Should I worry about buying an expensive set of sunglasses for trekking Everest base camp area? I reckon a normal bargain bin pair will be fine but my good lady worries more than me and reckons we need to spend a bit. Any thoughts?
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 Listen to your good lady and get yourselves some decent glasses - minimum of cat 3 if you want to avoid the risk of snow blindness.
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 The glare from the reflection of the sun off the snow is the problem so buy a a good quality pair that will protect your eyes as Dave says.
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 Expense isn't the issue, but whatever you buy you need to be absolutely sure that your eyeware absorbs virtually all UV radiation. A sandy beach reflects about 15-25% of UV. Fresh snow reflects 80-90% of UV. And the level of UV increases by about 4% for every thousand feet of elevation. I've had snow-blindness, in the Alps, when I lefft my sunglasses off because it was cloudy. (cloud only absorbs about a third of the UV) It was deeply, deeply painful and unpleasant. (that's why I now know a bit abour it). In the Himalayas it could be crippling.
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| Edited: 25/10/09 17:28 |
Thanks for that, she's now very smug - in a good way. Any recommendations? Jilbos any good?
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Bloc Stingray XR might be worth a try; cat 3 lens, wraparound style with little light penetration from the sides, grippy arms, available for £30 (ish) online and a British company too.
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Julbo are good, as are Bolle, just make sure you get something with side pieces for full protection and make sure they fit properly.
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I've just done the trek and there was no snow between Lukla & EBC. There was some on the Cho La pass, though.
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 Been using oakley half jackets for years on many treks, and have acrued many lenses and frames. I didn't want to like Oakleys but after using julbo's and numerous other similar glasses I have found them far superior for adaptability and lens quality. I tend towards VR28 in medium intensity light to full on gold iridium at altitude. I find they add to the scenic empathy with their golden hues, and love the way you can change lenses relative to lighting conditions during the course of the day/trek. They maybe expensive but have found that if I ever had breakages/accidents they would replace the frames promptly and without question.> Once you buy a basic version you can buy extra lenses ranging from £30 for general shades to +£60 if you fancy polarised or photosensitive versions> p.s. The XLJ version lens has more coverage and doesn't affect your peripheral vision in the same way as Julbo style glasses--- and you dont look so daft down the pub
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 IMHO. make is not important, they need to be at least cat. 3, wrap-around style. They must fit well, so they don't slip down or fall off! Snowblindness can be like 'welder's eye', depending on how bad a case, can be one of the sorest things to experiance. If you can at end of trek/climb give to sherpas, will be very much appreated. Also take factor 30+, or total, sunblock/cream, at altitude you will burn otherwise. HTH.
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Also take factor 30+, or total, sunblock/cream, at altitude you will burn otherwise. HTH. Very good point H. I was in the Alps some years ago with a mate. I am blessed with mediterranean skin...was using factor 30 and got a bit sore after one particularly strong sun day. My matey, who is very fair, used the same factor 30 and long sleeves burnt really badly, requiring medical attention.... Ask Metric Kate what she uses as I know she has particular problems regarding sunburn
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Last trip I was on to High Atlas I was using factor 50, I tan easily and rarely burn. Even so I could 'feel' the 'tingle' of the start of sunburn by end of first day. Luckly didn't occur, but I came home with a tan, (on exposed areas), that was 'better' than some friends lying on a beach in Spain for 2wks. !!!!
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