance. The prices are not bad. There are many kinds of local snacks and powerbars available, but they still do not import foreign power bars, energy gel, etcetera.
If you like imported cheeses, tinned meats, and other specialty foods, please bring them.

Here is the list of food we suggest you bring for yourself:

  • Ama Dablam: 2-4 kilos - 4 to 8 pounds of snacks .
  • Everest Glacier School & Island Peak: 1-2 kilos - 2 to 4 pounds of snacks.
  • Everest Basecamp Treks & Remote Nepal Service Trek: 1-2 kilos - 2 to 4 pounds of snacks.

19) Boots and shoes for your climb - walk. Regarding shoes, please bring or rent/hire the following:

  • Ama Dablam: Plastic double boots or "One-Sport Everest Millet" boots.
  • Sturdy- lightweight all leather boots with good ankle support for climbing up to camp 2.
  • Trekking shoes, approach shoes, running shoes, or trainers for the trek.
  • Sandals for comfort.
  • Everest Glacier School & Island Peak: Sturdy double plastic climbing boots that are made for crampons, in addition to comfortable lightweight walking shoes with good ankle support that are water repellant and well “broken-in”.
  • Everest Basecamp Treks and Remote Nepal Service Trek: Comfortable lightweight walking shoes with good ankle support which are water repellent and well “broken-in”.

Please note: Members who have tried to wear leather single boots to the summit of our 6000 and 7000 metre / 19,500 foot plus climbing peaks have suffered frostbite. Not recommended, and, in fact, for 6000 and 7000 metre / 19,500foot plus climbing peaks we may disqualify you from the trip if you are planning to climb in only leather single boots. Frostbite is not an option on our expeditions.

Good shoes and all types of climbing boots are available for purchase and hire inexpensively in Kathmandu. Our planned schedule allows plenty of time for equipment shopping in Kathmandu. Let us know your size and we are glad to check for you! IF YOU HAVE VERY SMALL OR VERY LARGE FEET, PLEASE TELL US BEFORE, AND

WE WILL CHECK THE KATHMANDU SHOPS FOR AVAILABILITY.

I: Sherpas and staff

20) Tipping your leaders, sherpas, and staff. Regarding gratuities (tips). Our leaders, sherpas, and staff are among the best, because we can count on receiving gratuities for a job well done at the end of each expedition. You will be impressed when you see just how hard we do work. It is a matter of pride for all of us. Besides individual tips, we  also ask you to pay an additional “group” tip and we will "pool" these tips together and then, as a group, we will vote on the distribution of the gratuities to the individual staff. This method has seemed to be the fairest and has worked very well in the past. In addition there will be a high-altitude bonus.

We recommend the following tip for our group staff:

  • Ama Dablam $250
  • Lobuche/Everest Glacier School & Island Peak: $100
  • Everest Basecamp Treks &Remote Nepal Service Trek: $100

Expect to pay the above tip no matter what. Tipping Climbing Sherpas on our peak climbs: for a group Sherpa, who helps you to climb above the high camp or up to the summit and back down, expect to pay a summit-attempt bonus as follows:

  • Ama Dablam Summit Attempt Bonus: $300, Summit Success: $700.
  • Lobuche/Everest Glacier School Summit Attempt bonus: $150

The above amount of money may be split between climbers who were in the summit party. If you have a personal Sherpa, your tip will be at least 30% more. We request you to bring this money with you to basecamp in cash, and be ready to pay it there, as many of our staff are local and will not be returning to Kathmandu with us. Credit cards may be of use in Kathmandu, but they will not work in basecamp.

21) Bring gifts for sherpas and staff. Regarding other gifts you may wish to provide, please bring as many as possible. These equipment donations are quite important to our staff and their families as they are often handed down to needy relatives and Sherpas who are learning to climb and need some assistance. Most, if not all sherpas got their start on "hand-me-down" kit.

NEW SHERPA TRAINING SCHOOL: SummitClimb.com/SherpaClimbingSchool . Working together with the Mount Everest Foundation for Sustainable Development (MEFSD), we need new and used good-quality climbing and walking equipment and clothing, as well as funds for office expense. The MEFSD is building a new school for training 30 aspiring young sherpas, both men and women. Safety, technique, communication, education, health, environmental and cultural preservation and economic opportunities will be the goals for this new training course so that we can provide education, training and help local people in Nepal to earn a good living from sustainable tourism in their beautiful country for many years to come.

Do you have extra mountain equipment, clothing, and shoes/boots? Older equipment, shoes, and clothing are fine. We encourage you to bring any extras for our staff.

Please remember that Sherpa people come in all sizes (from extra small to extra large), and would appreciate any rucksacks, old harnesses, helmets, ice-axes, old ice and rock gear, warm clothing, goretex and fleece, pile, down, and duvet clothing, windproof clothing, and any kind of out-of-door shoes and boots, including walking, climbing, running, etc. Children’s and Women’s clothing is also needed. Thanks for helping and being so very thoughtful.

J: Communication

22) Telephone. We have a mobile phone in basecamp. The cost is around $1 - $2 per minute, depending on which country you are ringing andit’s free of cost to receive incoming calls and texts on the mobile phone.Sometimes we have to walk for 15 minutes or so to reachthe high point where the mobile phone works.We plan to have access to mobile and satellite telephone during the walk too. Those wishing to use our satellite telephones are required to post a $100 deposit, prior to departure from Kathmandu. The cost for satellite phones is $4 per minute. Incoming calls on satellite phone are not possible. If your usage exceeds the deposit amount, you will be required to pay more cash in basecamp, or stop using the phone. Be sure to bring enough $, £, or €. While unable to receive satellite telephone calls, at times members can receive short satellite text/SMS for $4 a message from their friends and family.

23) Website where your friends, family, and colleagues, can read about your expedition. There may be a website where your family, friends, colleagues, and sponsors can watch the progress of our climbs and walks. This website is a public service from www.SummitClimbNews.com and www.SummitTrekNews.com . Once reaching the site please go to “recent news” and you will see the dispatches from your expedition. We have traditionally asked all members to become involved and to write or phone  blogs - "dispatches" or reports about the progress of our expedition and also to post photos for the folks at home to see, during the expedition. Also, we love it when you post photos and videos on your facebook, instagram, and other social media pages and request permission to share those with our members and audience.

24) Battery charging: laptop, ipod, mp3 player, and/or digital camera. On our climbs, we often bring a solar charging system on the expedition that members have access to. As long as there is sun, we are able to charge batteries easily on the mountain. If your device has a 12 volt "automotive cigarette charger" please bring it (order one on the internet before you go) as that will be the best thing for basecamp. In Kathmandu, be sure to bring your wall charger compatible to Kathmandu's 220 volt current (when its working). Also, we encourage you to bring your own smaller solar panel, as these seem to work very well. Computer, ipod, mp3, camera note: Laptops with a spinning harddrive work well up to about 4000 metres/13,000 feet. Altitude can destroy or wipe hard drives above this altitude. There are several options out on the market for solid-state laptops with non moving hard drives that work well in altitude.

INTERNET IN BASE CAMP: We plan to have internet in basecamp using the prepaid wifi cards. Last year we did and it worked well. Sometimes we have to walk for 15 minutes or so to reachthe high point where the free internet works.
Digital cameras work well. We recommend that you keep them in your jacket during the day and in your sleeping bag at night.

Please note: drones are not allowed in Nepalwithout a special permit and a special government officer.

K: News updates for families and friends:

We understand how important it is for your family and friends to be able to follow your progress whilst on the mountains. Please ask them to visit the following webpages and social media sites for regular updates:
www.SummitClimbNews.com or www.SummitTrekNews.com
www.facebook.com/summitclimbers

L: Additional information for climbers:

25) Bring or buy warm mittens. Special warm high-altitude mittens are necessary for all of our climbs, for example: http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/mens/gloves/mens-alti-mitts.html . Nowadays, we can find many warm mitten choices in Kathmandu. You won't need to wear any liner gloves inside these mitts (they already have their own integral liner) so fit is very important. This company ships around the world. Be sure to discuss the size of your hand and what size mitt you might need with the person at the shop.

26) Bring or buy a figure 8. Climbers, please be sure to bring a "figure 8" for rappelling/abseiling. Modern rock climbing descenders ie: "atc’s" do not work on fixed line, and are a liability because they slow you and the team down considerably. It is hard for some people to believe until they witness this personally, but we are asking you to believe it now. Please go out and purchase a figure 8. You may also purchase a figure 8 in Kathmandu.

27) Group vs personal sherpas. Our climbing sherpas carry group equipment, and they will assist with carrying your personal equipment. Each year, at least one of our team members decides to hire their own personal sherpa. You may wish to do so. We now encourage members who need a bit of extra assistance to use our "equipment carry service”. The cost will be 1/4 (not including the tip, which you must also pay) and includes carriage of ten kilos of your personal equipment up and down to and from basecamp to the highest camps.

M. Donations of medical and educational supplies, clothing, etcetera for the Mount Everest Foundation for Sustainable Development:

28) Please consider donating supplies, clothing, funds, building materials, solar equipment, etcetera, as well as your own time and efforts to the Mount Everest Foundation for Sustainable Development in Nepal. Your donation will be used wisely by the Foundation which exists to help poor Sherpa hill farmers help themselves. These families live in Nepalnear Everest, but far from the tourist trail where life is very primitive, making Nepal the 20th poorest country in the world and the poorest country in all Asia. The foundation builds schools and hospitals and protects fragile environments. Please see what we have been doing with recent donations at http://www.MountEverestFoundation.org/news. We encourage you to become involved as we conduct service treks and volunteer projects you might wish to join.
Thank you so much for all of your kind compassion and wonderful help to the people of Nepal!!!

Conclusion

29) What have we forgotten? Please express yourself now, and communicate all of your thoughts, questions, and ideas. It is very important that we build another top team this year by working together, beginning today. We always enjoy discussing our favorite subject: MOUNTAINS. Also, this kind of conversation may help us to understand one another's expectations.

30) Let us begin climbing and walking. We are looking forward to further discussion, to meeting, to climbing and walking together, and to seeing you feeling well on the trek, in basecamp, the upper camps, on the summit, and on the way back down.

Thank you very much. Best Regards for now and we look forward to climbing and walking with you soon, Yours Sincerely, from Dan Mazur and all of us at SummitClimb.com and SummitTrek.com

Thanks for telling all of your friends about what we are trying to do.

-Dan Mazur

Email: Dan@SummitClimb.com and Dan@SummitTrek.com;
Skype: dan.mazur8848 ;
UK telephone: +44 (0)7810 375400 (evenings best, I may be out climbing in the day); US telephone: (+1)360-570-0715 (please leave a message in case I am out in the hills); Nepal phone: +9779841595504 and +9779813028810

US telephone: (+1)360-570-0715 (please leave a message in case I am out in the hills);
Web: www.SummitClimb.com  and www.SummitTrek.com
Contact Us at: info@SummitClimb.com & info@SummitTrek.com .

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