Taking in mountain monasteries, mighty glaciers, and up-close views of the world’s highest peak, the trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal is one of the world’s top adventures. However, it can get pretty crowded on the roof of the world.
At the height of the trekking season, dozens of flights drop in daily to the precariously balanced airstrip at Lukla, which serves as the starting point for the two-week trek to the mountaineers’ camp at the foot of Mt Everest – or Sagarmatha, as it’s known in Nepal.
Along the route, an efficient production line has been established to deliver trekkers to their destination, featuring lodges that offer hot showers, internet access, mobile phone charging, apple-pie desserts, and bottled beer. This business has brought prosperity to mountain communities, but it has also resulted in significant costs to the pristine environment of the Himalaya.
The good news is that travelers can do a lot to make their trek to Everest Base Camp more sustainable. Here’s how.
Take a less-crowded route to ease the traffic
Photos of the gridlock at the summit of Everest during the 2019 climbing season pushed overtourism into the international spotlight. Most of the estimated 40,000 people who visit Everest Base Camp (EBC) every year are trekkers, who contribute an estimated US$300 million to the Nepali economy annually.
The crowds have created immense demand for resources and caused significant rubbish problems. Discarded plastic water bottles and food wrappers dot the landscape, and hillsides stand denuded of trees, stripped to provide firewood to heat meals and water for the trekking masses. It’s unfortunate for one of Nepal’s oldest national parks.
Instead of always trekking to EBC, consider following less crowded trails. The Chhukung Valley east of Pheriche, the Bhote Kosi Valley west of Namche Bazaar, and the Dudh Kosi Valley north of Namche Bazaar at Gokyo all attract fewer trekkers than the main route.
Pick up a collection bag to collect waste
The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) was established in 1991 to address the growing waste problem in the Everest region. Volunteers removed 10.3 tons of rubbish from the slopes of Everest and the approach to Everest Base Camp in 2019, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable trekking practices.
To help combat waste, the SPCC has installed over 100 rubbish bins at rest points on trekking trails in the Everest Region. Yangji Doma Sherpa from the SPCC emphasizes the importance of using these bins while trekking and encourages trekkers to take batteries and medicines back to their own country due to the lack of a proper management system for this type of waste.
Moreover, picking up litter during your trek contributes immensely. Record-breaking Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja advises that trekkers should carry a litter bag to collect any rubbish, regardless of its size, and take it down to Kathmandu for recycling.
Eating local matters a lot here
Additionally, consider what you eat during your trek. Yangji Doma Sherpa recommends that trekkers eat local foods as much as possible. Imported food items are often packaged in plastic, tin, or glass, which adds to the waste problem in the region. Moreover, trekkers are urged to use their own water purification systems or drink boiled water instead of bottled water.
This advice has become increasingly important since single-use plastics were banned on Everest in 2020; however, bottles thicker than 30 microns remain permissible, and remnants of the past can still be found in stream beds and undergrowth across the Himalaya.
Be mindful of your guides and their welfare
Trekking has brought wealth to the Everest region but also challenges, including increased demand for limited resources and an overdependence on tourism. Porters, guides, and lodge owners often face significant financial hardship during downturns in tourism, such as the one caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ian Wall, CEO of the Kathmandu Environmental Education Project, encourages trekkers to be mindful of their responsibilities to the people who assist them on the trails. He states, “Remember guides and porters are human beings. It’s essential to ensure they have the right clothing, warm accommodation, and adequate food.”
Moreover, it is crucial for guides and porters to have insurance. In case of emergencies, it is these individuals who ensure you receive the necessary assistance, so offering them the same consideration is vital.
Responsible trekking agencies provide insurance for their porters and guides while adhering to fair wage guidelines and provisions for life and income protection as set forth by the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal. When hiring guides or porters independently, ensure that their daily wage includes coverage for insurance, fees, and living costs.
Consider the way you contribute to the locals
Many trekkers wish to support local communities while trekking; however, it is essential to approach this correctly. Handing out gifts at random while trekking is unlikely to create a lasting impact compared to making donations through local or international charities or community projects.
According to Ian Wall of KEEP, “Over the years, trekkers have delighted in giving children pens, money, and chocolate, which has fostered a culture of begging, especially in remote areas.” Such practices can be detrimental to children and spoil the experience of interacting with local people.
Instead, consider donating books, pens, and pencils to local schools or village Ama Groups (run by local mothers) so that your contribution can benefit an entire class or school rather than just one child. Furthermore, consider sponsoring a Nepali child’s education through organizations like Plan UK or Save the Children. “Education is the key,” insists Nirmal Purja. “Donating education can transform lives.”
Donating trekking gear you no longer need at the end of your trek can also make a difference. It’s shocking how many porters traverse the Himalaya in flip-flops while their clients wear expensive trekking boots. KEEP is among several organizations that distribute donated gear to mountain communities.
Reduce your carbon footprint by taking the long route
One of the best ways to assist the Everest region is to reduce your carbon footprint. The Himalayan region is particularly susceptible to climate change, with melting glaciers swelling mountain lakes to dangerous levels and glacial lake outburst floods becoming increasingly frequent, threatening both mountain communities and infrastructure downstream.
When considering practical measures, your air travel should be the first consideration. Although overland travel to Nepal can be expensive and time-consuming, most people still travel by air. However, cutting out domestic flights can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
While the flight to Lukla takes less than 30 minutes, it is possible to trek up to Lukla following a week-long trail that once served as the main route for mountaineers. You can start from Shivalaya, which is accessible by bus from Kathmandu.
Alternatively, begin your journey at Tumlingtar, nine days east of Lukla, which also serves as a kick-off point for treks to Makalu, the world’s fifth highest mountain. Either way, you’ll discover a different perspective of the Himalaya, passing through villages more focused on farming than trekking.
Remember your firewood footprint, seek out the solar
Reducing your reliance on firewood is another significant step. Avoid firewood-heated hot water, and eat the same meals that lodge owners prepare for themselves instead of requesting special dishes. The communal stove keeping lodges warm typically operates on yak dung, which is less of a concern.
“If you’re camping, opt for kerosene for cooking; when staying in lodges, check if they have solar energy,” recommends Ian Wall from KEEP. “If not, consider moving on to the next lodge.” More lodges are now equipped with solar panels, and many are transitioning to LPG gas for cooking. However, if the only available option is a lodge that relies on firewood, consider washing in cold water or waiting until you reach a lodge with solar power.
Safety considerations and restrictions during a pandemic can change rapidly. Always check with local authorities for updated guidance before embarking on your adventure.
