Experienced trekking guide and mountaineer shares, Golden rules of trekking in Nepal

Expert mountaineer and trekking guide- Dayula Sherpa

“The first thing I prioritize during the trek to Nepal is Guest’s safety and security. Mountains in Nepal are magnificent but trekkers need to know that ignorance is never an excuse when something goes wrong in the Nepalese highlands. I focus on guest-guide intimacy, which is truly professional. Permitting trekkers to enjoy the moment, which in the near future may adversely affect on the ultimate destination of the trek is unethical attribute of a trek guide. Trek guides should know the practice of tough love. There are rules in mountains for both; Guest and the guide. Everyone shall follow these. Rules do not imply to restrict the fun trekkers deserve and desire during the trek in Nepal. Rules in the mountains refer to enjoy your trekking holiday to the fullest abiding few simple golden principles of trekking. I as a guide make sure that a trekker trekking with me boards a plane to his home sound and healthy.”- Dayula Sherpa

A joyful mountaineer who knows to satisfy with his achievements shows immense respect to the mountains from where he has been earning name and living for the last two decades. Mr. Dayula knew the limit his body could endure and hence he took the voluntary retirement from professional mountaineering in 2010. Obviously, it was a tough decision for a top-notch mountaineer like Dayula but his decision to live a peaceful life with family undertaking smaller challenges is understandable and admirable. However, before his retirement, he scaled Everest, the world’s summit three times. He also conquered several other 8000m+ peaks, which include Makalu twice, Shisapangma twice, Cho-Oyu once and Manaslu once. He also climbed technically challenging 7000m+ Tukuche peak twice and he ascended to the top of almost every climbing peaks in Nepal several times.

Every trekker with Dayula is a satisfied trekker

Aged 39, Mr. Dayula Sherpa was born in the isolated village of Khumbu. He started his trekking career at the early age from Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure. He never chased the records and limelight. Recently, he is senior trekking guide at Explore Himalaya- recommended and trusted by every trekker who has trekked with him. He says, “Mountain is my home and I know how to handle guests in my home.”

He has a set of golden rules for guides and guests, which could be beneficial to all trekkers trekking in Nepal.

Vibrating Phone and Free Ears:

During the trek, guides shall keep their mobile phones in the vibrating mode. Unless emergency, the guide shall not attend the call. He should focus on guest’s interest and politely answer to guests questions. He should prioritize in offering more information to the guest trekker. Both guides and guests shall walk with free ears. No headphones shall be plugged in to the ears. The trek needs to be interactive.

Drink heavily:

Drink heavy, but avoid alcohol throughout the trek. Drink enough water, juice, tea and coffee so that the body doesn’t suffer dehydration because of gaining altitude and trek exhaustion. This rule implies to both guides and the trekkers. Drinking alcohol after the trek ends to celebrate the success is really meaningful.

Proper Acclimatization:

Avoid rapid altitude gain. Higher the altitude thinner the air, gaining elevation in the rapid pace restricts your body to get used to with thinner air. Insufficient acclimatization leads to Altitude Mountain Sickness. Guide shall never encourage quick gain of altitude they should strictly refuse the guests proposal of gaining altitude in quickly. We have researched for years to design trekking itineraries. At least both guide and guest shall follow it.

Dayula has conquered Everest thrice- a dream for many climbers around the globe

Climb High Sleep Low

The basic principle of trekking and mountaineering all around the world is “climb high sleep low”. That implies while trekking in Nepal as well. A good guide abides this rule so perfectly that each trekker in the trekking group is exposed to higher altitude, is introduced with thinner air and while sleeping they slide down to lower altitude to minimize the risk of AMS- a proven method to get rid of AMS in high altitude.

Rules of Government of Nepal

Guides should know the rules of Government of Nepal regarding the mountains and activities in the mountains. For example, a woman wanted to swim in the lake below Kalapttar during Everest Base Camp Trek to raise the fund for noble cause. Can she do that? Yes, but she needs to pay huge permit fee and mandatorily should possess a Liaison Officer with her. Ignorant guide may allow her and next moment the woman might be penalized. So, the guides need to be updated with all rules of Nepalese mountains while trekking and mountaineering in Nepal.

Respect Local culture

Everyone should respect the local culture of the region, he/she is trekking. Guides shall brief about the local culture to all trekkers and trekkers shall respect it. For example, a trekker wanted to walk naked from Everest Base Camp to Gorakshep. Local culture doesn’t allow this. So, every trekker need to respect the local culture and religious values of the local region.

Born to guide in the Himalayas

No two hosts

While trekking in Nepal, trekkers pass by many teahouses and they express amazement on seeing people living in such isolated locations. Amazement is genuine and equally genuine is the livelihood of several families made possible by the operation of teahouses in such far-flung places. Once a group paid for the room and kept their luggage in the room of ABC Teahouse. They set out to explore the vicinity and on the way, they had their dinner at XYZ Teahouse. As they reached ABC Teahouse, they find their luggage at the reception. Upon asking, the angry teahouse owner said that there isn’t room for you. This is not disrespectful and this isn’t city. This is the struggle for survival. When teahouses offer you space for the night at a cheap price-respect it and pick the same host for your dinner. Teahouses make profits from food not from giving trekkers rooms to crash in.

Right is right:

While circumambulating any Buddhist landmark (monastery or chorten) during treks go clockwise or begin from your right unless you are circumambulating a Bon Monastery.

Trekking gears and clothing

Dress properly. Strong and comfortable trekking boots, loose trousers, a sun hat, light T-shirts, jacket and sleeping bag to cope with the temperature throughout the trek, pair of sunglasses, a duffel bag, warm socks and a pair of gloves are recommended for the trek. Do not trek heavy. Trekking pole, sun lotion, water bottle and water purifying pills shall be enough while trekking in Nepal. A camera with extra batteries and a set a pen and copy are recommended materials while trekking in Nepal.

Dayula admires the beauty and power of the mountains

Dare to quit:

When it comes to life, dreams do not matter. Once the trekker experiences early symptoms of AMS, they need more acclimatization so that the situation does not worsen. In case the severe symptoms of High Altitude Sickness like Pulmonary Edema or Cerebral Edema is seen, it is wise to descend down to lower altitude. Dare to quit the trek at times. Mountains remain and you can go higher any other time if the life remains. Understand the severity of altitude sickness, at times it disguises and kills.