Mount Everest Base Camp | Solukhumbu

Mount Everest Base Camp (EBC) refers to two staging grounds on opposite sides of the mountain: the South Base Camp in Nepal ($5,364\text{m}$) and the North Base Camp in Tibet ($5,150\text{m}$). The South Base Camp is the primary destination for global trekkers and South Col expeditions.

Visual Characteristics

EBC South is a temporary "tent city" situated on the moving Khumbu Glacier. It is characterized by bright yellow expedition tents, prayer flags, and the surrounding amphitheater of peaks including Pumori, Lhotse, and Nuptse. The terrain is a volatile mix of ice, loose rock (moraine), and glacial pools.

Location & Access Logistics

Nepal (South): Located at $28^\circ 00'26''\text{N}, 86^\circ 51'05''\text{E}$. Access is via a 65 km trek from Lukla (approx. 8–11 days).

Tibet (North): Located at $28^\circ 08'29''\text{N}, 86^\circ 51'05''\text{E}$. Accessible by vehicle via a paved road from Tingri.

Permits: Requires a Sagarmatha National Park permit and a Khumbu Pasang Lhamu local entry permit.

Transport: Most hikers fly into Lukla ($2,860\text{m}$) and trek upward. Helicopter shuttles are available for luxury tours or medical evacuations.

Historical & Functional Role

EBC serves as the primary logistics hub for summit attempts.

Acclimatization: Climbers spend weeks here to adapt to the thin air before moving to higher camps.

The Khumbu Icefall: The South Base Camp sits at the foot of this treacherous, shifting ice field, which climbers must navigate to reach Camp I.

Staging: It houses communications centers, medical tents (the "Everest ER"), and kitchens for expedition teams.

Key Highlights for Trekkers

The EBC Rock: A spray-painted boulder marking the official arrival point, serving as the primary photography spot.

Kala Patthar: A nearby peak ($5,545\text{m}$) that hikers climb for the most famous view of Everest’s summit (the summit is obscured from EBC itself by Nuptse).

Gorakshep: The final cluster of lodges ($5,164\text{m}$) where trekkers sleep before the final 2–3 hour walk to Base Camp.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Accommodation: Trekkers do not sleep at Base Camp unless part of a permitted climbing expedition. They stay in Gorakshep.

Connectivity: Everest Link Wi-Fi is generally available. Cellular signal (Ncell/NTC) is intermittent and relies on line-of-sight to towers in Gorakshep.

Medical: During the spring climbing season, the Everest ER provides emergency care, though their primary focus is the climbing community.

Best Time to Visit

Spring (late March–May): Best for seeing the full expedition setup; the "tent city" is only present during this window.

Autumn (October–November): Best for clear views and stable weather, though the camp is largely empty of climbers.

Safety: Altitude and Environment

Oxygen: Atmospheric oxygen at EBC is approximately 50% of that at sea level.

AMS: Acute Mountain Sickness is a high risk. Standard itineraries include "acclimatization days" in Namche Bazaar and Dingboche.

Glacial Movement: The camp is on a glacier that moves roughly 0.2m per day; tent positions and paths shift throughout the season.

Nearby Landmarks

Khumbu Icefall – 0.5 km North

Gorakshep – 3.5 km South

Cho La Pass – 15 km West

Lobuche – 8 km South