(content by R.D.H.)
Island Peak, situated at an altitude of 6189 meters has captured the attention of the mountaineers because of its exceptional beauty. From, the summit of this pristine peak you can get panoramic views of mountains such as Makalu, Ama Dablam, Baruntse and Lhotse, and many others. Generally, the climbers first make it to Everest Base Camp and then head towards the Island Peak Climbing journey.
Choosing to climb the Island Peak after making it to base camp of Everest is enthralling as it provides you with magnificent sceneries of Himalayan Vistas and allows you to explore rich culture of the Himalayan Region. Summiting the Island Peak after Everest Base Camp Trekking is an incredible achievement that rewards you with unforgettable experiences.
A Guide To What You Need to Know for Island Peak Climb After Everest Base Camp Trek
Physical Fitness and Acclimatization
During Island Peak climbing and Everest Base Camp Trek, you will be in different altitude zones. After completing the Everest Base Camp your body will be acclimatized to the higher altitudes. However, the altitude of Island Peak Base Camp is 5087m and Island Peak is 6189 m and it needs additional acclimatization and a good level of fitness level. Usually, many climbers acclimatize in Island Peak Base camp.
In addition, being physically fit is important to tackle the high altitude of trek and acclimatize in the Himalayan adventures. So, few weeks before the Everest Base Camp Trek with Island Peak Climbing journey, you can focus on doing strength training and cardiovascular exercises to develop the stamina and strength required for trekking and climbing.
Some strength exercises you can do are squats, planks, deadlifts, lunges, push ups etc. Similarly, cardio exercises like running, swimming, cycling and climbing stairs can also help you develop overall endurance and enhance your fitness which will help you to complete the journey successfully.
Basic Mountaineering Skills
During Everest Base Camp Trek, you mostly have to cover long distances on foot in the rugged and uneven terrains. However, for Island Peak climbing you need to have basic mountaineering skills such as climbing with a rope, using ascenders, crampons and abseiling. You can also take beginner mountaineering classes to prepare yourself for the peak climbing journey.
Mental preparation
Being mentally prepared for the journey is essential for Peak climbing. Trekking and mountaineering are physically demanding adventures but they also require mental resilience. Sometimes walking for long hours in remote and rugged areas away from the familiar environment can be difficult. In addition, you might get exhausted while walking and even visualizing the long distances and steep paths that you need to pass through can make you lose motivation. So, it is important to be mentally prepared for the journey.
Being familiar with the challenges that can arise on the journey and developing strategies to tackle them is necessary to stay motivated. As trekkers usually climb Island Peak after completing Everest Base Camp, most of them already are familiar with the challenges and are mentally prepared. However, climbing requires technical skills and the use of climbing gear, which is relatively more complex than trekking.
So, for Island Peak climbing you should set realistic goals for each day and try not to overexert yourself. You must have a positive mindset and think about all the rewards that you get when you complete the expedition. This way you can maintain your performance, allocate time for rest and walk adequately and enjoy the journey to the fullest. Likewise, the feeling of isolation can also be difficult to cope with, so you need to communicate with your climbing team to support and motivate each other to have a smooth and successful ascent.
Gears and Equipment
During Island Peak climbing and Everest Base Camp Trek, you will be in different places in the Everest Region for several days. So, you need to pack all the essentials to have a comfortable journey. After completing the Everest Base Camp Trek, you will venture into the climbing phase and for Island peak climbing you will also need the climbing gears and equipment. Here is the list of packing essentials for Island Peak climbing.
Clothing
- Beanie
- Warm Thermals
- Hiking Pants
- Fleece Jackets
- Waterproof Jackets
- Down Jackets
- Hiking Shorts
- Sun Hats
- Insulated Gloves
- Liner Gloves
- Mittens
- Neck Gaiter
- Scarf
- Technical Fabric Base Layers
- Undergarments
- Headlamp
- Buff
- Sunglasses
- Rain Jackets
Footwear
- Hiking Boots
- Mountaineering Boots
- Gaiters
- Hiking Socks
- Warm Socks
- Liner Socks
Climbing Gear
- Climbing Ropes
- Carabiners
- Crampons
- Mountaineering Axe
- Ascender
Other Essentials
- Hydration Bladder
- Reusable Water Bottle
- High Energy Snacks
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent
- Wet Wipes
- Towel
- Soap
- Sanitizer
- First Aid Kit
- Cash
- Toilet Paper
- Trekking Poles
- Headlamps
- Lip Balm
- Ointment
- Sleeping Bags
- Passport
- Essential Medicines (Painkillers, Paracetamol, Anti-Diarrheals etc)
- Day Pack
Nutrition and Hydration
You must be properly hydrated and have nutritional meals during Island Peak climbing. It takes almost 10 hours to reach summit of Island Peak from Island Peak Base Camp. So, having nutritious meals and maintaining proper hydration is crucial to stay healthy and energized throughout the climbing period.
Monitor Weather
Weather monitoring is important during high altitude adventures like trekking and climbing. The weather in the Himalayas changes rapidly. To secure a successful ascent, you should check the weather forecast regularly during both trekking and climbing periods.
Peak climbing in unfavorable weather conditions is challenging, can affect the trek performance and also may lead to slips and injuries. So, you must check the weather forecasts and head outside for the adventure only when weather conditions are suitable. When the weather is not favorable for climbing, you should be in a secure place and modify your plan accordingly.
