Nepal Trek - Everest Base Camp - April or November?

[highplaces]

I'm looking to do an Everest Base Camp trek and peak climb (Lobuche East or Island Peak) in 2015. I've seen guided treks offered in both the spring (April) and fall (November). From what I've read, the fall can be clearer since the summer monsoon helps clear the dust out of the air. The days will be longer in the spring by about 1.5 hours. And the temps will be a bit warmer in the spring. Any thoughts on which time of year is better? Is one busier than the other along the route? I'm most interested in having good clear weather (not clouded in) for views, and for success on peak climb. Thanks!

[Scott P]

For the "smaller peaks" (i.e. Loguche East or Island Peak) November will have better and clearer weather. May is better to climb Everest itself since the jet stream blast the peak in the fall from the north, but the lower peaks are more sheltered since Everest and other peaks bear the brunt of the jet stream. May is busier with Everest climbers, but the trek itself is busier in November.

I'd recommend a porter to get to Everest Base Camp or Island Peak Base Camp, but you really don't need guides to get to the basecamp. I'd check around some of the services around places like Namche Bazaar. Most guesthouses in Kathmandu can probably put you in touch with a guide in advance and can arrange meeting him somewhere in one of the villages along the trek.

[Frontrangeskier]

I trekked and did Lobuche right be fore the Monsoon started in June of 12'. The weather was perfect.... The summit has an amazing view of Everest and Ama Dablam. I think my TR and link to photos is still up.
Its a blast. Enjoy.

[hop2it]

I would love to hike to Everest Base Camp one day. My friend Ling has taken people thru her travel adventure company. I know she is on 14ers.com, but I'm not sure of her screen name (I know that's not a lot of help though)

[RobertKay]

I prefer fall over spring for the reason you mention: clarity of views. But it is a little like trying to choose between two supermodels. I think your chances of success on Island Peak will be the same (and also very good). I suspect that Louche might have better success in the spring when a lot of the Everest climbers are using it for acclimatizing so there are fixed lines, kicked in steps, etc. You may also find these advantages in the fall but I don't know. I think Lobuche is a little tougher than Island Peak but not by much.

The cold shouldn't be a big issue if you bring appropriate clothes and gear.

Kathmandu is nicer in the fall and has some very interesting festivals in October and November.

You can't go wrong and will have a fantastic time.

[uwe]

The Colorado Mountain Club, as part of its 2015 Year of the Mountaineer Program, has a Mt. Everest Base Camp trek, plus Island Peak climb planned for fall, 2015. You can check it out by going to [url]cmc.org[/url] and clicking on the Adventure Travel tab, scroll down until you see the trip. Best of luck.

[Scott P]

I think Lobuche is a little tougher than Island Peak but not by much.

It does look more exposed (dmiki photo):



Full size:

http://images.summitpost.org/original/687517.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PS, I see that you have climbed it. Looks awesome.

[falcon568]

I got back from a climbing trip in the Gokyo Valley of the Himalayas mid-Nov, and we had stunningly great weather. Weather is always an X factor, but the fall seemed pretty darn stable for weather patterns and the skies were consistently clear (on most days). It's a bid colder of course, but from what I saw and everything I heard from people who had spent a great deal of time in Nepal, fall is better for the lower peaks.