Uspon na Island Peak s EBC-om – epska himalajska avantura od 18 dana

Island Peak Climb with Ebc: How difficult Is It?

Island Peak Climb with Ebc is one of the challenging treks available in Nepal. It’s not just trekking to the base of highest mountain in the world but also climbing one of the highest peaks of Nepal.

First, the trekking part is difficult enough to exhaust someone because of rugged terrain and long walking days. The altitude adds even more challenging for the most part of the trek as you will be trekking above 4,000 m.

Second, when it some to ascent, you will have to know how to use crampons, ice axe and fixed ropes which is relatively simple to learn but to put that on action for long hours is very challenging.

As for summit day, that is another exhausting day, possibly one of the longest days that will ever have. You usually start around midnight and won’t even be back in your base camp until late in the afternoon. Due to the cold weather and the altitude, every little thing will seem much more difficult than it seems.

Despite that, thousands of trekkers who have never had experience in mountaineering managed to do this every year. A good guide, proper pace, and realistic training help in achieving success.

Ako ste physically and mentally prepared to take up this challenge, you can definitely do this climb. It is challenging, of course, but certainly achievable.

Najbolje vrijeme za dolazak na vrh otoka Summit

Island Peak Itinerary can be attempted in two main climbing seasons:

Proljeće (od ožujka do svibnja)

This is the ideal season for Island Peak climb as the weather is stable with clear skies and low winds. The climate is mostly dry, and temperature at the summit ranges from (-5°C to -15°C). The trails are filled with rhododendron blooms and other climbers, making the best season for photography. The optimal summit window is considered to be from late April to mid-May, which is ideal for first-time climbers as the success rate is high.

Jesen (od sredine rujna do studenog)

Hladno, suho i stabilno vrijeme s kristalno čistim nebom čini ovo odabrano godišnje doba za penjanje na Island Peak. Temperature na vrhovima kreću se od (-8°C do -18°C), s uvjetima svježeg i suhog vremena gdje su noći hladnije nego u proljeće. Tijekom tog vremena postoji minimalan rizik od kiše/oblaka, što pruža izvrsnu vidljivost planina.

Zima (od prosinca do veljače)

Iznimno hladna sezona nije povoljna za većinu penjača, jer se temperature kreću od (-18°C do -30°C), što uzrokuje pad stope uspjeha na vrhu. Staze su prekrivene ledom, većina čajdžinica je zatvorena, a samo nekoliko zagriženih penjača pokušava uspon tijekom tog razdoblja.

Monsun (od lipnja do sredine rujna)

This is the season to avoid for Island Peak climb, especially if you are beginner as the risk of avalanche is significantly higher in high areas. Temperature of this season are unpredictable due to frequent weather changes and heavy precipitation. Flights to Lukla are commonly delayed or even cancelled during this period. We recommend choosing other trails that are better suited for the rainy season.

Za najbolje iskustvo, penjte se u proljeće ili jesen. Proljeće nudi bolju toplinu i cvjetajuće krajolike, dok jesen donosi najoštrije poglede na divove prekrivene snijegom.

This Island Peak climb is suitable for any individual with strong determination to reach the summit. It is moderate, challenging as well rewarding. You need technical climbing skills to reach the peak so, it may feel difficult, but with experts’ guidance – it is achievable. Island Peak has a PD or 2B rating, which refers to the difficulty level of the climb based on international mountaineering grading system. PD (Peu Difficile) means a little difficult and requires some technical skills, like:

• Upotreba užadi
• Osnovne tehnike korištenja cepina i dereza
• Prelazak preko ledenjaka i pukotina

The 2B Rating from Nepal Mountaineering Association generally matches the technical level of PD and indicate route may be longer at altitude, with snow and ice slopes up to 45 degrees. If you are a mountain enthusiast, Island Peak Itinerary will satisfy your climbing ambitions.

Island Peak Climbing Preparation

When preparing for Island Peak Climb with EBC, it is not just about gathering all the necessary gear and getting ready to head for trek. You should first prioritize physical fitness that should begin at least two to three months before your trek date.

Počnite s cardio exercise iznad svega. Running, hiking, cycling, stair climbing all of that will prepare you and give you the endurance you need n those long treks ahead. Add some leg, core and shoulder strengthening in there also. Practice hiking with a heavy backpack on your back. It’s pretty close to how trekking is going to be in reality.

If you manage to do so, you should try getting some mountaineering training too. The use of crampons, ice axe, and harness require some preparation, otherwise, your experience at the top will be very frustrating.

Besides, you should pripremite se mentalno. The long days, the extremely cold night temperature and the high altitude will test you in a way that you might not expect. Of course, you cannot forget about altitude preparation as well. It is essential to know what the symptoms of altitude sickness are.

Konačno, pack only the necessary equipment and items that you need. Bring high-quality equipment after testing them and strong boots (used one) before leaving. This will prevent many unpleasant surprises during the trek.

Jezik i komunikacija

Dok su nepalski is the official language of Nepal, English works just fine during the whole Island Peak Climb with EBC trek. Guide, lodge owner, shop keepers and even local speak English quite well.

In the lower village, local uses mix of Nepali with Sherpa language. The people here encounter foreign trekkers on a daily basis, so it will not be a problem communicating with them.

If you still have any problem with the communication, your guide is there to provide translation service during the trek and in remote areas where English is less common.

Communication changes after you leave Čhukung and moves into base camp. Since fewer people live at this altitude, most of the time, you interaction will be through your guide and Sherpa team.

All the signs, menu items and permit checkpoints will be English which helps in navigating in early stages even without your guide, but as you move forward you will require a guide for completion of the trek successfully rather than for translation.

Mobile Networks, Internet and Charging Facilities

It is easy to stay connected on the Island Peak Climb with Ebc, but the power of the networks slowly disappears as you ascend in elevation above the Khumbu region.

The Nepali Sim card such as Ncell i NTC works perfect till Namche Bazaar, after that the connection strength goes down but still works in some villages.

For Wi-Fi, almost all teahouses provide with some fees that rises with the increasing altitudes, so you have to pay more for the internet as you move up. But do not expect a fast speed on every part of this trail. You can make calls and send pictures but not the vides as they will probably take more time or will fail.

After departing from Dingboche to Chhukung and Base Camp the connectivity drops sharply whether its cellular network or Wi-Fi. The mobile signal gets completely unreliable and Wi-Fi is rarely available at there.

Due to no connection for contacting, your guide will carry a satellites phone which is used for contacting nearby guides only in emergencies cases. It will be the main channel of communication during the final ascent to the summit.

In case you need charging, it will be possible everywhere past Lukla, except the costs will be higher since solar energy and other generators provide electricity to the teahouses. But there won’t be any charging devices at the base camp. In order to charge you devices while climbing the mountain, you will need to have a charged power bank.

You won’t be able to post anything about your expedition during the summit. It is better to concentrate on your phone battery and use it only for taking pictures and emergencies.

Permits Required for Island Peak Climb:

Za avanturu penjanja na Island Peak, potrebno je da nabavite ove osnovne dozvole: 

1. Dozvola za nacionalni park Sagarmatha:

Island Peak se nalazi unutar granica Nacionalnog parka Sagarmatha, koji je na UNESCO-vom popisu svjetske baštine. Ove dozvole mogu se dobiti od Nepalske turističke zajednice u Katmanduu ili izravno na ulazu u park u Monjou.

Trošak: NPR 3000 po osobi

2. Dozvola za ulazak u ruralnu općinu Khumbu Pasang Lhamu

Ova dozvola je lokalni propis koji se provodi u Lukli, početnoj točki za mnoge planinarske ture i uspone u regiji Everesta.

• Ovo je zamjena za TIMS karticu u regiji Everesta.
• Košta 3,000 NPR po osobi.

3. Dozvola za penjanje na Island Peak:

Ovo je osnovna dozvola za ekspediciju. Da biste dobili ovu dozvolu, morat ćete dostaviti potrebnu dokumentaciju, platiti određenu naknadu i pridržavati se smjernica koje je postavilo Nepalsko planinarsko udruženje (NMA).

Trošak:  USD 250 po osobi u proljeće i USD 125 u jesen

Potrebna oprema za uspon na Island Peak:

Uspon na Island Peak (6,189 m) kombinacija je trekkinga i tehničkog planinarenja. Od šetnji po ledenjacima do dionica s fiksnim užadima, trebat će vam i izdržljivost i specijalizirana oprema.

• Make sure the porters are also climbing with you. They are different than guides, they help to carry your gear (usually up to 15 kg) but may not climb to the summit unless arranged. Ensure they are properly equipped if joining the summit push.

• Pack light but smart! airport usually allow (10kg of duffel + 5kg hand carry). So, choose your gear wisely and avoid overpacking.

Kontrolni popis osnovne opreme za uspon na Island Peak

• Ruksak (35–45 l za penjanje na vrh)
• Putna torba (~80L) za nosače/jakove
• Vreća za spavanje (do -20°C)
• Štapovi za planinarenje
• Boce za vodu (2 x 1L) ili hidratacijski mjehur
• Balzam za sunčanje i usne s visokim SPF-om
• Ručnik za brzo sušenje
• Osobne toaletne potrepštine
• Osnovni pribor za prvu pomoć (jastučići za žuljeve, Diamox, ibuprofen)
• Vlažne maramice i sredstvo za dezinfekciju ruku
• Power bank i dodatne baterije za kameru
• Lagani ručnik
• Putovnica, dozvole, kopija osiguranja (plastificirana ako je moguće)

1. Slojevi odjeće (Planinarenje do vrha)

Osnovni slojevi:

• Termo gornji i donji dijelovi koji odvode vlagu (2 seta)
• Donje rublje od sintetičke ili merino vune

Srednji slojevi

• Jakna ili pulover od flisa
• Softshell treking hlače
• Lagana puhasta ili sintetička izolirana jakna

Vanjski slojevi:

• Vodootporna i vjetrootporna GORE-TEX jakna i hlače
• Ekspedicijska perjana jakna (za dnevnu upotrebu na vrhuncu)
• Izolirane gornje hlače (opcionalno, ali preporučeno)

Odjeća za planinarenje:

• Prozračne majice kratkih rukava (2–3)
• Lagane treking hlače (2 para)
• Topli treking pulover ili majica s kapuljačom

2. Zaštita glave, ruku i stopala

Pokrivala za glavu:

• Vunena kapa ili šešir
• Glacier naočale s UV zaštitom
• Prednja svjetiljka s dodatnim baterijama

Ruke:

• Lagane unutarnje rukavice (podstava)
• Tople izolirane rukavice (summit)
• Vodootporne rukavice (opcionalno)

Obuća:

• Trekking čizme
• Planinarske čizme (klasa B2 ili B3, izolirane)
• Kamperske cipele/sandale
• Tople planinarske čarape (4-5 pari)
• Čarape za dan na vrhuncu (izuzetno tople)

3. Oprema za planinarenje (može se iznajmiti u Chhukungu ili Katmanduu)

• Penjački pojas
• Dereze (prilagođene vašim čizmama)
• cepin za led
• Kaciga
• Džumar (uzlaznik)
• Karabineri (zaključavanje – 2)
• Osmica ili uređaj za osiguravanje
• Trakaste remene / sigurnosna uzica
• Uže za penjanje (osigurava vodič ako je u pitanju agencija)
• Neobavezne, ali korisne stavke
• Termos (za tople napitke)
• Gamašna (za uvjete dubokog snijega)
• Visinomjer ili GPS
• Suhe vreće ili vreće za smeće (opremu držite suhom)

Savjet za najam: Opremu za tehničko penjanje možete unajmiti u Katmanduu ili Chhukungu.

Nemojte to raditi na ovom trekingu

Don’t avoid acclimatization day. Skipping acclimatization rest at Namche or Dingboche is a huge mistake which results in altitude sickness later in the trek.

Walking fast on high altitude trekking days isn’t a wise decision. It is much more important to maintain a steady pace than walking fast.

Always walk clockwise direction around stupas and prayer wheel and ask for permission before taking pictures of such monasteries.

Avoid overloading your duffel bags as well. Overloaded bags only increase your load and quickly exhaust you during trekking days.

Do not miss the practice sessions at the base camp. Your guide will provide you with crampons and rope technique lessons there and avoiding it will increase your risk on summit day.

Do not rush your climb uphill. Take your time, clip yourself to those fixed ropes and listen to your body.

Putno osiguranje

Travel Insurance is an absolute necessity when Climbing Island Peak with EBC. It is not just a document, it your life saver when you face serious problem.

In your travel insurance, it must cover trekking više od 6,000 metara because Island Peak summit is way higher than the average altitude that might not be covered by regular insurance plan. It is also important that your insurance have mountaineering or climbing not only trekking. Island Peak Climbing is considered technical climbing, and this requires its own separate insurance from the trekking one.

For your travel insurance, helicopter evacuation is very crucial. In serious cases of any medical condition, or an accident, the only option would be helicopter rescues due to lack of medical services in the remote areas which might cost you a lot of money without insurance covering you.

Medicinsko pokriće should include hospital treatment in Kathmandu, just in case you need care after coming down from the mountain.

Zdravlje i sigurnost

Sigurnost je na prvom mjestu na usponu na Island Peak. Aklimatizacija igra ključnu ulogu u sprječavanju visinske bolesti. Penjte se polako i dopustite svom tijelu da se prilagodi.

Hidratacija je jednako važna. Pijte puno vode tijekom cijelog planinarenja, nastojeći unijeti barem tri litre dnevno. Dehidracija vam se može prikrasti, posebno na većim nadmorskim visinama.

Spakirajte odgovarajuću opremu kako biste se zaštitili od nepredvidivih vremenskih uvjeta. Slojevito odijevanje najbolje funkcionira; omogućuje vam prilagođavanje odjeće na temelju promjena temperature tijekom dana.

Znaj svoje granice i slušaj svoje tijelo. Ako se osjećaš loše ili iscrpljeno, uzmi dane odmora ili se vrati ako je potrebno.

Prije početka ove avanture držite kontakte za hitne slučajeve dostupnima i obavijestite prijatelje ili obitelj o svom itineraru. Uvijek je mudro planirati nepredviđene okolnosti tijekom planinarenja kroz prekrasne krajolike.