Every year thousands of people around the world dream of arriving at the base of the highest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest. Everest Base Camp trek is undoubtedly one of the most popular high-altitude trekking options in the world. But with growing popularity, it’s essential to appreciate that not everyone can accomplish the trek due to lack of proper preparation. Some will end up in danger, or even worse, death due to rushing or ignoring the risks and warning signs.
Mingma Sherpa, a local guide from Lukla, has been leading people to Everest Base Camp for more than fifteen years. This spring, he took a group of excited trekkers from Taiwan who wanted to reach Base Camp quickly.
“They did not listen to my advice about taking rest days,” Mingma said. When they reached Namche Bazaar at 3,440 meters, one man had a bad headache and felt nauseous. Mingma told him to rest for a day or two, but the man wanted to keep going. Just one day later, he collapsed near Tengboche and had to be airlifted back to Kathmandu. “Going down is not failure,” Mingma said.
This kind of story happens often on the trail to Everest Base Camp. Many trekkers, especially younger ones, try to rush. Some want to get ahead of their schedule. Others want to save money or prove they are very fit. But many do not understand that the real danger on this trek is not the cold or the steep climbs. It is the thin air.
As you go higher in altitude, the amount of oxygen in the air becomes lower. The body needs time to adjust to this change, a process called acclimatization. Without proper acclimatization, trekkers can suffer from acute mountain sickness or AMS. The symptoms often begin with a headache, dizziness, and feeling tired, almost like a hangover. If ignored, AMS can turn into serious and life-threatening conditions like HAPE (High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema) or HACE (High-Altitude Cerebral Edema), which cause fluid to collect in the lungs or brain. These conditions can become fatal within hours.
The rising cases of altitude sickness and rescue operations
Doctors at Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) clinics in Pheriche, report they have treated a dramatically rising number of cases of altitude sickness in recent years. In the autumn of 2023, they had treated 308 people, including 30 severe cases. By the autumn of 2024, patients had numbered 593, with 44 in a critical condition. These figures only include those who made it to the clinic; others were evacuated or turned back early.
According to Dr. Buddha Basnyat, a senior Himalayan Rescue Association doctor, most illnesses are due to trekkers missing rest days or climbing too quickly (more than 500 meters a day over 3,000 meters). The idea that fitness protects against altitude sickness is a myth, altitude sickness does not discriminate.
Similarly, helicopter rescue companies were extremely busy in 2023 and 2024. Private firms like Global Rescue carried out over 100 evacuations in a single spring season. There were days when they did up to 25 rescues. These include not just foreign trekkers, but also Nepali guides and porters who were pushed by tight schedules or heavy loads.
Fatigue also plays a big role in accidents on the trail. When people are tired, they make poor decisions, miss their balance, or fail to notice symptoms of sickness. One medical study estimated about 2.7 injuries per 1,000 trekkers in the Everest region — many due to exhaustion or altitude problems. Slippery trails, steep steps, and unpredictable weather make it even riskier when people are weak or dizzy.
How to stay safe: Tips for proper acclimatization and smart trekking
So why do so many people ignore the signs? According to Mingma, it’s often because they’ve invested a lot of money and time to do this trek.
“People think, I’ve come all this way, I have to reach Base Camp,” he says. “But the mountain doesn’t care about your money. It only cares about your health.”
Experts suggest that the best way to avoid getting sick is to take it slow. Trekkers should not climb more than 300 to 500 meters in a single day once they pass 3,000 meters. The common rule is “climb high, sleep low” meaning you can go higher during the day, but you must come back down to sleep at a lower altitude. This helps your body adjust safely.
Also, it’s smart to hire a guide or porter. Not only do they help carry your load, but they know the warning signs and can help you make good decisions. Overexerting yourself by carrying heavy bags or trekking for too many hours without breaks can make things worse.
Altitude sickness can happen to anyone, no matter how fit or experienced. But with the right knowledge and attitude, it can be prevented. The key is to listen to your body, rest often, and not be afraid to turn back if needed. As Mingma says, “Reaching Base Camp is not a race. If you respect the mountain,
