How do you set off on a big-ass expedition trip like this? Well, there are two options; you organize it yourself, or you select an operator.

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If you do it yourself, the planning needs to start a long time in advance, and not only do you need to find a team or arrange all the logistics yourself, but also need to take care of everything else, such as permits, equipment, risk management, leadership and so on. That is a story for another time, so I will not go into that here.

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If you decide to buy a seat on a commercial expedition, it is essentially very similar to going on any vacation trip, like a holiday to the Canary Islands where you select a package trip and have somebody lese take care of the details.

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So, in a similar manner, when deciding to go to the mountains you decide where you want to go, what level you want – is it 3-, 4- or 5-star, and then you buy a ticket. Simple as that 😁
 

With a mountaineering expedition, depending on your budget, you can go from the basics of having support only until Base Camp, all the way to having somebody else carry all your stuff, cook, fix ropes, and essentially baby sit and feed you cheese and red wine. Pretty much everything else except wiping your butt.

Right now the most expensive expeditions to Mt Everest, for instance, run easily over 120,000€, and there you may have a two-room 4m insulated and heated dome tent, a queen-size elevated bed, a small lounge area with big windows towards the mountain! But it doesn't stop there 😎 - the common area might consist of a 10m dome tent, a sauna, pool table, full bar and professional cooks. Plus there may be somebody who runs yoga classes every day. Pretty incredible, isn't it? And these are usually sold out!

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Well, whatever option you choose, whatever level of support you decide to go for, you will most likely end up in the company of other people taking part in the same expedition.

 

An essential part of the success of an expedition - as everywhere else - is the team itself. If you buy a package trip, you rarely have an idea of who else will be on the team. I have had both really bad and really good experiences. Let's see what this expedition brings. At least from what I've heard, we have a very nice and small group. Plus 1-2 guides. We were planning to leave already in June 2021, but...well, you know what happened.

 

To be honest, going on an expedition such as this is of course a bit more complicated than a holiday package to the Canary Islands because of all he preparation, training and risks involved. Normally you would reserve a seat at least a year beforehand as it requires quite a bit of preparation; physically, mentally, socially and financially.

 

What is the hardest thing when being gone for 7 weeks? That you get to shower or wash your sweaty underwear and socks only occasionally? Nope. Or that you do not have the luxury of porcelain to sit on? The food? No, not those either. Those are just daily comforts that we are so used to, that are taken away for a while. You quickly get used to being without them – it is only temporary, in any case 🤣
The added bonus is that when you do manage to shower or wash your clothes you really start to appreciate something you perhaps do not even think about during your normal daily life! 

 

No, without any doubt, at least for me, the hardest part is leaving. The moment when you're saying goodbye to loved ones. Those are moments you think about when you’re stuck in the tent for days during a snowstorm; how are they, what are they doing, and so on - they are the ones that make you home sick, the things you really miss, and I think it is good to acknowledge that beforehand, to know that it will happen. And it is guaranteed, you will have a lot of time by yourself!

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Once you have said your goodbyes, and get on the plane, all that evaporates at least for a while. Because you are super excited to finally be on the road, towards something you've dreamed of and prepared for! 🤟🏻