Gokyo Lake Trek For Beginners — Yay Or Nay, For Winters?!

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Gokyo Lake Trek for beginners — Yay or Nay, for winters?!
Let us start by answering this straight….
Gokyo Lake Trek in winters is definitely not a good choice for beginners!!
And there are several reasons to hold up this answer.
Previous Experience

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While the Gokyo Ri Trek should not be a problem for an experienced trekker, a beginner who has no prior experience in trekking should prepare for the trek well in advance. It is advisable to practice strength training and cardio at least a few months before one actually takes up the trek.
Even though the trail is remote and the altitude is scary, the beginners can have a good experience with little physical and mental training. But it is definitely not a good idea to trek during winters.
Good season to trek
Every trek is affected by the weather in the region but it especially holds true for the Gokyo Lake Trek! While autumn is the best season to take up the Gokyo Lakes trek, winters and summers are regarded as off-season for trekking in the region. The winter season that lasts from December to January is extremely cold and the weather is harsh even for the most experienced trekkers to trek.
As a beginner, one must go to this trek only during the peak seasons of autumn and spring. For anyone looking to take up the challenge of trekking it during winter months, they must remember to plan well in advance and also carry adequate gear required.
Extreme temperature
Another challenging factor of the Gokyo Ri Trek is the extreme temperature it poses. The trekkers go from 2860 meters to 5357 meters within a span of few days. The temperatures go down as the altitude goes up. The winds are chilly, the nights are freezing and it gets even difficult as the trekkers approach the frozen glaciers. The conditions get even worse during winters.
It is not advisable to trek during the cold months of December, January and February, when the temperatures are extreme. The trek is also not advised for Asthma patients, people allergic to cough or who have other breathing issues.
High Altitude
If we decide on the basis of the altitude, the Gokyo Lakes Trek is definitely a difficult trek for beginners and that too in the cold winter months! The Trek begins from Lukla at an altitude of 2860 meters. From here, the trekkers trek through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Dole, Macchermo, Gokyo Valley and then finally to the Gokyo Ri at 5357 meters. Through all these stops, the altitude rises gradually. The rise in altitude reduces the temperatures and makes the trail tougher.
Altitude Sickness
Wherever there is a high altitude, there is the risk of AMS or Altitude Sickness. The Gokyo Lake Trek is a high altitude trek and thus trekkers must take care to prevent conditions of Altitude Sickness. It is important to mention here that if altitude sickness is not checked initially, it can also lead to death!
The trekkers should take due precautions, drink plenty of water, go slow and be physically fit. At any signs of AMS, they should descend and spend sufficient time for acclimatization.
These are some of the factors that are known to directly affect the conditions during the trek. But there are several other factors that are completely unpredictable such as uncertain weather, health conditions, and injuries. These can equally affect the conditions at the trek, especially high altitude treks as the Gokyo Ri Trek.
The only thing the trekkers can do is to prepare for the trek well in advance, both mentally and physically.

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