Annapurna Base Camp or better known as ABC trek is no doubt one of the most fascinating treks in the earth. Sustaining Nepal's repute as one of the enthralling & geographically rich nations in the planet, Mt Annapurna is the tenth tallest mountain globally.
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is a must if you like adventure alongside cultural & spiritual experience while passing through the diverse vantage points, settlements and tranquil monasteries. However, there are few things every trekkers should keep in mind while looking for the ABC trek. Some of them are mentioned below:
Altitude sickness:
It's physical state that takes place at higher altitude (above 2000m) because of the change in air pressure causing issues like diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, appetite loss and even fatal condition like death. As ABC lies at a greater elevation, AMS is the most widespread issues encountered by hikers. It's really essential to be conscious regarding the symptoms & the ways to avoid them.
Know the best season to trek:
ABC trek made massive headlines in 2013/14 trekking season with storms & sliding claiming about hundreds of precious lives. SO, the most favorable time to relish the trek is throughout autumn (September to November) or spring (February to May) when the weather is mild with fewer possibilities of storms & avalanches. The panorama of the enclosing mountains & lush-green gorges is also the finest throughout these periods when witnessed from the vantage points such as Poonhill & Tadapani.
What you should bring with you?
TIMS and Annapurna Conservation Area are the most essential when hiking the ABC path. This's an exceedingly photogenic province of the earth, so you'll be taking more photos of picturesque terrains & the incredible mountain panoramas. Bring your digital camera with an extra memory card and battery, so that you hardly miss any opportunity to click a beautiful moment. Alongside this, do bring a first-aid box, all the essential medicines, sunscreen, torchlight, refillable water bottles and not to say positive attitude.
What type of challenges you may face?
Though a trek for a day or 2 may be an ideal time for everybody, ABC is not a picnic. People with no earlier climbing experience and also poor level of fitness could encounter several issues. So, it's wise to prepare yourself both physically and mentally by knowing the problems you may encounter during the trek.
Be it an Everest base camp trek or Annapurna base camp trek or Upper Mustang trek, trekking in Nepal is always going to be full of adventure.
Martin Wynn
