30 Jun 2019 Prakash Devkota
Mera Peak Climbing is a popular peak climbing adventure in Nepal. It is officially declared as the highest trekking peak in Nepal. Mera Peak stands as high as 6,476 m at the northern part of the Eastern Himalaya. It is located between Lhotse and Ama Dablam in the Khumbu Region.
Though Mera Comes among some of the easiest peak climbing, it has some technical parts which demand good climbing gears, knowledge to use those climbing gears for the technical climbing and above all a good physical body. In short, a successful and secure climb depends upon the way you prepare for it.
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- How is Mera Peak versus Island Peak?
- How to Prepare for Mera Peak Climbing?
- Gears and Equipment List for Mera Peak Climbing
Back to >> Mera Peak
The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today. The same rule applies to peak climbing as well. Successful Mera Peak Climbing is all about the preparation. Proper training, good health, and firm determination are very basic prerequisites for dealing with the Himalayan wilderness.
Training for Mera Peak Climbing
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Daily Gym Work and Training
Assuming Mera Peak without proper and specific training is meaningless. You will be travelling to the high altitude along with the up and downhill trails. The high you assume, the low level of oxygen will be. Serious training efforts must be in your top priority.
Most people need to train specifically for such a trek for at least three to four months. Aerobic Training, Strength Endurance Training, Hiking Training, etc must not be ignored. Let me discuss these specific training in short.
Aerobic Training
Aerobic or Cardio Training is must to cope with the high altitude and low level of oxygen. This training basically focuses on developing the endurance capacity of your heart, lungs, and structure of your blood cells. Cardiovascular training includes jogging, walking, running, swimming, and cycling. These kinds of training activities help to improve your breathing and heart capacity.
You can also train on the stair master and incline treadmill. Aerobic and cardiovascular training help to push your lactic threshold higher. This helps you to perform at higher heart rates for longer. This type of condition helps your body to adapt to the high altitude. In the beginning, you can train yourself for 3-4 days a week and increase the frequency slowly afterwards.
Strength Endurance Training
The low oxygen level at the high altitude weakens your body. Therefore, you need to develop strength and endurance capacity. Mera Peak climbing requires you to walk 6/7 hours on a daily basis. You will have to walk on rough and rocky terrain. To help with this, you need to build good core and leg strength along with endurance.
You can include lunges, squats, and step- aerobics to your training. These types of training are a must to minimize the risk of injuries. Besides that, sit-ups, shoulder presses, pull-ups, back and shoulder flies are other activities that help to improve your muscles. Start comfortably and work your way up using weight later on.
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Hiking Training
Mera Peak climbing includes up and down the step of the steep trail. You will also be walking across glaciers wearing heavy boots and crampons. You will also have a backpack weighing about 25 to 30 kg. So, a training program similar to the actual trail and climb will have to be rehearsed. If you are not used to hikes, you can start slow with day-long hikes.
Diet
Mountain climbing has a high requirement of energy. Proper diet is a must for your physical fitness. A proper diet includes the proportional amount of major nutrients. Besides that drinking enough water is the most basic thing to do.
During high altitude treks like Mera Peak climbing, your body will be losing water due to the heat generated in your body. You need to keep drinking water to prevent yourself against altitude sickness too. It is prescribed to drink 4 to 5 litres of water on a daily basis.
Mental Preparation
Being mentally ready is also key to your success. Mental preparation for mountaineering is just as important as physical training. During the long and strenuous treks like Mera, you may get exhausted on the trails. The dark realm of death zone might discourage you time and often.
You need a positive attitude and mental strength to keep moving forward. Physical training contributes greatly to improve your mental stamina. Having great group support from trekking partners and staff also give you positive vibes. Being confident about your venture is key to your success.
Basic Mountaineering Training Course
Climbing Mera Peak is not that much easy as you have to go through steep and technical sections, cross the glaciers, rugged cliff or ice walls. It is always best to have some basic mountaineering training and special skills of handling ice axes and other climbing gear. If you are a novice climber or an amateur one, it is very wise to learn some basic mountaineering skills. The training normally begins in June and lasts for about 40 days. The training focus on new techniques and methodologies and rescue activities.
Read More: Gears and Equipment for Mera Peak Climbing
The successful Mera Peak climbing requires a number of climbing accessories and well preparation of climbing clothes. The weather of Mera Peak region changes all of a sudden and quite frequently. Be careful while selecting clothes. You should select a comfortable size and good quality clothes. Similarly, make a list of service you need for climbing. Prepare your personal checklist. You can also collect ideas about climbing equipment’s, permit, climbing guides, porters and logistic things with your corresponding company.
Fitness Test
Mera Peak climbing is physically very demanding. At such height, nothing can survive. The level of oxygen will be thin. The weather will not be in your favour all the time. Your digestive system will go down. You will have high chances of altitude sickness. Therefore, it is sensible to test your fitness before you begin. You are recommended to test lower body strength and uphill hiking fitness and endurance. Climbers must be able to carry an average of 20 lbs. Moreover, he/she should be physically and mentally prepared to deal with strenuous situations at high altitude.
Adequate Acclimatization
You are suggested to spend some days after gaining certain heights. This will help to prevent you from altitude sickness. Acclimatization plays a vital role in the success of your high altitude climb. Normally you are suggested to spend 3 nights at Khare at 4950 m and consecutively spend an acclimatization day at the Base Camp 5300 and High Camp 5800 m. Beside that put some spare days in case of Bad weathers and side trips and Hiking. Acclimatization days are also important because your guide will teach you the basic techniques of using the equipment.
List of Similar Articles:
- How is Mera Peak versus Island Peak?
- How to Prepare for Mera Peak Climbing?
- Gears and Equipment List for Mera Peak Climbing
Back to >> Mera Peak
Other preparations:
- Choose the right climbing operator for organizing your Mera Peak Expedition successfully and safely. Make sure that they offer you a professional service.
- Be prepared for the climbing scheduled. Make sure your itinerary comfortable for you.
- Have enough climbing training at Khare.
- Choose a good communicating climbing guide who is also an expert to fix ropes, manage training, and lead the team.
- During the Mera Peak Climbing, you will have to stay outdoors for many days. Therefore, be well prepared for a camping stay.
- Do not climb in the rush.
- Go through the Mera Peak checklist.
- Make sure about all the formal documents and permits.
- Book for the appropriate season. Climbing Peaks in offseason are incredibly challenging.
- Last but not least, study about the Mera Peak and everything related to it.
Prakash Devkota
Managing Director and Team Leader
Mr. Prakash Chandra Devkota is an established name in the Tourism Sector in Nepal. He is a focused individual gifted with a brilliant mind. He is also hugely dedicated to social work. Born in the Gorkha district, a beautiful hilly region of Nepal, he first entered the tourism industry as a guide in 1997. He has gained extensive experience in almost all the trekking and climbing routes like Mera, Island, Lobuche and, Ama Dablam, etc.
He registered Nepal Guides Treks & Expedition in 2009 AD. Due to his passion for adventure and efforts to provide quality personalized service to his clients, he has established himself as a successful tourism entrepreneur. He has dedicated most of his time working diligently to elevate the tourism industry and collected more than 15 years of experience in organizing trekking and expeditions in Nepal, Bhutan, and India. He believes in the power of the tourism industry and the employment opportunities that can be created through it. He constantly looks for innovative ways to run the company.
Mr. Devkota has always been an avid practitioner of eco-friendly tourism and has always promoted environmental conservation throughout his career. He motivates his staff to embrace eco-friendly tourism through responsible tourism practices. He believes promoting eco-tourism will preserve natural resources and positively impact the environment.
