ok guys,
am planning a trip to the mt everest base camp and need some advice on how to transfer and store my footage. since i will not be able to take my laptop with me, is there any other way of transferring all the footage to a hard disk? I will most probably taking my ipad. has anyone transfered footage to the ipad? even though mine is 64 gb it wont be able to hold much footage. it is a 15 day trek and might take a total of around 18 days from start to end.
Is my only solution to buy a bunch of cards and keep changing them as and when they fill up?? or is there a cheaper , better solution. any shooting tips/settings for better space management of footage?

any advice appreciated...

thanks
tally

hmm, interesting advice regarding the 7d... am gonna be off in april so it is an option... 350$ is a bit steep... but will try and source it out... thanks...

ps... isnt there a way to tranfer the footage onto an ipod.

First off devices with hard drives cannot be depended on at altitudes of 10,000 feet or greater (the base camp is at about 17,000 or so on both the Chinese/Tibet side and Nepalese side.  The air is enough thinner that the spinning platters do not generate enough "airlift" to keep the head off the delicate platter surface.  So I would forget those.

I'd go with plenty of cards, good media cases, and keep track of it all.

Here is a link to a couple that made the trip, they allowed me to present the images from this link to our local photo club, I got email permission and all they asked was that I credit them and their website.  The offer some very good tips concerning spare batteries (fees for charging device batteries are pretty high at stops along the way).

http://theplanetd.com/everest-base-camp-adventure-the-arrival/

I would start stocking up on SanDisk (don't chance anything lesser) Extreme Class (10) or even Extreme Pro UHS-1 (waterproof, temperature proof, shockproof, steel case etc.) 16GB or 32GB cards.  I would order Pelican media cases (waterproof) and clip that to your backpack or camera bag with a strong lanyard.  Mine hold 8 SDHC cards or the one for CF media holds 4.  (Design has changed, current version holds 12 SD/SDHC cards)  $19.29 at B&H.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/828755-REG/Pelican_0910_015_110_0915_Memory_Card_Case.html

Dave 'n Deb took a Panasonic GH1 (he now shoots with a 5D MkII) and had no problems,  The weather sealing on the 7D and L series lenses is a desirable feature but it's a heavy beast and the 17-40mm f2.8L might need it's own "porter".  The f4L version might be bearable but remember you're going uphill for most of the time.  See all of Dave 'n Debs shots for an idea of the trek on the Nepal side (most picturesque side, too).  I believe I would go with a T3i or 60D and pack several Ziplock bags for moisture protection (but I believe your chances of rain are slim at that altitude).  The 18-55mm "kit" lens (even on the 60D) would be my choice for it's light weight. 

If you go with the T3i (or T2i) I'd carry two (once in a lifetime trip deserves backup), and I've had good luck with Opteka batteries ordered from amazon.com (lp-e8) listed as low as $9.95.  I get the same life and performance as the Canon battery and they indicate charge left.  I'd carry 10 to 20. 

http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-LP-E8-2000mAh-Capacity-Battery/dp/B003LZ5SM6/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1326766744&sr=8-9

For the 7D or 60D I'd go with the Genuine Canon battery or order a few from lacoloronline and test them out.  Taky Cheung backs his stuff up to the hilt.

Carry all spare batteries in individual small ziplock bags (prevent short) and keep them in inside clothing pockets to keep them warm and keep them in your sleeping bag at night.

Hope this info helps you.  But do check Dave 'n Deb's website and the link I gave.  Invaluable info there.

Which side are you going with, China/Tibet or Nepal?

Good catch there!

I edited the post and put the link in the right place.  Here it is again:

http://theplanetd.com/everest-base-camp-adventure-the-arrival/

Their Everest Base Camp Trek took place in 2010 so that is beginning to be a bit "buried" on their site, they have so much there.  So I found where their EBC trek starts and linked to there so digitally doesn't have to "hunt" on their site for it.  Those folks travel world wide and take lots of pictures and probably much video now.  They are even about to go to Antarctica!

Yes, lots of media cards and I use 16GB media but here 32GB might be a real good idea.   I've got a system when I'm doing a lot.  I store the unused media cards in one of those Pelican media cases with the label side out.  When I pull one from the camera I press it into place in the case label side in so I can tell at a glance what's been used and what has not.

For better protection against unintended re-use you could slide the write protect switch to the "protect" position but I hate to mess with those.  I just follow my "system" and pay attention to what I'm doing.

Hey thanks for the e and the link. Very informative. Thanks again.

Well, anyway, I spoke to our contact person, and upon telling him that I am making a video log of the whole journey he is now willing to let me take my laptop along. Which of course is perfect. So I can transfer my footage from the cam at the end of everyday.

We had done a bike trip from Srinagar in Kashmir to pune to the south/west of india year before last. And I made a video of that whole journey. Shame I didn't Have my 550 at that point. 4000km on motorcycle is some crazy riding and some awesome experiences, specially in Ladakh. Last year (2011) we drove from south to north and back to the south of india, 5500km.

am not sure about the hard disk statistics though, because people use them at ADvanced base camp and camp 1 at everest as well, so that should not be a prob. The main problem Was saving my footage which is now all sorted because of the fact that I will b able to Take my laptop with me.

Age does not matter on this trek as it totally a non technical trek. Plus the fact that you do not stay in tents and camp outdoors makes it simpler. Also, worst case scenario, there are medical clinics in all the small viallages, and even worse case scenario, heli rescue is possible at this altitude. If not the summit this sounds the best for someone who is 60+.

Surely thanks for the link you've given and for the advice. Appreciate the effort and prompt replies. Cheers.

Tally