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I want to climb Everest, but there are so many options and the cost is high! Why should I choose AC? What makes AC different to other companies out there?
We know that when you make a decision to climb Everest it is one of the most financially challenging trips to come on. Our prices compared to other outfitters that provide the same product, if not a lesser product are actually less! We invite you to shop around and compare, both in price and quality. We feel strongly that you will find us to be the best in the business.
One of the main things that sets us apart is our attention to detail. Nowhere else will you find a team of people more dedicated to your success! From the time you contact the office to the time you step on the mountain, our customer service is second to none. Why should you choose AC? We invite you to contact some of our past clients to hear their stories. Contact us at the office for details.
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What is MAX OX / Additional Sherpa Support? How does this work?
The MaxOx option is simple, in this era of better O2 systems and our quality Sherpa staff, we wanted to offer our team members every possible advantage to summit Mount Everest. The Max Ox O2 option ensures that you will be on the highest possible flow rate per minute that the bottles will allow when we are on O2.
The Additional Sherpa support option is now included on our standard programme ad means that at no point on the mountain will you ever have to carry more than what you need for that day. All your camping and incidental equipment is transported between camps by our Sherpa team. To date, everyone, yes everyone who has chosen Max Ox has summited with us.
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I have heard from others that AC provides a great private trip option, how does that work and what are the costs?
Seeing as your Everest expedition is a once in a lifetime experience, we wanted to make sure you have every possible advantage. Some clients enjoy the added privacy and schedule flexibility that a private expedition allows . A private means you will have your own guides, your share of the Sherpa carry staff, a private dining tent, and optional private communication facilities i. This allows you to climb at your own pace, and enjoy the mountain on your own terms. The costs vary depending on how many clients there in your private group. Please contact the office for details.
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Can my friends and family come along to basecamp for the expedition?
Sure! This is one of the best parts of the start of the expedition, having family and friends trek to basecamp to see you off on your journey. Basecamp for non-climbers is not a very hospitable place, but we strive to make your guests comfortable and welcome. Guests for the duration of the expedition are allowed on a case by case basis. The reason for this is simple. On the trip, our job is to be climbing, spending time just at basecamp can be quite boring sometimes, so we usually encourage guests to trek in at the beginning or end of the expedition, to join you during the most exciting parts of the trip! Contact us for details.
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Because the trip is so long, can I bring food and other gear not on the list?
Absolutely! Most people on the Everest expedition, members end up bringing “the kitchen sink”! We encourage you to bring some of your favorite goodies and tech toys, as basecamp will become our home for 2 months or so. The more comfortable you are, the more energy you have for the climb, so every little thing helps!
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How do you train for a trip like this?
Our standard response to this question is that for Everest, you become a climber first, and everything else during this portion of your life comes second. This is the level of dedication to your training, both mental and physical, that you need to have. We have specific ideas around training and great book suggestions to help you along. Please look over our training FAQ page for details. If you require more information please contact our office and we will be happy to put you in touch with one of our senior guides for a consultation and we can also link you with our training coach to design a training programme for you.
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What are the skills/prior experience required for this climb?
You cannot just decide to write a cheque and go and climb Mt. Everest! A comprehensive climbing resume is required to join our team. Usually we look for a few minimum requirements; such as Denali, for the cold and glacier travel experience, and Aconcagua, for the altitude experience. Beyond that, we look for well rounded climbers with a wealth of experience. Summit day experience on an 8000m peak such as Cho Oyu, prior to going to Everest,is highly beneficial. Contact the office for further details and to discuss your individual background.
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What is the conditioning level needed for this climb?
You should be in the best shape of your life! This is our longest expedition of the year. It requires patience, stamina, mental fortitude, and a strong will. Summit day can sometimes be over 20 hours long! Day by day the challenges are different, but the more prepared you are, both mentally and physically, the smoother your trip will go.
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How many climbers will be on this expediton?
We have a maximum of 9-10 members on our Everest expedition. This is to ensure we can maintain safety and our attention to detail. There may be more in basecamp and in the camps on the mountain if there are private expeditions, but they will generally travel separately from the main team.
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Can I contact other climbers or guides for this expedition?
Yes, we encourage that. Perhaps there is someone in your area that can become a training partner, perhaps they can help you source some hard to find gear. The bottom line is that it’s a good idea to have some contact with folks that you will share this experience with. We respect the privacy of each team member and check with each person before releasing any contact details.
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Will I be sharing a tent or room with other climbers?? Is there a single room option on this trip?
You will have your own tent in basecamp, but on the mountain, you will be sharing a tent with others. We generally book you in to a single room in the hotel in Kathmandu whilst it is twin share in the lodges on the trek into basecamp. A single supplement is available. Please contact our office for further details.
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How heavy will my pack be?
The weight of your pack will usually not exceed 10-15lbs, 5-7kg. What used to happen was on a “carry” day, where you moved your personal gear between camps, your pack would be 20-40lbs.9-18kg , sometimes higher if you chose to carry more of your equipment and on “move” days, the weight went down to 10-15lbs., 5-7kg. Now, since we include carrying your personal overnight gear as part of the expedition, your pack weight is always in the 10-15lbs, 5-7kg range.
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What kind of food do you have on the mountain? At basecamp?
This will depend on what camp we are in. In basecamp, we import tons of food from the USA and New Zealand. So don’t be surprised by our sushi nights, fresh muffins, yoghurt for breakfast, and pizza! On the mountain we usually have a wide variety of MRE meals, these are significantly tastier than freeze dried, as they are real food vacuum sealed and ready to heat and eat! At Camp 2, our advanced basecamp, we have Sherpa cook staff, who prepare more ‘basecamp like’ food. Pizza, pasta, eggs and bacon! We work really hard to make sure our food is second to none. As evidence of this, other companies have tried to steal Chongba, our master chef, over to their companies!
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How long is a typical day on the mountain?
It depends on the day and your level of acclimatisation. 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 20 hours long.
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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 basecamp 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.
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What sort of hotels do we stay at in the city?
We stay at the Hotel Shanker in Kathmandu, in the Lazimpat area which is not far from Thamel. It is actually an old royal palace, complete with a huge tranquil garden, swimming pool, and attached spa! A perfect place to begin and end your trip.
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What time should I arrive and where do I meet my guides?
Before your expedition you will receive a final details letter. This will inform you about time and place you will be meeting your guides. On this trip, there will be an AC representative at the airport to meet you, and the first of many team briefing occurs on the evening of day 1.
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How much should I budget for this expedition? How much cash should I plan to bring?
As this is our biggest and longest trip, we usually suggest members to bring USD$1000 -$2000. This will cover everything from gifts, to bottled drinks, tips, and anything else that catches your eye on the trail. ATM cash machines work in Kathmandu, but only give the local currency, Rupees.
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How much should I tip my guide staff?
This is a difficult thing to gauge. We have seen everything from 20USD to 15,000USD for an Everest expedition tip. Tipping is not required, but a small way to show your guides thanks for their help. The level of the tip should reflect the level of personal involvement with your guide.
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What if I arrive early or depart late
Of course. On a trip as long as this, we request that you arrive in Kathmandu on the assigned date, to assure your baggage makes it on time, and you have time to recover from jet lag before trekking. It is hard to catch the group if you are arriving late and still waiting for lost baggage! We can arrange extra nights in the hotel. Many people depart from our Nepal expeditions later, to enjoy the sights and sounds of Kathmandu, but do keep in mind that this is long expedition and we find that people want to head home as quickly as possible after the climb finishes.
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Are there any entry or visa requirements?
Yes there are. You can print the forms from http://treks.com.np/visa or you can complete them on the plane as the forms are handed out on your arrival flight into Kathmandu. Be sure to have the suggested USD amount in cash for your visa application and have a passport photo for your arrival in Kathmandu. Currently a 90 day visa costs US$100.
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What is your cancellation policy? Refund policy?
An expedition member may cancel his/her participation on the following basis:
a) prior to 20 January 2011 then on the basis of a 50% refund of the 20 October 2010 payment
b) after 20 January 2011 but before departure to the mountain from Kathmandu then on the basis of no refund of any monies paid.
Team members should take out private insurance if they wish to be covered against cancellation due to medical or personal reasons. This is called trip Cancellation insurance and can be obtained from your normal travel agent.
Please download and read our Everest Trip Notes, and scroll to our Payments and Refunds and Cancellation section for more details:
Everest Trip Notes 2012
Adobe Acrobat Document: 223 KB, 33 seconds @ 56kbps
More information and background on the AC Everest 2012 Expedition
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