SVN Suresh Babu Completes Everest Base Camp Trek in Four Days, Becomes India’s Fastest Solo Trekker
The risk was high and the clock was ticking. After making his way through rocky terrain, SVN Suresh Babu began the toughest part of his trek – the snowy road – with his pack-strapped shoulders and wet shoes approaching his target. Nearly 48 hours later, the Visakhapatnam-based climber set a record: He had reached Mount Everest base camp in four days, becoming India’s fastest solo trekker.
This trek usually takes 15 to 20 days to complete, with adaptation days in between. Despite two heavy snowfalls and once losing his way in the snow in harsh temperatures of -20°C, Suresh Babu made it through the challenging terrain for almost 10 hours a day.
“At Everest Base Camp, you are not breathing even half the amount of oxygen you take in at sea level. But once I got there I was absolutely excited. It was a rewarding experience to achieve the work I had done,” says Suresh. Having completed several mountaineering courses from premier institutes in India, Suresh says he is used to trekking in difficult terrain. The study of weather patterns and geographical conditions is important. “When solo snow hiking, it is important to differentiate between ice plate and glacier ice,” he says. There are layers of huge ice blocks that keep moving and massive cracks form between them. Climbers have to take care of them.
One step at a time
However, what made the trek difficult was the completion in such a short span of time without any adaptation period. “Day two down the track, when I knew I was very close to making it in record time, I kept pushing myself,” he says.
As he climbed up, Suresh survived on boiled rice, dal and protein bars. “You need at least four to five liters of water every day and a liter in winters costs around ₹1,000,” says Suresh. The base camp is located at an altitude of 17,600 feet, which is high enough to cause health complications. “Since I had skipped adaptation during the trip, my brother who is a doctor was closely monitoring my health,” says Suresh.
Suresh says regular high-intensity interval training in the gym and trekking in the Eastern Ghats of Visakhapatnam district over the years prepared his body and mind. Apart from his fitness schedule, Suresh says that he prepares every day by waking up at sunrise to workout on the treadmill at his home. This has been his routine since 2007.
Suresh started his search from Visakhapatnam to Kathmandu in Nepal via Delhi. His solo marathon trek started on 20 December from Lukla in Nepal and he reached Everest Base Camp on 24 December. “December is not the best time to trek there as the weather is extremely harsh,” he says.
His trek has been recognized and certified by a travel company in Nepal, as well as registered with the Government of Nepal, as the first Indian to touch an altitude of 5,356 meters above sea level in such a short time. is registered.
Their walking schedule and trekking was managed by Real Adventure of Nepal. After the trek, Suresh climbed the top of the island to the sea level at an altitude of 6,160 m, to tackle the even higher elevation of Kala Patthar (5,550 m above sea level).
While reaching base camp in record time, Suresh said that he would not do it again or advise anyone to leave the adaptation.
“It’s important that you get used to being there. Listen to your body and pay attention to what’s going on around you,” he says. “You need to be alert to the little cues your body gives you.” Used to be.”
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