INFORMATION FOR MOUNTAINEERS

1. CHOOSE YOUR TAVEL AGENCY CAREFULLY: Research before choosing a company to go on expedition with including their safety record and success rates.

2. INSURANCE COVERAGE. Please ensure that you have comprehensive and reliable mountaineering insurance coverage from a reputed company which covers expenses for rescue of personnel and helicopter evacuation/recovery from high altitude.

NOTE (regarding 1 & 2 above): This Embassy is not in a position to provide any kind of advice regarding Travel/Insurance Agencies.

3. MEDICAL FITNESS. Please obtain latest comprehensive medical fitness certificate deeming you fit to climb in extreme high altitude.

4. UNDERGO REQUISITE TRAINING: Regularly undergo and successfully complete basic and advanced mountaineering training from reputed institutions. School children and amateur mountain enthusiasts must be discouraged for their attempts to do above 8000 meters in the beginning since mountaineering is a risky adventure.

5. ACCLIMATIZE BY GAINING EXPERIENCE. All mountaineers should gain substantial experience prior to making expedition attempt of peaks above 8,000 meters. Mountaineer should gradually build experience by initially climbing smaller peaks and then attempting higher peaks at 6,000 meters and then 7,000 meters prior to attempting peaks above 8,000 meters.

6. AVOID THE RUSH. If possible, avoid the rush. A large number of climbers attempt Mt Everest expedition. However, there are other peaks above 8,000 meters in Nepal with less number of mountaineers which may also be explored.

7. CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENTS: Check the condition and quality of your equipment’s, including quality of oxygen cylinders, masks, regulators and compliance certifications (in particular age and expiry of cylinders).

8. RESPECT THE MOUNTAINS. Although with fairly relaxed norms, it has become increasingly easy for adventure seekers to attempt climbing high peaks in Nepal, there are serious risks involved. There have been several cases of casualties and severe injuries to mountaineers in such expeditions.

9. SAFETY FIRST. Mountaineers should attempt to minimize/eliminate risks involved while climbing. Highest priority should be given to safety while attempting to summit and successfully return back.

10. LISTEN TO YOUR SHERPA GUIDE/EXPEDITION AGENCY. Your Sherpa guide and expedition agency are in the best position to advice you regarding your expedition attempt. When advised to retreat/stop, please do so.

11. ENSURE A SAFE RETURN/DESCEND. Returning back safely is an integral component of a successful expedition. Majority of casualties and injuries occur while descending from the peak. Exhausting all your energy in attempting to summit a peak poses a grave danger to your life and successful descend. Plan and prepare your expedition to ensure a safe return/descend.

*************