Travel

I'm off to EBC this December and expect its going to be -10 to -20 at night. I've recently acquired a Montane extreme smock for cold weather days in the UK but don't know how useful this will be in extreme cold . Is this going to be upto the job or do I need to splash out on a down jacket?

Thanks in advance.

Sean

I wouldn't expect it to be enough by itself. Probably warm enough when active at -10 or so but not for pottering round camp.

Hi Sean, I have trekked to Everest Base Camp for the last two years during December and my recommendation would be to take a down jacket. December is a great time to trek in the Khumbu with very few trekkers compared to October and November and usually there are beautiful sunny days.

 A down jacket would be useful for the evenings in and around the lodges at higher altitudes, It is also a good idea to put the down jacket in your pack for the days to EBC and Kalapatar. You do not need a full expedition parka I use a TNF Nuptse down jacket with 700 fill that works well in conjunction with a few fleeces.

You can rent a down jacket in Shonas in Kathmandu for about US$1 per day however they are quite bulky and heavy, it would be better to purchase one from the UK or Mountain Hardwear store in Kathmandu.

Have a great trek and I might see you in the Khumbu!

Cheers, Roland

www.themountaincompany.co.uk

wow i'm envious. i too have been a few times to this area, and wish you a fantastic time. as for the jacket, i would suggest that you definitely buy a down jacket before you go. it gets verrry cold, even in the lodges, and a down jacket with layers underneath are a must in my opinion. actually, even sitting in the gorgeous sunshine it's down jacket weather over there. 

Sean, I'd say it largely depends on your metabolism. I did EBC / KP in August - very few trekkers then. I didn't need a down jacket on that trip but was a lot younger than I am now. I also had a stab at the Annapurna Circuit in February (which was much colder) and that time did have a basic Rab down jacket which I used instead of a sleeping bag in the tea houses.  Now I'd certainly take a down jacket. Invaluable.

Hi Sean,

they'd do fine... just quite a bit heavier than a down jacket for the same warmth. I have a Keela belay jacket and just recommended it here : can be had for about £40 at the moment.

Thanks all, I've picked up a ME Ligthline which should do the job.

Next question, I just can't help myself, in December are we likely to need crampons? I'd rather not carry anything I don't need to , but I also don't want to miss out because I was too cheap or lazy to get em.

To get to EBC last month crampons would have been a total waste of time - not even a patch on snow on the trail. There was snow on Cho La (the pass from the Khumbu valley to Gokyo) but I didn't see one person with crampons. They would have given you some more security if you were heading DOWN the west side of the pass (as opposed to coming up) but if I did the trek again in the same conditions I wouldn't carry crampons to use for 20 minutes of the two week trek.

I think there can be even less snow/ice in December as the monsoon is now over.

Made it back!

We made it up Kala Patar and were treated to a grandstand view of Everest and Nuptse, including as a little bonus an avalanche down Nuptse.  We had cloud going up from Gorak Shep but I was optimistic it would clear and it clear did as we got half way up.

The entire trek was probably both the most dificult and also the most rewarding thing me and the missus have done , ever.

Sincere thanks for all the advice  prior to us heading off. It came in really useful and gave us a good idea what to expect.

Thanks.

Sean