How to Stay Clean on the Way to Everest Base Camp
In the lower valleys of an Everest trekking trip, hot showers are common. But as you climb higher toward the Mount Everest summit, getting clean becomes a logistical and expensive challenge.
Lower lodges use solar or gas-heated water. High up, where gas is carried by porters, a shower can cost $10. It’s a luxury many Mount Everest expedition members save for their rest days.
In remote teahouses, a shower consists of a bucket of hot water and a small ladle. It requires skill to stay warm in a plywood shack while washing off the dust of the Everest trekking trail.
Most trekkers take their last real shower in Dingboche before the final push to Everest Base Camp. From there on, wet wipes are the only way to maintain hygiene until the descent.
Every drop of hot water is a gift in the Himalayas. Use it wisely and look forward to the best shower of your life when you return from your Mount Everest expedition.
