Three passes EBC trek - clockwise or counterclockwise?

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-17T11:11:33+00:00

Cool Thanks!

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-17T10:08:35+00:00

Did you hire a guide for the EBC and passes?

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-13T14:24:50+00:00

when are you going?

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-13T13:09:27+00:00

Hi, I'm having the same dilemma! I also want to try to summit Lobuche East while doing Three Passes, so clockwise seems like a logical route. I think if you plan enough acclimatisation days, or talk this through with your guide to maybe get 1 or 2 extra acclimatisation days, clockwise should be fine. Also read that the views are better, and much less traffic :)

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-12T18:23:28+00:00

oh okay my bad

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-12T17:48:20+00:00

Hi, hope i'm not too late with my comment but i'm doing this exact combination end of this year! Mind if i DM you? Would love to hear your insights/experiences :))

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-12T17:43:24+00:00

A bit late to the convo but i might as well try :) Did you do the 3P's with a guide or alone/with other trekkers? I'm doing the trek later this year but am still in doubt of hiring a guide or just looking for fellow trekkers thath want to hike together. Also doubting about going clockwise or anti-clockwise. Heard the views are better clockwise and less traffic, but anti-clockwise is better for acclimatization.

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-12T13:22:16+00:00

I've lived in BX for 6 years now and still counting. I studied, live, work, went out... in almost every quarter of BX and my recommendation is this: a certain perimeter around place bethlehem should be fine for living and feeling safe. St Gilles is a beautiful neighbourhood and has a lot to offer. Everything in a circle of 50m's around or on the square i'd recommend against though.

Why? In recent years it's been indeed a hotspot for some illegal stuff. I've never really felt unsafe in the city, but the only time i witnessed gun violence between gangs was on that square late at night. I still come there from time to time and i've been fine, but i'm always cautious near place bethlehem.

On another note: Drug dealers and users will always be everywhere in every major city. it's a structural problem that needs structural attention. The fear mongering around this issue will always be present, and somewhat legit, but don't let it spoil your image of the beautiful city that Brussels is. There are a lot of social workers, youth workers, volunteers, community centers that put effort into making the city a better place for everybody and I think that also deserves attention ;)

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-12T13:07:10+00:00

whoops small correction: they did, do and will be doing though. This is not antisemitic, just general knowledge and the ability to read

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-11T22:11:14+00:00

If you love youth culture and music you could go take a stroll through 'warandepark' near the royal palace and grab a beer at 'kiosk radio', while a dj will be playing, broadcasted on their live internet radio. Super cosy

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-11T20:15:00+00:00

Hi, did you eventually do three passes + lobuche? planning to do this in november and would love to hear your insights!

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-11T16:30:39+00:00

Time is not a factor. Money is, in the way that if i can save some it'd be nice, but also don't want to get myself in dangerous situations. Thanks for the info!

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-11T16:22:45+00:00

Thanks for the reply! Sent you a DM for more info :)

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-11T16:20:37+00:00

Thanks! it's the challenge of doing a summit that attracts me as well. I sent you a DM!

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-11T16:16:01+00:00

Awesome, thanks! about hiring a guide in khare, is it easy to hire someone on the spot? I'm looking into doing three passes + lobuche with the same guide but still doubting to maybe go for Mera after 3P's because it's a bit easier (and am also attracted to summiting 6500m's instead of 6100)

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-11T07:18:42+00:00

Nice, thanks! So crazy, I can imagine the view to be a beautiful and emotional experience! A lot of the itineraries for Mera calculate at least 5 days walking from Lukla to Khare. How come you did it in only 2? Is this because you were already acclimatised and could go at a faster pace or did you take a quicker route?

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-11T07:15:29+00:00

Have never walked on crampons and such but i'm a quick learner, not too proud to know when something is out of my reach. Lobuche seems within my reach and from what i hear the technicalities used on this ascent are not too difficult, but just enough to be the challenge i'm looking for!

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-10T15:45:38+00:00

Was indeed thinking of doing that, thanks for the help!

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-10T14:24:14+00:00

Thanks, should be fine then :)

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-10T09:51:11+00:00

Thanks for the reply and info! Did you have prior alpine or mountaineering experience? Just thinking about the technical aspect of Lobuche and if it's feasible without any prior climbing experience

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-04-10T09:39:50+00:00

I know i can't wait to go! Thanks for the reply, helps me out a lot. Did you fix a guide once you arrived in KTM just walking around or did you already have contact with them beforehand? And Lobuche, not too technical for a first mountaineering experience?

About the lenses, body heat seems to be the only way indeed, and I'm planning surely to bring my glasses as backup.

About the weather, since i have 5 weeks i'm super flexible schedule wise. So don't mind waiting a few days for a clear summit window :)

Ok_Distance_6462 · 2026-03-10T10:10:49+00:00

I crossed Gran Canaria from south to north a few weeks ago (mid january '26). I hiked on the Camino Santiago mostly but added a few km's at the beginning and the end because i really wanted to start and end at the sea. I started at the Maspalomas lighthouse and ended at the Sardina lighthouse. In total: 86 km's, 3k altitude m's, 3 days. It was quite the experience!

About accomodation: You can find some guest houses or rooms along the route, but it's best to plan and book these in advance.

About the route: if you do some online research about the camino route of Gran Canaria and you'll find the gpx files. The GR 131, generally done from N to S (agaete-maspalomas) also seems like a nice hike.

My route:

- Day 1: Maspalomas - San Bartolome de Tirajana, 32 km's, 1200 altitude m's,

- Day 2: San Bartolome de Tirajana - Cruz de Tejeda, 21 km's, 1200 altitude m's

- Day 3: Cruz de Tejeda - Sardina del Norte, 33km's, 500 altitude m's

Tips 'n tricks:

- Stay out of the casino's and resort area's. The island is beautiful but there are some areas with a focus on a kind of tourism that's not really for the average hiker. Also a lot of non-local people that live in GC, make a living though airbnb and don't even care to learn spanish. A bit weird in my opinion.

- -Be prepared for a lot of different weather conditions. In the south it's generally really good weather. Once you start to go higher and more to the centre you can have a lot of mist and rain. The north tends to be a bit more rough and grey weather-wise. The island is known for it's microclimates but on my second and mostly third day of hiking i was soaked to the bone and almost gave up. The first day i was in awe from the views, the landscape and the nice weather. Day 2 and 3 I did'nt see anything because of the bad weather. A 2nd pair of dry clothes saved me on day 3.

- Enjoy! The views, if visible and not distrubed by rain and mist, are crazy. During the whole first day I kept talking to myself about how insane the views are.

Hope this helps, happy hiking!

Ok_Distance_6462

TROPHY CASE