Top 10 Tips for Mera Peak Climb

Top 10 Tips for Mera Peak Climb

Are you planning to climb Mera Peak? Read our top 10 tips for Mera peak to give you an idea of what to expect and how to prepare. We are here to help you prepare for Mera peak climb.

Climbing Mera Peak, Nepal’ highest and most popular trekking peak, is one of the most rewarding challenges. Standing at a height of 6476 meters, Mera Peak offers a straightforward introduction to mountaineering that attracts hundreds of climbers every season. The climb is suitable for people with basic mountaineering experience and good fitness. However, it is important to remain humble and receptive in climbing.

Trekking through the remote and beautiful Hinku Valley, climbing style, rewarding myself with a view of five 8000m high mountains from Everest are the highlights of my peak. Although many classify Mera as the easiest Himalayan peak, Mera is the highest trekking peak in Nepal and offers many challenges besides technical climbing. Although the climb is not technically difficult, the high altitude effect and long arduous walk make it a tough adventure. Do you know how hard it is to climb Mera peak? If you are looking for something more than just trekking then Mera Peak is your first and ideal Himalayan climb.

Top 10 Tips for Climbing Mera Peak.

Gather Experience

The first and most important tip for Mera Peak is to gather experience of high altitude trips. Mera Peak is the highest trekking peak in Nepal at an altitude of 6476 meters above sea level. You need to spend several nights above 5000m which makes it difficult for people without previous experience of high altitude trips. Although technical climbing experience is not required, previous experience at high altitude (5000m) is highly beneficial for my peaks. Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro serve as excellent training grounds for me.

Prepare at Least 6 Months Before Climbing

Train yourself at least 6 months before coming to Nepal. Mera Peak involves not only a 2-3 day climb but also a week long trek. In the trek, every day you have to walk for 6 hours. Average climbs and descents on different terrains. Climbing days are more difficult due to long walking hours and high altitude. Train yourself by going for hikes, gym etc. Progression is the key here, and don’t fall into the trap of going too fast. This means starting slow and gradually increasing the effort and amount of training per week. Start your training with general conditioning and gradually do specific training for climbing.

Be Mentally Prepared

The mind in the body and this you need to understand and keep in mind. All your training and hard work will be wasted if you are not mentally prepared. Be prepared to face harsh weather, hard walks, cold and sleepless nights. Mera it’s all basics so be prepared to connect with nature. When climbing in the remote part, always hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Schedule best time to come, avoid summer and winter

Experience (√) Training (√) Time (X) This can jeopardize your entire vacation.
Choosing the best time to come is just as important as previous experience and training. Although we cannot control the weather and it is not in our hands, we can minimize failure by choosing the best time. Generally, spring (late March to early May) and autumn (mid-September to mid-November) are considered the best times to climb Mera Peak. Avoid winter (December to mid-March) and summer/monsoon (June to mid-September) with inclement weather and heavy snowfall.

Don’t make your itinerary tight and rigid

Making your itinerary tight and rigid is never an option. If you have a tight itinerary with little or no room for error, maybe you should reconsider your itinerary. Many companies offer Mera climbing in 12/13 days and this can be a serious hazard especially when climbing a 6000m peak. A short-term itinerary is meant to minimize climbing costs but can seriously affect your goal of reaching the summit. Allow for more rest and customization days in the itinerary.

At AlpineTrav Treks & Expeditions, we follow a longer approach to Mera itinerary (avoiding Jatrava La Pass on the way up). Our Mera Peak itinerary includes rest and casual days, overnight at Mera High Camp and a free day in Kathmandu after the climb. All these increased our chances of summiting and we have a higher chance of climbing the summit than those with tighter travel plans.

Find a reliable guide and company

Climbing the 6000m peak is a challenging task and requires extra effort, planning, organization and a reliable guide. Despite past experience and training, many have not been able to climb the peak due to incompetent guides and improper arrangements. Go with a reliable and reputable company that has qualified guides and experience to lead these trekking adventures. Find out the security measures taken for the trip and make sure everything is to your satisfaction before confirming your trip. On our Peak climbing trips, we provide 1:3 guide to climber ratio.

Get the right clothes and equipment

We don’t need to exaggerate about getting the right clothes and equipment. If you don’t get yourself the right gear and clothes your whole trip can end badly. You need full climbing gear for Mera Peak and it is always advisable to check and pack every gear in Kathmandu. At Khare, you can rent climbing equipment (boots, harness, crampons, etc.) from teahouses/lodges but they may or may not be the right size for you. Make sure the climbing boot fits well, make sure you have got warm clothing, gloves, socks etc.

Do a climbing course before attempting the summit

Do the climbing course in Khare before going for the summit push. Allow one day to learn the techniques and skills necessary for climbing. It is very beneficial if you have previous experience of climbing but if you are completely new to climbing, this course will help you a lot. Get comfortable with your climbing Boot, learn to rappel and use the basics of climbing gear.

Personal health and hygiene

Mera Peak is a three-week long trek in the remote and beautiful Hinku Valley. Without any health post-n-root, it is very important to maintain personal health and hygiene. Things to keep in mind are using hand sanitizer, drinking well-boiled water, avoiding meat and bakery, using good sunscreen and wearing proper layers of clothing. Bring your personal first aid kit which should include medicines (altitude sickness, Diarrhoea, headache, pain relievers, bandages, antiseptics, blister tape etc)

Slow and steady

The last on our list of top 10 tips for Mera peak is to be slow and steady. Slow and steady with all the preparation will get you to the summit and back safely. If you put too much pressure on yourself for climbing quickly, you will quickly give up.

Conclusion:

We hope these tips for Mera peak will help you in planning and preparation of the climb. Remember Mera is not the easiest peak and neither it is a trek. Prepare yourself well ahead for the climb, choose the right itinerary, bring proper and complete equipment and take it slow and steady. Remember to turn around when necessary and don’t forget to bring your favourite treat/snack.

If you have any questions or need any additional information about the climb, please feel free to get in touch with us.