14 days – Everest North Flash™

check_circle_outline  Included:

• IFMGA/AMGA lead guide
• 2 nights in an upscale hotel in Kathmandu in a single room
• All transfers including transport from Kathmandu – Everest BC – Kathmandu
• Customs clearance at the Chinese (Tibetan) border
• Full board for the duration of the trip (except in Kathmandu, breakfast and dinner only)
• All drinks included in Basecamp
• Twin rooms on the trek
• Baggage transport to base camp and back (max 40kg baggage per person)
• 1 two roomed tent with bed at base camp per person
• 1 tent with sleeping mat per person at advanced base camp
• 1 tent per two persons at high camps
• High camp equipment (tents, stove, gas, dishes, food)
• Use of fixed ropes along the route
• Waste transport away from base camp
• 2 climbing sherpas per member
• *Unlimited oxygen and a 8LPM regulator
• Replacement oxygen system up to the summit
• Hypoxic tent and generator for up to 8 weeks prior to expedition
• Xenon treatment prior to the expedition
• Insurance and equipment for Nepalese staff
• Emergency medical oxygen
• First aid kit, high altitude emergency medicine, pulsoxymeter
• Kitchen crew
• Cozy, heated group tent at base camp and advanced base camp
• Equipment for a comfortable stay at base camp (shower tent, toilet tent, dining tent, etc.)
• Satellite communication and WIFI for a fee and depending on availability
• Solar charging
• Two-way radio for each climber
• All summit fees & permits
• Weather updates
• Safety and liability of an EU based tour operator

*“Unlimited oxygen” has an exception of a practical nature that limits the use of oxygen to an extend that makes sense from a medical and safety perspective. Flash™ clients get our exclusive regulators with a maximum flow of 8lpm. they never have to think about where they are allowed to start using O2, how many cylinders they have already used, or how many they have left for summit day. Or if they have enough for a second attempt, or for waiting time on the summit ridge. But it is for example not possible to start with an 8lpm flow already in C1, because they would not get enough flow for higher up on the mountain. The other limitation is they can basically use as many cylinders as they need, not as many as they like (again, it would not make sense to sleep on a 6lpm flow in C2, even though that would feel good).

highlight_off  Not included:

• International Flight to/from Kathmandu (Arrival at Kathmandu airport KTM on Day early in the morning)
• Excess baggage fees on included flights
• Personal insurance
• Visa for Nepal
• Shipping costs for hypoxic tent and generator outside of the EU and US
• Personal medications
• Tips
• Personal mountain and climbing equipment
• Fees for satellite phones, Wifi
• 2 x Summit bonus for personal climbing Sherpas
• All services not specifically mentioned in “What the price includes”

Which Everest route should I choose?

The two “normal ascents” on Mount Everest each offer certain advantages, but also pose their own risks and challenges.

Ultimately it should be a well-informed decision on the part of aspirants whether to climb from Tibet in the north via the North Col and Northeast ridge, or from Nepal in the south over the Khumbu Icefall, Lhotse face and the Southeast ridge.

In many cases, a decision in favour of one or the other side will be a result of several factors including the experience of the member, his personality, and his exact plan for ascent, Perhaps one side is more appealing to you, it exerts more attraction or catches your eye with a beautiful line. Listen to your intuition, which usually provides the best advice in such cases, or seek personal advice from us!

Check out our overview page to see all details and information between the north and the south side.

North

+ objectively the safer ascent route
+ the last camp is higher (8300m) resulting in a shorter summit stage
+ more comfortable and luxurious basecamp due to road access

– longer exposure to wind and cold during ascent
– technically more challenging during the last third, more cliffs
– descending from the summit is more difficult

South

+ technically the easier and longer ascent, sheltered from the wind
+ lower altitude base camp, resulting in better regeneration

– ice fall and avalanche hazard at the Khumbu icefall and the Lhotse slope
– last camp is at 8000m, resulting in a longer, more strenuous summit day
– Overall ascent from the base camp is somewhat longer and requires more stamina

About the Furtenbach Adventures Everest Expeditionen

We run a unique style of Everest expedition with maximum oxygen and Sherpa support to achieve the highest level of safety and highest chances of success. The exclusive nature of Furtenbach Adventures makes our expeditions stand out from the rest – maybe even a bit better.

• We benefit from 20 years of experience in organizing expeditions to eight-thousand-meter peaks in the Himalaya and Karakoram mountain ranges.
• We employ experienced, state-certified (IFMGA/AMGA) mountain guides, together with a team of proven Everest Sherpas.
• Our climbing Sherpas have summitted Everest multiple times over and are highly skilled at knowing exactly how they can best support our climbers during their summit attempt.
• In contrast to many other tour operators, we provide the most advanced, most reliable and easiest oxygen system available on the market, from Summit Oxygen.

• We provide unlimited oxygen* to each of our climbers with regulators that are specially designed for us. This means our clients can breathe at a higher flow rate while climbing and can sleep using oxygen from Camp 1 (North Col), thereby conserving energy.
• Our climbers are better acclimatized by the time they arrive because they have already started their acclimatization process at home, 6-8 weeks prior to the start of the expedition. All high-altitude generator equipment is delivered to your home and collected when training is completed and includes a training plan and expert supervision. We take care of everything.
• We provide one of the most comfortable base camp facilities ever to be seen on Everest.
• The food that our kitchen teams produce is outstanding, turned out from a base camp kitchen on a glacial moraine at the ends of the Earth

 Classic Everest Expedition on the Northside or the Southside

Mount Everest Flash™, Hakan B.

Furtenbach Adventures offers a unique mountaineering experience by perfectly combining safety, comfort, and technology. I was thrilled to join the Flash™ Expedition team led by Lukas Furtenbach in May 2019. His leadership, top professional guides and a team of incredible Sherpas have helped us reach the summit on time and return safely to the basecamp during a season of very challenging conditions. The organization utilized technology in the best way possible. More importantly, safety was the top priority in every single moment of the expedition. Oxygen tanks are the most crucial units on Mount Everest and thanks to the dedication of the Sherpas, there were plenty of tanks for everyone along the way – up to the summit. I slept in an altitude tent for 2 months ahead of the expedition to get acclimatized for the mountain. The tent simulates higher altitudes by reducing the amount of oxygen which causes an almost impossible environment to sleep in. However, acclimatizing for two months allowed our team to reach the summit in a much shorter time. Thank you, Lukas and the team for your incredible efforts. Highly recommended for this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Mount Everest Flash™, Gabriel P.

It has been a 5-week wonderful adventure on this superb and historical Everest north-east ridge. Views are amazing and climbing is of high interest on that route. A precise and secure organization is a key success factor in such an environnement and Lukas and the whole Furtenbach team are doing amazingly well at that exercise. Great memories!

Mount Everest Flash™, Marc-Antoine L.

Perfect organization. Safest way to climb up to the summit and come back down, safe. 2 experienced sherpas/climber + lot’s of oxygen for the summit day are key. Every possible detail is being thought off to make the days at the base camp more comfortable : large individual tent, efficient hot shower, correct food, large common tents etc… Preparation in the head tent during 8 weeks at home is long with many uncomfortable nights of bad sleep, but this pre acclimatization perfectly works up to 7000m ! Don’t hesitate to go back to shigatze (3-4 days) after the acclimatization in ABC to get back in shape.

info  General Infos

Tour operator for this trip: Furtenbach Adventures.

Despite modern equipment and tactics, high-altitude expeditions still present an enormous challenge. Aside from technical and fitness requirements, it is the altitude itself that presents the largest obstacle. For our Everest Flash™ Expedition, we use pre-acclimatization in a hypoxic tent at home. It is essential that Everest Flash™ climbers adhere strictly to the training and acclimatization programme (see our FAQs).
Weather and conditions on the mountain can lead to itinerary and/or route changes. Climbers take part in the expedition at their own risk and individual responsibility. Furtenbach Adventures assumes no liability for accidents, damages or loss of materials.

If you are not sure that taking part in an expedition like this is the right thing for you, feel free to contact us on Tel +43 512 204134 or e-mail [email protected] for a personal consultation.

This package in general is not suitable for persons with reduced mobility.

https  Insurance

We strongly recommend taking out a travel insurance (including trip cancellation, interruption, medical and luggage insurance). For this journey, the Global Rescue Signature Travel Insurance is suitable. The price of the insurance depends on the trip and the personal data of the traveller. We happily make you an offer after booking or upon request.

To cover search and rescue costs in the mountains, we ask our expedition members to take out a “medical only”-membership at Global Rescue. This membership can be concluded here before departure: https://ss.globalrescue.com/partner/furtenbach/. Further information are provided after your booking.

language  Entry Requirements

EU or Swiss citizens:

Nepal:
When entering the country, you need a passport with a validity of at least 6 more months.
You can get a visa on arrival directly at the airport or in advance directly at your embassy.
We recommend to get a “multiple entry” visa for 90 days.
Get further information directly on the official website: https://www.immigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa

China:
Once you arrived in Kathmandu, we’ll apply for a group visa for Tibet. Necessary documents will be collected by Furtenbach Adventures in advance. The application process might take some days. Costs for the Chinese visa are included in the trip price.

Information about recommended vaccines and health regulations: http://www.who.int/ith/en/

Travelers must be able to prove their return or onward ticket when entering the country.

More detailed information regarding entry, visa and health requirements for this travel destination will be provided once you’ve communicated your nationality.

work  Equipment

Unless specified in the detailed trip notes, all high camp equipment is provided by us. You need to bring your own personal equipment such as down clothing, expedition boots, an insulated sleep mat and a sleeping bag with a comfort range of -20 to -25 degrees Celsius for the high camps. Once you have booked we will send you a detailed equipment list. We are happy to advise you on the selection and purchase of any equipment required. With years of expedition experience, we know what works and what does not.

insert_chart_outlined  Difficulty / Technique

The ascent is the individual responsibility of the climber under the guidance of a mountain guide or expedition leader. Climbers must be able to move safely and independently over mixed ground (rock, snow, ice) and – if required – build rope teams independently under the supervision of the mountain guide / expedition leader. Cooperation, camaraderie and support on the mountain increase the chances of success for everyone. The guide is there to provide guidance for the whole group and can only respond to individual needs to a limited extent. It is imperative that climbers adhere to the instructions and decisions made by the mountain guide. Irrespective of this, each member must know his or her own physical limits and, if required, make the decision to turn around in good time.

For expeditions offered by us, unless otherwise specified in the trip details, we require the following from climbers: the ability to clip in and out of fixed ropes independently on rock, snow, ice and corn snow slopes, as well as the ability to use crampons and ice axes to move over mixed ground independently. On climbing sections, and in dangerous or exposed situations, fixed ropes are attached by mountain guides and by the Sherpa team.

perm_identity  Physical Fitness

A key factor to an expedition’s success is good physical fitness. Train hard in the months leading up to the expedition! Several hour climbs with a pack on your back and negotiating 1000 vertical meters of ascent in a day should not pose a problem for you. You have to carry your own personal equipment on the mountain, unless you have booked a personal Sherpa. The porters are there for the whole group, to set up the high camps and secure the route with fixed line. We will gladly provide individually tailored advice on how to best prepare yourself mentally and physically for an expedition.

local_hospital  Health

We recommend that every climber undergoes a medical examination prior to departure. Good health is a prerequisite for any expedition. A visit to the dentist is particularly advisable, because previously undetected dental problems can become acute due to the sudden change in pressure at higher altitudes.

check_box  Experience

We know how alluring and attractive an eight-thousand-meter peak can be. However, we’d like to make sure that you are able to climb the mountain safely, come back down safely and are able to enjoy the expedition while you’re on it and not just afterwards. Therefore, in order to embark on one of our eight-thousand-meter peak expeditions, you must already have some high altitude and mountaineering experience. When booking, please indicate what altitude you have already attained and which high peaks you have climbed. If you are a beginner, we offer a bespoke programme aimed at getting you ready for your chosen objective.

In order to participate in our seven-and six-thousander expeditions, you should have at least some experience on some of the four-thousander peaks of the Alps or other mountain ranges. Our offer for newcomers applies here as well: we can train you to become prudent and safe high-altitude climbers! For Everest take a look at our “Getting Ready for Everest“-program!

We offer a special introductory weekend for all those who want to learn about – or refresh their knowledge of – the skills and techniques required on an expedition. More info here.

payment Payment

Unless otherwise agreed, a deposit of 20% of the tour price is to be paid when receiving your invoice, but earliest eleven months before the end of the tour date. The balance must be paid 20 days prior to departure. Please find more information regarding payments in our GTCs.

directions_run Right of withdrawal

Clients have the right to withdraw from the travel contract at any time, paying any cancellation fees specified in the General Terms of Conditions of Furtenbach Adventures GmbH.

For expeditions to 7000 and 8000-meter peaks, the following fees apply for cancellation on the part of the client prior to travel: up to 3 months prior to departure 50%, within 3 months of departure 100%.

The tour operator will be released from the contract if the specified minimum number of members is not reached and if the customer has been notified about the cancellation in writing within the following periods: up to 20 days prior to departure.