How to Pitch a Tent at the Everest Base Camp

The Mount Everest base camp is the starting point for the long trek up the highest peak in the world. Reaching the base camp itself requires several airplane trips and a moderate hike for the average person. The base camp is a crowded area during the peak of the summer hiking season and campers must carve out an area amongst the scattered boulders and rocks.

Things You'll Need

  • Chinese visa
  • Tibet entry permit
  • Tibet travel permit
  • Sherpa for heavy loads
  • Tent
  • Tent rope for anchors
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Instructions

  1. Getting There

    • 1

      Secure a Chinese Visa through your local Chinese Embassy and a Tibet Entry Permit through the Tibetan Tourism Bureau. Also acquire a Tibetan Travel Permit if you plan on visiting culturally sensitive and restricted areas during your stay.

    • 2

      Book a commercial flight into Kathmandu. Kathmandu is the largest city in the region and the starting point for everyone traveling to the Everest base camp. Book a small engine flight from Kathmandu to the small airstrip at Lukla.

    • 3

      Spend several days acclimating to the 9,000-feet of elevation in Lukla if you are traveling from a low elevation region. Hire a Sherpa if you have a heavy load and begin hiking at the Lukla trailhead.

    • 4

      Hike for 7-12 days with layovers in villages to acclimate. You will experience an extreme elevation gain on the journey and doctors are available on the route to monitor your health. Continue hiking until you reach the Everest base camp.

    Pitching Your Tent

    • 5

      Locate an open space where you may pitch your tent. The base camp is typically crowded and you may locate departing groups and secure their tent sites. Look for an area with a flat clearing for the tent and minimal rocks on the tent site.

    • 6

      Remove your tent from the bag and anchor it with rocks. Unzip the tent door and place your gear inside of the tent for an additional anchor. The wind gusts on a regular basis at the base camp and your loose tent will blow away.

    • 7

      Erect the tent by assembling the poles and connecting the ends to the base of the tent. Spread out the floor material and make adjustments to create a comfortable position for the tent.

    • 8

      Tie each corner guyline on the tent to a heavy boulder. Wrap the guyline rope around the boulder two times and tie several overhand knots to secure it on the boulder. Place additional rocks on the rope and corner of the tent to create a ground anchor.

    • 9

      Stack rocks around the tent to build a wind break. You are likely to locate a previously constructed wind break when selecting a tent site. Wind is the largest threat to your tent at the base camp and you must protect the materials in any way possible.