Trekking to a high-altitude destination is already a challenging prospect to take on and can be even more intimidating when the said destination is some of the highest places to exist on earth’s surface. But this intimidating trek comes with stupendous views of the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, as well as other equally beautiful and high peaks such as Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.
But navigating the trek can be a bit of a headache if you are not well prepared and do not know the actual difficulty level and how to tackle it efficiently so that it will guarantee a safe and comfortable trekking experience. So on this blog, we will take a deep dive into the difficulty and how to successfully complete the trek in the best way possible.
Navigating Difficulty of the Gokyo Lake Trek
There are a number of things that can be related to “difficulty” while trekking. It does not essentially make it impossible to successfully conquer; it just means that it can be a bit strenuous. But these difficulties can be easily tackled with proper knowledge and preparations.
Altitude and Acclimatization
One of the major factors to consider when planning for the trek is its altitude. The higher you ascend, the more the oxygen level also decreases. There’s a reason why many climbers take oxygen support for mountain expeditions. But for trekking, it is not necessarily required as long as you acclimatize properly to the elevation. If you do not acclimate properly, you risk getting altitude sickness, which can make your trekking experience not so pleasant.
The risk of altitude sickness normally begins once you reach 2500 meters, so knowing the trekking destination and its elevation is very important. So talking about the Gokyo Lake Trek, the highest elevation is the Gokyo Ri at 5,357 meters and the Gokyo Lakes are at an elevation of 4,700 meters. This means acclimatizing is a very crucial part of trekking.
Depending on if you plan on summiting Gokyo Ri or not, as it stands higher than the Everest Base Camp itself, acclimatization is absolute.
Your itinerary must have set out days for acclimatization where you can practice “trek high, sleep low.” A classic example of this is staying an extra day at Namche Bazaar, where you hike up to Hotel Everest View or make a round trip to Khumjung village and back to Namche Bazaar. This way your body will get a chance to get used to the high ascent for the next day.
Apart from getting used to the high altitude, you also need to know what the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) are and do everything in your power to avoid it. From gradual ascent, rest days, proper diet, and hydration to knowing what your body needs, it is the best way to avoid suffering from AMS. And in the case of AMS, descending is the best way to reduce the symptoms and feel better.
Trekking Trails and Terrain
Trekking in the mountains is a very different experience compared to doing something like bush hiking or jungle hiking. There are ups and downs on trails that require you to push your body in ways you normally wouldn’t. The ascent of the hills can be quite challenging; adding on to the challenge is also the high altitude. The descent can be a bit challenging on the knees.
However, the trails of Everest are well maintained for the most part. The rugged terrain presents the most adventurous journey of trekking. To tackle this, you need to be prepared with good physical stamina. The 12- to 14-day trek can require an average of 5-7 hours of walking every day. The rocky trails require focus and balance while ascending and descending; it can seem a bit intimidating but with sure steps, you can successfully complete the trek.
Seasons and Weather Conditions
Different seasons bring different experiences. The absolute best seasons for doing the Gokyo Lakes Trek are autumn and spring. These two seasons are known to offer pleasant weather and moderate temperatures, which is why the majority of trekkers choose either spring or autumn for their journey. The spring has stable weather and to top it off, you can see the full bloom of the rhododendrons as well. Autumn presents the most stable weather, even more so compared to spring.
Winter is also known to present you with some of the best and clearest views of the mountains, the only downside being thick snow and extreme cold. So, if you prepare really well, winter can be a good time to do the trek. And of course, the lakes will all be frozen. Summer is the least preferred one because of rain. Being the monsoon, the lower region gets rained on pretty much every day, making the trails muddy and slippery and attracting leeches. But this is the perfect time if you want to witness a staggering green forest in its wake, with crisp, clean mountain air filling your lungs.
Trekking Experiences, Endurance, and Fitness
While prior experiences are not exactly required to do this trek, it certainly will be a lot of help if you have them. But if it is your first time trekking in general, there are a number of things you can do to prepare for a trek that is comfortable and successful. Prior trekking experiences allow you to prepare yourself mentally for the sort of push you have to do during trekking in the mountains.
Endurance and fitness are the key to a successful trek. While physical fitness is always emphasized, mental strength is also equally important. Because if you give up mentally, you cannot do anything even if you are fit as a horse. For this, preparing at least one month prior to the trek is crucial.
Exercises that cater to strengthening your core and cardiovascular strength are the best way to prepare. Maintaining your physical fitness through exercises and a well-rounded diet increases the chance of success of the trek. And of course, being mentally prepared for the rough yet beautiful experience the mountains have to offer.
Trekking Guide and Porter Support
Hiring a local registered trekking guide and porter for your support can go a long way. It is not exactly a mandated requirement, especially for porters but it is something that will make your experiences infinitely better. Hiring a guide is not only better in terms of getting to experience all the nooks and crannies of the mountain trails but also generally safer.
To do a solo trek to the Gokyo Lakes, you need to be prepared accordingly. A guide’s job is not only to show you the way to the top and bring you back but also to prepare for everything in advance so that you can enjoy your trek without having to worry about things like getting permits and booking flights and hotels. It is especially helpful during the peak season when booking a hotel after reaching the destination is very hard.
While people often did solo treks before, the government of Nepal has banned trekking without a registered guide. It is mainly due to trekkers getting lost on the trail, so to minimize such risks, the law has been placed. Make sure you are up to date with the local law before embarking on your adventurous trek.
Gear and Equipment Support
Trekking in the mountains, especially in the Everest region, means that you will be putting yourself out there in the wilderness. And your steady support for a comfortable trek will be your gear and equipment that are specifically made for trekking. Imagine wearing your Nike Jordans and Air Forces to the mountains; it’ll be like taking a knife to a gunfight. The gear that ranges from the T-shirt you wear to the type of socks—it all matters when you are trekking. You will need something that is lightweight but also quick to dry.
Good, sturdy, well broken-down trekking boots guarantee a smooth trek. A trekking bag and trekking poles for support will instantly give you the means to stride to your destination by minimizing the physical difficulty, and when you are doing well physically, your mental state will also be pleasant. Making a well-updated packing list for the trek makes everything easier. It ensures you don’t forget anything important, from important documents to
Why choose the Gokyo Lakes Trek?
While the majority of the trekkers coming to Nepal’s first choice is the Everest Base Camp Trek, it can be a bit overcrowded during the best seasons. Which is why an alternative route from the trail leading up to the Gokyo Lakes, which are listed under the Wetlands of International Importance, might be just what you need.
Not only do you get to see the pristine Gokyo and its associated lakes, but also equally stunning views of the stunning snow capped peaks, including the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest.
And what's more is that you can do the Everest Base Camp Trek via Gokyo route as well, which takes you through one of the three high passes in the Everest region, Cho La Pass. And it is not a trek that requires prior experience, as it is moderately challenging but doable for even first-time trekkers. You just need to make sure you have a certain level of fitness and prepare for the trek by doing regular exercises.
Conquering Gokyo Ri
While the trek to the Gokyo Lakes itself is going to be a breathtaking experience, summiting Gokyo Ri will be even more magnificent with the views that are only exclusive to the summit. Standing at 5,357m / 17,575 ft above sea level, Gokyo Ri presents a steep climb to the top that can definitely add to the physical exertion. But the harder the labor, the sweeter the fruit, so the panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu are nothing short of awe-inspiring. But it should be easier to navigate as long as you follow a cohesive plan and preparation.
Conclusion
Difficulty is a subjective experience; someone who is an outdoorsy person and physically active will find this trek a breeze and not that hard but people who are not used to the steep ascent and descent of the mountains will find it challenging. That being said, one thing is for certain: you will get the best views of the mountains in the Everest you could possibly imagine, along with the pristine views of the Gokyo and its associated lakes.
The Gokyo Lake Trek is the perfect blend where you can see the breathtaking scenes of mountains and nature whilst interacting with the Sherpa communities and getting a sneak peek into their culture and traditions. The journey might be moderately challenging but is equally rewarding so long as you prepare adequately, creating a memory of a lifetime. If you plan on doing the Gokyo Lakes Trek, let us be of service to you. You can contact us via +977 9851175531 or info@alpineramble.com
Meanwhile, you can check out the following:
Everest Base Camp Trek in Spring
Permits for the Everest Base Camp Trek
Everest Base Camp Trek: Length, Distance, and Elevation
