The EBC Trek in 20 Photos From Slate Paths to Slippery Scree Shows the Degrees of Difficulty

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How Difficult is the EBC Trek ?The trail in 20 photos

It’s about what you are walking on…

EBC Trek almost to Base Camp

The last few kilometres to Base Camp on slippery scree. But let’s start at the beginning

Main Street Lukla, setting out on Main Trail EBC Trek

slate footpath in Lukla, there are flat parts through villages on the lower part of the trail.

EBC Trek Before Phakding after Ghat

Lots of steps. Down hill means uphill too.

EBC Trek Between Phakding and Monjo

rocks of all sizes

Lower suspension bridge over the Dudh Khosi taken from the higher bridge

swinging suspension bridges

EBC Trek Above Namche Bazaar

rocky paths….

EBC Trek Coming Into Khumjung

lovely smooth path into Khumjung after a big climb

EBC Trek Above Upper Phakding

windy paths along the side of mountains,

EBC Trek Heading Towards Dingboche

uphill paths innocent enough here but the altitude is increasing…

EBC Trek Towards Dingboche

paths widen over turf above the tree line

Bridge at the confluence of Khumbu Khola and the Imja Khola Nepal

and funny little bridges rivers

EBC Trek Heading towards Dingboche

Flat but at altitude don’t rush.

EBC Trek Dingboche to Dughla

Across turf at 4,000 metres

EBC Trek Dingboche to Dughla above Periche

narrow little paths along the side of the hills (Dingboche to Dughla above Periche)

EBC Trek To Gorak Shep

Almost to Gorak Shep an amazing part of the trail. Lots of rocks to pick your way over.

EBC Trek near Gorak Shep

See what I mean rocks everywhere The path to EBC from above…

EBC Trek The climb up to Kala Patthar

Smooth and not too many rocks to navigate but at over 5,500 metres to Kala Patthar the hardest steps

Everest Base Bamp Trek

Even Marathon runners know to slow down for this path

Coming down from Tengboche EBC Trek

Coming back down can be slippery with those little loose rocks.

EBC Trek Looking back towards Periche

Look at the magnificent views but watch your feet too. Always

Lukla-EBC-KP-Gorakshep_Elevation Profile

The thing to understand about these photos is on the really big climb days to Namche Bazaar and to Tengboche – you are too exhausted to take photos. And the photos don’t really show the steepness of the climb.

Here is a elevation profile I found. The triangular peak represents the acclimatisation day walk above Dingboche.

36 thoughts on “The EBC Trek in 20 Photos From Slate Paths to Slippery Scree Shows the Degrees of Difficulty”

  4. Yeah…i know… I think though we really ascended much slower than most. By the golden rule. I have to get to your African posts. I haven’t been reading or writing much lately. We leave for Italy next week so I thought I better get a few posts written and read some too. Hope your shoulder is much better.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. It must have been such a fascinating experience! Great shots of the mountains! How long did you take to prepare for this trek? I’m not sure I would have been able to handle the altitude with the climb. 😦
    Cheryl

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Hi Cheryl, it was a wonderful experience. We started out six months before and very slowly built up the intensity the last 3 months. It was pretty full on. At the time my husband wasn’t working and our children are adults. Also I work very close to home so my commuting time is ten minutes tops. So we fit in training after work. It was really worth it. The altitude – the trick is not climbing to fast. I am going to write another post about this soonish. Thanks for the interest. Louise

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Thank you for these photos. I can’t imagine running through those rocks! I’m glad I have your blog to show me Nepal. Lately it’s getting harder for me to reach this dream due to health issues (the altitude may be difficult), but I’m glad I can always refer to your posts! Take care Louise!

    Liked by 3 people

  16. HI, Louise – This is very informative!It is definitely the altitude that concerns me the most. I look forward to your upcoming post about that. (I could use all of the reassurance that I can get)!

    Liked by 2 people

  17. Absolutely love these photos and I can’t imagine how tough this must be at altitude. I was huffing and puffing at 2000m on some not so difficult hikes this summer, but 5000 m, wow! How long did you acclimatize before setting out?

    Liked by 1 person

  19. We’ll do a swap. We’ll do the Camino and you do EBC, WE are off for 3 weeks in Italy this week. So it might take a while to get that post. We’ll see how this week end goes. I really enjoyed all your Camino posts and they were informative too. Louise

    Liked by 2 people

  23. Thanks Louise! My doctor gave me supplements due to lack of iron and then had to go to a foot dr because my right foot was hurting quite a bit. Ughhh all related to hiking! Actually it’s a blessing in disguise that I didn’t go to Nepal because of my low iron. He said I wouldn’t have been able to handle the high altitude! Well hopefully, someday everything will improve!

    Liked by 1 person

  25. No it’s not plantar fasciitis but I forgot the medical term. He gave me a shot of steroids and lidocaine that caused me to react so I stopped getting it. I haven’t been back because I’m afraid of the same reaction. Fortunately my foot hasn’t been hurting as much. I can still go hiking but not sure if I can go for days of walking. 😰

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Wow! So impressed by (and envious of) your accomplishment and images. It is a dream of mine to do that hike and I’d hope to while traveling in this part of the world ..but time got away from me as I found myself diving more deeply into fewer locations. I’ll get there next time around. Delighted to have experienced the hike virtually here today (much easier to complete from the comfort of a couch ;-).

    Liked by 2 people

  33. Haha. Yes much easier but not as rewarding. I think the trek is best suited to being the sole focus of a visit rather than one of a lists of countries in a region. That way you can be properly prepared, have trained and have the right gear and have researched it well. I hope you can make it one day too. Lisa thanks for dropping by. Louise

    Liked by 2 people

  35. A BIG thank you to you, for your detailed blog on the amazing EBC and all of the very helpful info you have shared. I’m just heading back to Australia from seven wonderful weeks away in Nepal. Your info on EBC was invaluable. Also your many beautiful photographs. Already planning to return again next year. Thank you and so much appreciated.

    Liked by 2 people

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