Chessell Adventures' trip web pages, and pdf info packs have lots of info about each specific adventure (
search for your adventure here). You may also like to look at our
photo galleries or
videos for a taste of adventure, or download a
wallpaper to inspire you at your computer. This page has answers to some more general Frequently Asked Questions about climbing.
As all of our mountain climbing adventures begin with a trek, wyou might also like to look at the
Trekking FAQs.If you have other questions, please ask our friendly team, by
email, phone, skype, or drop in to our office in Rundle Street in Adelaide, South Australia for a chat.
Can I really climb a mountain? Do I need to have climbing experience? How can I climb Mount Everest? Can I climb the seven summits?
What sets Chessell Adventures climbing expeditions apart?
Our philosophy is to support our participants to succeed. That means careful attention to expedition design, logistics, leadership, staff, gear and supplies, contingency planning, careful acclimatisation- and summit-strategies and implementation, flexibility, and treating each member as an individual. As an example, we are very proud of our 2007 Everest Expedition when despite a number of challenges, including two cases of quite serious illness, all participants reported that they could not have reached higher on the hill on that occasion. The vast majority summited this daunting hill and the few that were not able to are planning to return in 2010 with their own new strategies in place. We won;t always be so fortunate, but our experienced and capable team will really try hard for YOU!
Why go on a guided expedition?
There are many reasons that might make a guided expedition attractive even for experienced climbers. These include someone else taking care of all those details (including thing as diverse as booking and confirming hotels, checking the number of evening snacks, ensuring reliable support, transport, permits, visas, team members, gear, etc etc etc etc). This saves you time and energy for the part that really matters - working on achieving your goal. Our high levels of support and experience aim to give you the best possible opportunity to succeed, a high level of risk management, and our leaders and staff are there for YOU!
Who is the expedition leader?
Chessell Adventures are led by experienced, capable, first-aid qualified and personable leaders. On Himalayan climbing adventures your leader will have specialist experience in climbing expeditions and altitude and may be a mountain
guide trained under the UIAGM system. Our leaders are supported by friendly, competent and local staff: trained and qualified Climbing Sherpas and Cooks and support staff. We have helped our senior staff to build their skills and competencies through formal and informal training and immersion in our high-quality well-led adventures and encourage them to keep learning and growing.
What type of people come along?
Our climbing expedition usually attract people in their twenties to fifties. Participants tend to be seeking a good quality, safe, well supported, good value and enjoyable adventure rather than the lowest cost. We have a good proportion of return clients, referrals from return clients and people who have found us by word of mouth, and it is not uncommon for people to invite their spouse, friends or adult children to join as a trekker on all or part of the climbing trips. The nationalities of our clients are varied, but we do have a high proportion of Australians as well as people form the UK, New Zealand, USA and more. Most participants make the effort to prepare very well for their adventure which helps make life enjoyable for everyone.
How fit do I need to be? Will I have to carry a lot of weight? Should I be able to do 100 chin ups?
The fitter you are, the more fun you (and your companions) will have. You will find guidance on preparing for your expedition on each adventure's web page (
search here), our info packs and trip dossiers. A minimum level of fitness would have you being able to walk all day on uneven, hilly ground, carrying your day pack, and be able to get up again the next day. Many climbs will require a higher level of fitness and strength so you can carry heavy gear to high camps and really exert yourself on summit day.
What gear do you provide?
We provide individual sleeping tents for the trekking phase of most climbing expeditions, with dining and kitchen tents. On the mountain participants share serious, proven mountain tents. Our climbing teams are equipped with emergency communications and first aid equipment as well as more prosaic things like climbing and cooking gear. There is a detailed gear list for each Chessell Adventure which outlines what we provide as well as what you should bring. (
Search here for specific adventures and download the info pack.)
What's the food like?
Food arrangements are specific to each adventure, but we provide three meals a day while on the track. In cities we provide breakfast and, depending on the trip and the nature of the activities may also cater for lunch and dinner for the group. In the Himalayas our kitchen staff have been training for years and work magic over gas or kero stoves in their kitchen tent.
While trekking our cooks prepare a varied menu of wholesome, tasty and plentiful food using fresh ingredients where possible.
- A trekking breakfast in the Himalayas usually includes cooked foods (e.g. egg, tomatoes), cereal or porridge, toast & spreads and fruit and a selection of hot drinks.
- Lunch is often soup and a packed lunch, or a cooked lunch
- Dinners are generally soup, a main meal ( one of many Asian or European style dishes) veges, and a dessert (fruit to custard to baked apple pie!)
- Drinking water: will be provided at camps (collected with care, filtered, treated with chemicals and/or boiled), and at lunch time where possible. It is wise to carry a small amount of purifying chemicals (e.g. Iodine or chlorine) with you, in case you happen to need water at an odd time. In the developing world care should be taken to avoid untreated water and potentially contaminated foods like uncooked salads and some fruit. Bottled water is available in cities, but of course you can treat tap water in your own bottle too.
On the hill we eat easy to prepare food, often prepared by the team with assistance from guides and staff: freeze-dried foods, crackers, soups, snacks etc. On big mountains it is often a challenge to eat, so we provide foods to tempt your appetite and give you sustenance.
Who will be responsible for my safety?
The short answer - you! All participants are expected to behave in a responsible manner, taking due care of them selves and others. Your expedition leader is responsible for the group including participants and staff. He or she will advise, manage and assist everyone, sometimes with the support of an expedition first aider or doctor, and will be assisted by guides, sherpas, Chessell Adventures staff, and you and your climbing colleagues, all of whom will have roles to play.
What if I get sick or have an accident?
Despite the best precautions, people do sometimes fall ill, sprain something or develop symptoms of AMS. Our expedition leaders will manage your care keeping in mind what's best for you and the rest of the group. Our precautions include first aid qualifications and kits, emergency communications, evacuation plans, your travel insurance cover and our pre-preparation and medical advisors.
What about altitude sickness?
AMS Acute Mountain Sickness (or altitude sickness) is the body reacting to the stress of high altitude. It is a concern for trekkers in the Himalayas and elsewhere above about, approximately, say (is that enough vagueness!) 3,000m. Exposure to high altitude can lead to a number of 'normal' physiological reactions as well as mild to extremely serious illness and even death. Chessell Adventures takes the risk of AMS seriously and work hard to avoid and minimise it. We ask our adventurers to do the same and we educate, coach and monitor our trekkers and climbers in how to take care of themselves and each other and what to look out for. Our treks are designed with relatively slow acclimatisation schedules, rest days and alternative options. And we have medications and a number of management strategies in place should they be required. Don't be unduly concerned, but please talk to us if you have questions.
I don't have much time, can't we do it quicker?
Our adventures are designed around what we feel is the optimum itinerary, which incorporates adequate time for the suitably fit participant to do the climb comfortably; flexibility for weather, illness, unforeseen delays; time to enjoy the experience, your climbing colleagues and staff; learn about your surroundings if you wish; and, for altitude adventures, a fairly slow acclimatisation regime to minimise the risk of altitude sickness and maximise your chance of reaching your goals. All while also trying to minimise your time away from home. We would generally not recommend shorter itineraries (such as those used by less scrupulous operators) unless you were genuinely prepared to turn back if you (or your travel companion) becomes affected by AMS. If you really don't have the time available, we can perhaps suggest an alternative itinerary or goal that will work for you.
I've heard there is good rafting and safaris. Can I do that?
We can certainly arrange for you to visit one of Nepal's several national parks where you may be lucky enough to spot a tiger or leopard, bear or rhino from atop an elephant, on foot or in a jeep. You may also like to take a white water raft down one of the fabulous Himalayan rivers for a few hours or a few days. Or a mountain biking trip, a leisurely stay by lovely Lake Phewa in Pokhara (where, incidentally, you could fly with the eagles in a tandem paraglider), or have a guided tour of one of the Kathmandu Valley's ancient cities. There are adventures enough in Nepal to keep you busy for months! And of course our African base near Arusha is inthe heart of East African safari country. Easy - just ask!
My friend would like to visit, but isn't really interested in climbing...
Your friend, spouse, family, colleagues may like to join you on the trekking phases of the expedition, and could stay in Base Camp or Advanced Base Camp, depending on the trip, when you are on the hill. If they want to accompany you to our base city (e.g. Kathmandu) we can easily arrange extra accommodation, and places on our day tours, but we may also be able to arrange a series of day trips, a short relaxing trip into the country-side, scenic flights above the Himalayas, wildlife safaris and so on. Ask us for ideas, or suggest your own.
Step 6: ?? Everest or your own trips
Trekking -The First Few Steps & Trekking peaks - a step up
We offer a range of trips that will let you learn while you climb or trek. Building up from the basics, from non-technical ascents to, perhaps, a major expedition. We offer the whole progression. These trips are aimed at getting you started. You needn't be experienced, a good level of fitness and a willingness to give it a go will serve you well. To begin with trekking (or tramping-hiking-fellwalking-bushwalking depending on were you come from) is a great way to start. We have
many trips that are an easy introduction to the outdoors.
Everest Base Camp (BC) trek is a popular and spectacular start as you can stay in the comfort of lodges for most or all of your trip, yet be out walking in the mountains all day. There are many alternatives closer to home as well.
Maybe you'd like to try a Himalayan trek to Everest Base Camp with the bonus of an optional climb up a peak like Lobuje East, Mera Peak or Lhakpa Ri or Everest's North Col. These are non-technical climbs, high walks really...
Rock climbing in Australia
You might benefit from a couple of introductory to advanced rock climbing weekends to build up your ropes skills for any trip before heading into the mountains. Obtaining a good level of fitness is the best preparation of all.
- Rock climbing in Australia, single and multi-pitch climbing with opportunities to learn rope skills, from basics to advanced lead climbing and rescue skills
Climbing: Introductory/Intermediate
Going to the next level. Our climbing school offers technical skills courses to suit your needs, as well as guided ascents of peaks. We use venues in New Zealand, Tibet and Nepal for these trips. We target the best season in each venue.
New Zealand's Southern Alps offer excellent mountaineering, ski-touring and ice climbing venues. Low altitude glaciation and aircraft access allow for shorter duration trips.
- The basics of summer mountaineering: using crampons and ropes, navigating, glacial travel, crevasse rescue and generally being safe while climbing snow, rock and ice
- Ski-touring from high mountain huts in Aoraki/Mt Cook and Westland National Parks
- Winter mountaineering: snow anchors, ice climbing (waterfall ice) & avalanche awareness skills
- For those with some existing rock climbing or mountaineering skills we can lead assaults of the big and small of the New Zealand peaks: Aoraki/Mt Cook, Aspiring, Tasman, Hicks and Dilemma are just a few!
Climbing: Intermediate/Challenging
For those who have some basic rock or mountaineering experience we offer a range of experiences that build on your existing skills and capabilities.
Himalayan Five Peaks Climbing Course. This trip caters to those wanting a longer, more challenging trip that allows more skills development, with ascents of Himalayan 6000m peaks. It is a good alternative to our New Zealand courses. The idea is that you learn the skills, practice them and then actually climb a peak yourself. We won't drag you up, you will climb it!
- Trek around the Everest (Khumbu) Valley: we take in Everest Base Camp; cross high passes; the Gokyo Valley and climb Pokhalde 5806m, Island Peak 6189m and Lobuje East 6119m (Nepal)
Ama Dablam 6856m, is one of the most spectacular peaks in the Himalayas. It towers above and totally dominates the lower Everest (Khumbu) Valley in Nepal. It is an accessible peak, with base camp only a day's walk from the popular Everest Base Camp track. It requires extensive use of ropes, snow, ice and rock climbing techniques. We use 3 'airy' camps on the mountain for a guided ascent.
- Ama Dablam Expedition: we trek up the Everest valley to gain acclimatisation, often visiting either Gokyo or Everest Base Camp before heading up the peak
8000m Expeditions
The big ones! Cho Oyu and Shishapangma both break the 8000m barrier and yet are still relatively achievable mountains. For these mountains you will need to have performed well at altitude in the past and be very fit, but you need not be a technical climber. We are there to help, with an excellent climbing and support team, well resourced infrastructure and a solid knowledge and experience of altitude medicine (gained largely by helping other expeditions!). Our experienced guides have summited previously, so they are there for you alone. We offer infrastructure and fully guided options:
Antarctic or Exploratory Adventures
For those with some climbing experience you might like to join Duncan Chessell on an exploratory expedition. These are guided trips but require more self-sufficiency and skills than our normal scheduled climbs. Examples include:
A traverse of the Ellsworth Mountain range from the Rutford Ice Stream over the summit of Antarctica's highest peak to the
base camp and fly out.
Mount Vinson by a rarely travelled route. There will be no other parties on the majority of the route.
- Climb to the summit of Mt Himlung 7126m. Trek part of the Annapurna circuit and the remote valleys between Annapurnas, Manaslu and the Tibet Border. Visit a peak without the crowds and be part of an exploratory expedition leading the way for others to follow!