Preparation for Nepal Trek

Preparation for trip to Nepal

Getting in shape:

The summer before departure I walked for 5 KM every day that I could. During the last two weeks before departure I started walking with my hiking boots on and carrying my daypack with some weight in it and extended my distance to 10 km. I wish I had started to do this sooner.

In July I went on a 300 km bicycle trip which took us a week, with one day of rest. Our bikes were fully loaded with tents and everything we needed for the week. I found this to be helpful in increasing both my leg strength and cardiovascular fitness.

I also did a three day hike in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, USA which although not near the altitude of the Himalaya was a good trial run for climbing. The Annapurna circuit which we were planning to do is classed as moderate with difficult sections. The terrain in places in the White Mountains was much more difficult then anything we encountered on the circuit. The high altitude, up to 5416 meters (17,700 ft) made up for that. There were two particularly difficult days on the circuit. Going over the Thorung La itself and going from Tatopani to Ghorepani. The better shape you are in the more you will enjoy the trek.

Medical preparation:

I was already immune to both Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B . If not make arrangements to get these shots. In Ontario, Canada all the shots you need can be taken at the Public Health Unit.

I also took a booster for Typhoid fever. ($30.00 cdn
Meningitis, debated about this one but at the last minute decided to get it. ($40.00 cdn.)
Rabies: I did not feel this necessary but my friend did take it. The monkeys in Kathmandu are reported to possibly have rabies.( around $100.00 cdn.)
Malaria pills: Took Lariam, but did not start taking the pills until the week before I went to the Chitwan in the Terai area of Nepal My friend took Doxecycline.
Because of my age I also took a stress test to check out my heart. If you have any lung or heart problems they advise you to forget about going to that altitude (5416 meters for the Annapurna circuit). I agree with the warnings.

Other things to check out.

Mountain Sickness: Read about AMS and proper acclimatization. A good source of information is The Himalayan Rescue Association.
Drinking water: Make plans for treating your water. It is not safe to drink the water in Nepal. Even the cleanest looking streams may be contaminated. We took filters and Iodine to treat our water with. On the trail we just used the Iodine as it was too much hassle to filter the water. I would not carry a filter the next time. I found adding Gatorade powder to the treated water made it more palatable, and it replaced some of the potassium lost from all the sweating in the hotter areas. There are also neutralization tablets you can use. There is bottled water available but the discarded bottles add to the pollution of the country and some of the bottles may be filled up from the local streams. Everything in those mountain villages must be carried up by porters and not many of the bottles are ever carried down again. The higher you go the more important it is to drink lots of water.

Travel documents:

Valid Passeport:
Visa: Can be obtained before you go or at the airport on arrival in Kathmandu.
Out of country travel insurance that includes helicopter evacuation from a mountainous area.

woodmanj@kos.net