Lydia Bradey. Lydia was the first woman to ascend Mt Everest without oxygen in and after years of personal climbing is now mountain guiding with Adventure Consultants.
She has since summitted Everest with AC four more times , , and as well as summitting from Tibet in Ang Dorjee Sherpa. Summiting Everest initially with Adventure Consultants in , Ang Dorjee has moved on to achieve 20 summits of Everest and 29 ascents of 8,m peaks! His skills as a climber are legendary. Frequently we consult his mountain acumen to ensure the smooth operation of an expedition.
Our group of climbing Sherpas is enthusiastic, motivated and regarded as the strongest and most cohesive group of Sherpas on Mount Everest. They have dozens of Everest summits between them. Da Jangbu Sherpa, Climbing Sidar. Da Jangbu Sherpa, our Expedition and Climbing Sirdar, has summitted Everest an impressive 13 times and brings with him considerable knowledge and experience. As a consequence of his leadership, we have a legendary group of Climbing Sherpas who operate in a harmonious atmosphere of cooperation and commitment to the expedition.
She has also worked as a ski guide and ski patroller for numerous seasons in New Zealand, Canada, Norway and Japan. Dr Sara Gordon, Expedition Doctor Sara is no stranger to heights, having lived at altitude in North America and enjoyed trekking in the Himalayas, NZ and Japan. Prior to training in medicine, Sara worked as an outdoor instructor and river guide in New Zealand and now instructs in Wilderness and Polar Medicine.
Dr Sophie Wallace, Medical Advisor. She is an experienced emergency physician, currently based at the Royal Perth Hospital in Australia. Originally from the United Kingdom, Sophie has a passion for the outdoors and has trekked, travelled, dived and worked in remote high altitude locations around the world. Sarah Macnab, Base Camp Chef. Sarah is a talented chef who has amassed over 30 years experience in the food and hospitality industry around the world, from overseeing cruise ship catering in Antarctica, the Arctic and throughout the Pacific, to ski resorts, fine dining restaurants, coffee roasting, teaching and consulting.
Sarah has also established and run successful businesses in New Zealand, where her coffee roasting skills are renowned! She joined AC as our Everest Base Camp Chef in and we were excited to have her back again in , leading our talented Sherpa kitchen staff catering to our climbing teams, expedition staff and visiting trekking teams.
Running successful journeys and expeditions is more about experience, knowledge and strategic management than any other factors. As an organisation, we place a substantial amount of time and resources into ensuring our trips are well planned and supported. You can be assured that the AC staff will provide you with friendly advice and knowledgeable support throughout the planning stages of your trip and we will be there to provide backup while the trip is running.
Hayley Furze, Client Liaison Hayley joins the AC team with a wealth of experience working in the tourism and hospitality industry along with a love of travel. She works as Client Liaison on a number of our European and international ascents, treks and expeditions. Adventure Consultants provides a dedicated doctor for the whole team. Most other teams use a generic medical provider whilst our doctor is there primarily for you and your teammates.
The doctor will monitor your overall health throughout the expedition and our medical equipment and provisions are there to provide for your healthcare needs. Ample resources will be on call to support each and every climber, not just the first team or fittest members. Remember, this is an expedition led by guides who have already climbed Everest and whose job it is to look after your interests.
This should not be confused with a "professionally led" expedition where often you may be buying a place in a team with fewer support services and led by climbers who are attempting the summit primarily for themselves.
This can seem alluring, especially when some expedition operators will encourage you to join so they can fill their available spaces but too often these are expeditions with over 20 members! The Sherpas are not trained in medical techniques and are often reluctant to act effectively in situations requiring urgency.
This is where the skills and experience of your Western guide become invaluable. There is no definite measure for assessing the required skill level to climb Everest. We prefer to discuss this on an individual basis. However, there are some broad guidelines that can be applied from the outset. It is quite common for members to have previously climbed Denali in Alaska, Aconcagua in South America and various Mexican volcanoes as training for Everest.
Prospective climbers should be familiar with crevasse rescue and glacier travel techniques and have a good overall standard of fitness. Climbers will ideally have a broad set of climbing skills from basic rock climbing to advanced cramponing on snow and ice and strong rope skills such as rappelling and rope ascending. Age itself is no barrier. To date, we have succeeded on Everest with members aged from 20 to 66 years of age.
A fierce determination and a burning desire to climb the mountain are essential prerequisites for this expedition. The guides and other expedition staff will provide the leadership, tactics and overall decision-making required during the climb but you will still have to physically put one foot in front of the other to make it to the top and back.
We recommend that prospective members undertake another expedition with us before attempting Everest. For example, Cho Oyu from Tibet is an excellent venue to learn about the problems of extreme high altitude, without the time or the financial commitment that Everest requires.
AC provides a high flow oxygen package for all team members included in the expedition fee. Many have found this critical to their success on Everest and we have seen our summit rate increase dramatically with its use.
The response from our team members has also been phenomenally positive. Climbers have reported having better energy levels, a better appetite, more warmth, a higher degree of strength and greater enjoyment on summit day.
We also ensure we have enough oxygen to wait a day at the South Col and Camp 4, before attempting the summit. Our recent experiences show that for those who really want to maximise their chance of success, then these high oxygen flow rates allow the best option for ensuring you only need to attempt Mount Everest one time!
The South Col route on Everest is not an especially technically difficult climb - nor is it the "Yak Route" which some non-Everest climbers have termed it. However, it is imperative that expedition members are well versed in the latest techniques and have experience in the high mountain environment.
What the photographs do not show are the difficulties of operating at these extreme altitudes. It is a physically demanding ascent, requiring enormous determination and stamina. An expedition to Everest is not a place for those who will give up when the going gets uncomfortable or strenuous. Days can be up to 15 hours long and although we have lightened the loads you personally carry by having enough Sherpa support to carry your equipment, the days are still arduous and taxing, especially over the 7—9 weeks of the expedition.
The outcome of the expedition will be determined by three broad groups of factors. The first is environmental weather and snow conditions, etc. The second is the logistical approach taken by the expedition leaders and the strategies employed to embark on a summit bid.
The third is your own preparation in the years prior to the expedition and how you perform whilst the expedition is underway. We can help design a training program that will both physically and mentally prepare you for the climb but you need to commit the time and energy to ensure you attain the correct conditioning.
Read our AC Blog article 'Fit to Climb' for more information on how to physically prepare for your expedition. We know that the success of an expedition is determined by factors that are planned well in advance of the outset of the actual climbing.
During our 26 previous seasons on Everest, we have observed many other groups attempting to climb the mountain. Many try to emulate our strategies without committing to the level of resources that we provide. Every step of the way, our office staff will be there to answer your questions. We recognise that no amount of finely tuned organisation will guarantee anyone the summit of Everest. However, we do believe that our experience, combined with your enthusiasm and determination, will provide you with the best possible chance of standing on top of the world.
Our track record on Everest is unmatched with summits to date! Our expeditions are renowned for the quality of the food and the expertise of our cooks. AC will import Western food for the expedition and supplement this with Nepalese products. Don't be surprised to see sushi, roast duck or fresh salmon on our menus! Snacks and hot and cold drinks are available around the clock to ensure that you maintain the strength required for the summit bid. Our Base Camp menus are planned and overseen by Western chefs and our busy kitchen Sherpa team have been working together for AC for many years.
Hygiene is paramount to an expedition's success and we ensure a high level of food safety throughout the expedition. Expedition members will be sent a list detailing all necessary clothing and equipment to be individually provided, contained within a set of Expedition Reference notes with all the details for the trip. These notes provide extensive information on everything from suggestions of what type of camera to bring, to training advice for your expedition preparation.
The Adventure Consultants facilities are hailed as the best appointed and most comfortable in Base Camp. We recognise that the more comfortable and better rested you are during your rest at Base Camp, the better you will perform on the mountain. While climbers on every other expedition are crawling in and out of a tiny mountain sleeping tent and enduring more hardship than is necessary in Base Camp, team members with Adventure Consultants are living in virtual luxury.
Meal times are a pleasure in our heated dining tent that is insulated and fully carpeted. Here you get to enjoy our meals that are famous for the quality that feature fresh local foods and specialist imported products prepared by our trained chefs.
Outside of mealtimes we have a lounge area where you can watch movies projected onto our full sized screen or lounge around on one of the couches to read or have a catch-up with team mates. We begin the expedition in Kathmandu; meeting with your guides, team members and Sherpa for a team briefing and welcome dinner followed by a day to check equipment and enjoy the sights of the city. We stay in the best quality lodges, many of which are run by our Sherpa friends, enjoying good food and Sherpa culture alongside the spectacular scenery.
There is also the opportunity for friends, family, sponsors or well-wishers to join you on the approach trek to experience a taste of your Everest adventure for themselves. Our strong Sherpa team will be busily involved in ferrying loads of equipment up the mountain.
After a few days acclimatisation at Base Camp, you will climb through the Icefall to Camp 1 and rest there for a day. During this time, the guides and Sherpa climbers will be establishing the higher camps and stocking these with bottled oxygen for the summit climb. The second trip on to the mountain will involve climbing to Camp 3 for acclimatisation before returning to base camp for a rest period.
In a perfect scenario, weather and health would remain constant, and these two trips up the mountain would take around 3 weeks. In reality, factors such as weather can add several days to the acclimatization process.
The most likely time for our summit climb will be between 15 and 25 May. All climbers will be sleeping on bottled oxygen before setting out for the summit, carrying only very lightweight oxygen bottles and using Summit masks. Sherpas and Western guides will accompany all members during the summit climb. As we approach the South Summit, the dawn breaks to reveal astounding views from Kanchenjunga in the east to Shishapangma off to the west with all the peaks of the Khumbu well below us.
The traverse along the summit ridge is exposed and exciting. The summit itself provides ample space for the obligatory summit photo and is a time to reflect on the journey thus far. For many, it is one of the most poignant moments of a lifetime. After the summit we descend via the same route, losing height quickly and generally we arrive back at the South Col some 3—4 hours after leaving the summit.
We offer a range of additional service options to complement our comprehensive array of expedition inclusions. These service options enable you to customise your expedition to your own specifications and can greatly increase your comfort and summit chances. Please contact us for current pricing and to discuss your specific needs. See our Everest-Lhotse expedition page or contact us for more details. Contact us for details.
This unique opportunity allows for climbers who have reached the summit to traverse down the north side into Tibet—potentially creating a unique 'point of difference' for sponsors. Shouldering a heavy burden can be debilitating at the higher elevations and sap crucial energy levels right when you need it.
Another service we now include in the expedition price is Additional Sherpa Support. This enables climbers to forego the carrying of heavy packs, which is often very debilitating at high altitude.
For some climbers, the long climb with a pack up to the top camp at South Col can leave them too exhausted for summit day and hence, this service greatly enhances your summit opportunity. We can, however, add an additional layer of support through our Personal Sherpa option. This option provides you with the assistance of a very experienced and dedicated Sherpa who will support you for the duration of the expedition above Base Camp.
Your Personal Sherpa will climb with you each day while you are climbing on the mountain as your climbing partner and generally assist you throughout the expedition all the way to the summit. When on the mountain, you would share a tent with your Personal Sherpa and he would supervise cooking duties.
Our Sherpa guides are very experienced with multiple ascents of Everest and other high peaks under their belts, and are friendly and supportive companions along the way! We offer Privately Guided Expeditions where you have the services of a top Adventure Consultants Western guide as well as your own Sherpa support team to work exclusively with you on the expedition.
This helps to ensure your needs are best met. We have been fortunate to work with many privately guided groups over the years with exceptional results. Under this programme we will fly you directly from Kathmandu to Pheriche. See our Everest Fast Track page for further details and costs. This option incorporates the best lodges available in the lower valley and our luxury tented camps in Dingboche and Lobuche, consisting of stand-up sleeping tents, shower tents and heated mess tents, allowing you to arrive at Base Camp rested and in the best possible condition and mindset for the challenges ahead.
We are able to offer an upgrade to helicopter transport for your domestic flights between Kathmandu and Lukla, the entrance to the Khumbu Valley. Helicopters are a faster means of transport and less prone to weather delays than fixed-wing flights when you are eager to get going at the onset of the expedition or keen to return quickly back to loved ones at the end.
We can also offer a return helicopter flight directly from Base Camp to Kathmandu if you require a speedy egress after your expedition to meet your personal or business commitments.
You may also like to talk to us about other options such as personal communication systems, or the provision of a personal tent on the mountain.
Finding the right travel and rescue insurance for your mountaineering adventure can be tricky! Rest assured when you book with the expedition specialists here at Adventure Consultants we'll help by sending through advice on what you'll need, including:.
For further information check out our Travel and Rescue Insurance page or contact us. Please note you will be emailed a set of Team Reference Notes for your chosen expedition upon registration. This extensive booklet includes detailed information to assist in the planning of your trip, from travel and medical advice to equipment lists and photography tips.
The following is to serve as a helpful guideline but please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. Our team is here to help!
I want to climb Everest, but there are so many options and the cost is high! Why should I choose AC? What makes AC different to other companies out there? We know that when you make a decision to climb Everest it is one of the most financially challenging trips to come on. Our prices compared to other outfitters that provide the same or lesser! We invite you to shop around and compare, both in price and quality. We feel strongly that you will find us to be the best in the business.
One of the main things that sets us apart is our attention to detail. Nowhere else will you find a team of people more dedicated to your success! From the time you contact the office to the time you step on the mountain, our customer service is second to none. Why should you choose AC? We invite you to contact some of our past clients to hear their stories. Contact us at the office for details. How long has Adventure Consultants been in operation?
Adventure Consultants started in and we have been guiding internationally ever since. You can read more about the history of AC here. I have heard from others that AC provides a great private trip option, how does that work and what are the costs? Seeing as your Everest expedition is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we wanted to make sure you have every possible advantage.
Some clients enjoy the added privacy and schedule flexibility that a private expedition allows. A private means you will have your own guides, your share of the Sherpa carry staff, a private dining tent and optional private communication facilities.
This allows you to climb at your own pace and enjoy the mountain on your own terms. The costs vary depending on how many climbers there in your private group. Please contact the office for details or see our Private Customised Expeditions page for more detail. Why are you sometimes more expensive than other operators? Many of our trips are very similar in price to our competitors. Some companies even wait for us to set our prices and use ours as a guideline!
Some of our main selling points, which sometimes do cost more, are internationally qualified Western guides, proven dependable local operators, small group sizes and safe client-to-guide ratios, quality equipment and high summit success rates, among other things. You do get what you pay for which is why we stand out from the rest. Which route? North or South? The South Col route from Nepal offers the best chance of success for most climbers. High royalty fees by the Nepalese Government have created a large disparity between the costs of Everest expeditions from Nepal and Tibet.
We encourage you to research details about both sides of the mountain. People will argue the virtues of either of the two approaches.
The Khumbu Icefall has a fearsome reputation and it is indeed, a phenomenal route to climb. Our Camp 2 is situated directly beneath the imposing black hulk of the notorious Southwest Face. As one climbs higher up the route to South Col, the views become even more outstanding with incredible vistas along the Himalayan chain and out towards the lowlands of Nepal. As we approach the South Summit, the dawn breaks to reveal astounding views from Kanchenjunga in the east to Shishapangma off to the west, with all the peaks of the Khumbu well below us.
After the summit, we descend via the same route, losing height quickly and generally we arrive back at the South Col some hours after leaving the summit. On the north side, climbers must do a long traverse and it is this feature where climbers cannot lose elevation quickly that can cause the demise of tired climbers, especially those who have run out of oxygen.
We only climb on Everest during the spring season because the weather becomes progressively warmer and the days longer. Winter winds have already scoured away much of the snow, which significantly reduces the snow avalanche hazard as well.
Contrast this with the autumn. Typically as the expedition goes on, the days get shorter and colder with more snowfall.
Consequently very few expeditions are undertaken in the fall and those that do have quite a low percentage chance of success. By the time you first arrive at Base Camp at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, a route will already be established with ropes and ladders through to Camp 1. The following day, you will continue up the more gentle slopes of the Western Cwm to Camp 2 to rest and acclimatise for several more days.
During this time the guides and Sherpa climbers will be establishing the higher camps and stocking these with bottled oxygen for the summit climb.
The second trip on to the mountain will involve sleeping one night at Camp 3 for acclimatisation before returning to base camp for a rest period. You cannot just decide to write a cheque and go and climb Everest! A comprehensive climbing resume is required to join our team. Usually, we look for a few minimum requirements such as Denali for the cold and glacier travel experience and Aconcagua for the altitude experience.
Beyond that, we look for well-rounded climbers with a wealth of experience. Summit day experience on an 8,m peak such as Cho Oyu , prior to going to Everest is highly beneficial. Contact the office for further details and to discuss your individual background.
What is the Fast Track programme? The itinerary follows a shortened day schedule, rather than the longer day schedule that our standard departure follows.
It still requires a large commitment in terms of dedication, determination and discipline, ensuring that you follow a strict pre-acclimatisation programme prior to your arrival in Nepal to ensure your best chance of success. How long is a typical day on the mountain?
It depends on the day and your level of acclimatisation. At the beginning of the trip, everything seems slower and longer, but as you get more adjusted to the mountain, the days go quicker. Average days can be hours long. Summit day can be up to 20 hours long. What sort of hotels do we stay at in the city? We stay at the Radisson Hotel in Kathmandu which features a rooftop swimming pool and on-site dining.
Ideally located in Lazmipat, the hotel is adjacent to the Narayanhiti Palace Museum and is within walking distance of popular attractions including Durbar Marg and Thamel. Will I be sharing a tent or room with other climbers?
Is there a single room option on this trip? You will have your own tent in Base Camp, similar to the one pictured, but on the mountain, you will be sharing a tent with others. We generally book you into a single room in the hotel in Kathmandu whilst it is twin-share in the lodges on the trek into Base Camp. A single supplement is available and please contact our office for further details.
What kind of food do you have on the mountain and at Base Camp? This will depend on what camp we are in. On the mountain we usually have a wide variety of MREs Meals, Ready-to-Eat which are significantly tastier than freeze-dried food, as they are real food vacuum sealed and ready to heat and eat!
We work really hard to make sure our food is second to none. As evidence of this, other companies have tried to steal our master chefs over to their companies! What is the best way to get to Nepal? From US? From there, Thai Airways fly direct to Kathmandu once a day.
When should I book my ticket? Generally, we ask you to wait until 90 days prior to your trip start date to ensure your trip has met the minimum numbers and will operate.
If you see a good deal and want to book your flights, then please ensure that you can make changes to your tickets or you run the risk of losing your ticket if we do have to cancel the trip.
In such situations, we are usually able to help you book on to an alternate departure, either with us or another operator. Can I get a cheap ticket online? The problem with these tickets is that you usually end up having to pay quite a lot more if you have to make any changes to your ticket.
We highly recommend using a travel agent for your travel as there are many intricacies that they can help you with. In the long run, they save you money!
We use professional travel agents for all our staff and guides' travel bookings. What if I arrive early or depart late? Of course.
On a trip as long as this, we request that you arrive in Kathmandu on the assigned date to assure your baggage makes it on time and you have time to recover from jet lag before trekking. It is hard to catch the group if you are arriving late and still waiting for lost baggage! Many people depart from our Nepal expeditions later so that they enjoy the sights and sounds of Kathmandu, but do keep in mind that this is long expedition and we find that people want to head home as quickly as possible after the climb finishes.
We are happy to help arrange any extra hotel nights that are required. Where do we meet? Will I be picked up? An Adventure Consultants guide or agent will be waiting at Kathmandu Airport to pick you up off your flight on your arrival date. Are there any entry or visa requirements? Yes there are. You can apply online or you can complete the form on the plane as they are handed out on your arrival flight into Kathmandu.
Be sure to have the suggested USD amount in cash for your visa application and have a passport photo for your arrival in Kathmandu. Do you have a recommended list of clothing we should bring? Yes, you will be sent a personal clothing and equipment list once our office has received your trip registration form and deposit.
Do I really need all the equipment on the equipment list? Yes, these lists have been carefully prepared. Please bring everything on the list! How heavy will my pack be? The trip is so long The more comfortable you are, the more energy you have for the climb, so every little thing helps!
What altitude medication will be available? All our guides carry extensive medical kits including Diamox, Dexamethasone, Nifedipine and Sildenafil for altitude illness. Some of our bigger expeditions even have their own doctor. Generally, there is no need to take prophylactic altitude medication before or during your expedition but if you have a previous history of altitude illness, then please discuss this with us and your physician.
Also, bring a small first aid kit including a blister kit and mild headache medication for the normal altitude headaches. Is bottled oxygen included? What sort of O2 masks do you use? We use Summit and Topout masks plus regulators for all our Sherpas, guides and climbers. What is the oxygen bottle size? We use 4-litre Poisk bottles, which are the lightest available at 3.
What are the benefits of bottled oxygen? Climbers have reported having better energy levels, a better appetite, more warmth, a higher degree of strength and greater enjoyment on summit day than those without. Disciplinary Action Form. Entry Receipt. Injury Form. License Receipt. The UIAA promotes the growth and protection of mountaineering and climbing worldwide by:.
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