Mt. Everest Base Camp
Two base camps are located on opposite sides of Mt. Everest (Everest Mountain): to the South in Nepal, and to the North in Tibet, China. Located at the altitude of 5,360 m/17,600 ft is South Base Camp in Nepal, and at 5,208 m/17,090 ft is the North Base Camp in Tibet. These camps are rudimentary campsites on Mount Everest that are used by mountain climbers during their ascent and descent. South Base Camp is used when climbing via the southeast ridge, while North Base Camp is used when climbing via the northeast ridge.
To the South Base Camp, expeditions usually fly into Lukla (2,860 m) from Kathmandu and pass through Namche Bazaar. Mountain climbers then hike to Base Camp, which usually takes six to eight days, allowing for proper altitude acclimatization in order to prevent altitude sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness). Climbing equipments and supplies are carried by yaks, dzopkyos (yak hybrids) and human porters to Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier.
The North Base Camp has vehicle access from Lhasa via Shigatse (Xigaze). It is just located below the Khumbu Glacier (or Rongbuk Glacier), where is a gravel plain. Climbers typically rest there for several days for acclimatization; to reduce the risks and severity of altitude sickness. This base camp consists of long line of tents with food, blankets, oxygen cylinders and light. For most common visitors, they usually get there by car (but these years, some are crazy about trekking and cycling), and they just want to have a long distance view of the mighty and saint Mountain Everest.
Visit to the North (Tibet-side) Base Camp required a permit from the Chinese government, above and beyond the permit required to visit Tibet itself. At this time such permits could be arranged relatively easily via travel companies/agencies in Lhasa, typically as part of a travel package that included hiring a vehicle, driver, and translator. Road access to the North Base Camp may be obtained from a road branching to the South from the Friendship Highway.
The treks to Base Camps on both sides of the Mount Everest are the most popular trekking routes in Nepal and Tibet, China and are done by thousands of trekkers each year.
