GEAR LISTS

[TREKKING]    [CLIMBING]    [SKI TOURING]    [MOUNTAINEERING COURSE]  [TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT]

GEAR LIST FOR TREKKERS

It is very important to have appropriate equipment for trekking Nepal. It's frustrating to be uncomfortable, inconvenienced or unable to do all you want because of improper equipment, and of course it can even be dangerous. Pack carefully following the list below. Don't overload yourself-or the porters--. But do make sure what you bring is suitable. (Duffel bags for the trek should only weigh about 15kg or 33 pounds.)

Equipment like down jackets, sleeping bags can be purchased or rented in Kathmandu in trekking shops.  There is no need to purchase expensive equipment if you won't need it again.  Although the exact model or style that you want may not be available in Kathmandu, there is quite a selection of gear to choose from. This may be especially pertinent for people undertaking an extensive journey in Asia where the Nepal trek is only part of it. We will be able to assist you if you want to rent or buy equipment in Kathmandu upon your arrival.

 TRAVEL

•  Valid passport for at least 6 months to the end of the climb.

•  Secure Travel Wallet

•  Photocopy of first two pages of your passport

•  Two Passport photos for visas

•  Personal spending money

•  Reading, writing materials

•  Personal travel accident insurance

LUGGAGE:

• 1 large water proof duffel bag: This will carry all your personal gear on the trek. It should be strong and durable.  The best size would be around 30" x 14", with a full-length sturdy zipper and handles.

• 1 small padlock: Your duffel bag should be locked.

• 1 rucksack or day pack:  This should accommodate a sweater, rain gear, water bottle, camera and accessories and any miscellaneous items you want to have during the day.  We recommend a pack with at least 1450cu. In capacity, or smaller if you are not carrying a large amount of camera equipment.

• 1 small duffel bag or suitcase: Items not needed on the trek can be left at the hotel in Kathmandu. This bag should also have a lock.  Be sure to leave room for purchases, or buy one in Kathmandu they have many good quality ones available.

  Your duffel bag is carried by the yaks or porters and won't be available to you while trekking. They will be waiting for you at the teahouse each day. So bring whatever you may need in your day pack during the day but keep it simple. Weights feel magnified at altitude and you will only make the mistake of carrying too much once.

CLOTHING:

•   1 down or fibrefill jacket: The temperatures can fall to minus 10c on Everest Trek at night at high altitudes and it can be cold and windy at times. You will use this item often so pick up a good warm jacket.

•   2 long sleeved warm shirts, 2 short- sleeved shirts or T's: at lower elevation it can be quite hot.  

•    1 pair hiking pants, 1-wind shell type pants and 1 pair of fleece pile pants is a good combination.

•   1 heavy sweater or fleece pile jacket.

•   1 windbreaker or shell clothing (ie:Gore-Tex) including pants.

•   1 set of  gloves or mittens.

•   2 pair heavy socks, at least 80% wool.

•   2 pair light polypropylene socks  

•   Polypropylene long underwear bottom and top.

•   Cotton underwear/briefs.

•   1 fleece or knit hat

•   1 brim hat for sun or rain.

•   1 pair medium weight hiking boot with vibram lug sole.

•   1 pair running shoes

•   1 pair flip flops or sandals to air your feet out at night, also good for the primitive shower facilities.

•   1 sleeping bag –10 rating.

EQUIPMENT:

•   1 plastic water bottle, quart capacity or (Camel Back) style re-hydration system.

•   1 pair good quality sunglasses. Glacier goggles are sometimes required if going on the glaciers.

•   1 toilet kit: soap, tooth brush/paste, thin quick drying towel, toilet paper, and 1 pocketknife.

•   Sunscreen- total block & lip care products.

•   Toiletries, including foot powder.

•   1  headlamp- with spare batteries.

•   Earplugs- to block out noisy camps and teahouse noise.

•   Wristwatch with alarm.

.

NOTE-Our rental equipment in Nepal includes the following: Please ask for a rental application if required.                  

• Sleeping Bag

• Down Jacket

CLIMBING GEAR LIST   - refer to our technical gear page for assistance. 

    Travel  

• Valid passport for at least 6 months to the end of the end of the climb.

• Secure Travel Wallet

• Photocopy of the first two pages of your passport

• One Passport size photo for Nepal Visa/ Two Passport photos for Tibet Visa.

• Personal spending money

• Reading, writing materials

• Personal travel accident insurance

• One large duffel bag for trek weigh no more than 30kg.

• Locks for duffel bag

Clothing  

• Casual clothing for travel and while in Kathmandu

• Underwear                                                        

• 1 pair shorts

• 2 light weight dryable shirts                                            

• 2 sets polypro long johns

• 2 light weight shirts                                                       

• 1 light weight trouser

• 1 fleece jacket                                                              

• 1 fleece pant

• 1 shell bib pants

• 1 shell jacket                                                                

• 1 down jacket

•  2 pair light weight walking socks                        

•  1 pair ski gloves and warm high altitude mitts.

•  1 sun hat and 1 fleece or wool hat.

•  1 pair trekking boots

•  1 pair plastic climbing boots or combination One- Sport.

•  Down booties and warm base camp footwear.

•  1 pair gaiters    

•  1 pair insulated super gaiters

      Equipment  

• 1 carry-on travel bag

• 1 day pack -70 litre.

• 1 personal base camp sleeping tent.

•   2 sleeping pads  

•  2 sleeping bags (it is preferable to leave one bag at BC) 1 (-20c) and 1 (-25c)  

• 1 ice axe

• 1 pair crampons

• 1 harness

• 2 screw locking carabineers

• 2 plain carabineers

• 1 ascender

• 1 descender

• 1 helmet

• 2 tape slings (1-2m and 1-4m)

• 1 set prussic loops

• 1 water bottle

• 1 thermos

• 1 pee bottle- well marked if using the same brand of water bottle.

• 1 head lamp (spare batteries/bulbs)

• 1 pair glacier sunglasses

• 1 pair ski goggles

• 1 small minor first aid kit

• 1 personal repair kit

• 1 pocket knife

• 1 insulated coffee mug

• 2 sun & lip creams

• Personal toile equipment (paper, shampoo, foot powder etc.)

TREKKING & CLIMBING

FIRST AID & MEDICINE

• 1 minor first aid kit  

• Ear plugs to be used as a sleeping aid

• Cold medicine

• Throat lozenges

• Antibiotic -   *please check with your doctor.  

Also ask for our recommended medications list.

SKI TOURING GEAR LIST

Clothing

q       Wool and /or Synthetic- Socks

q       Base layer Top- Synthetic, wool or silk

q       Base layer Bottoms- synthetic, wool or silk

q       Mid-Insulation Layer Top- Pile pants or multipurpose pants

q       Mid-Insulation Layer Bottom- Pile pants or multipurpose pants

q       Light Wind Shell- WIndproof, water resistant layer for high aerobic work

q       Weather Layer Top- Gore-Tex or other waterproof breathable jacket

q       Weather Layer Pants- Gore-Tex or other waterproof breathable pants

q       Warm Outer jacket- Down or synthetic

q       Toque- Wool or Synthetic

q       Brimmed Cap- Preferably wool or synthetic but cotton will do if other unavailable.

q       Face Warmer- Scarf, neck tube, face mask

q       Light Gloves- Wool, synthetic or leather

q       Insulated Gloves or Mitts- Wool or synthetic w/weather proof outershell

q       Gaiters- if pants do not secure over boots

q       Handkerchief

Travel Equipment

q       Skis or Board

q       Boots

q       Poles

q       Skins and /or Waxes

q       Snow Shoes or alternate travel gear for boarders who can't split their board

q       Ski Crampons- Optional, useful in spring or hard tracks

q       Binding/Pole/Skin Repair Kit- Tools and parts to fix your personal travel rig

Snow Safety Equipment

q       Avalanche Beacon

q       Shovel

q       Probe

q       Snow Study Kit

Personal Equipment

q       Pack- Light, and comfortable, 30-40 litres

q       Sunglasses

q       Goggles

q       Sun and Lip Cream

q       Head Lamp

q       Insulated Water Bottle or Thermos

q       Lunch

q       Blister Kit

q       Camera- Optional

q       Binoculars- Optional

Group Equipment

q       Altimeter

q       Map and Compass

q       Snow Study Kit- Screen, magnifiers, ruler, thermoeter etc.

q       Sno and/or Bush Saw

q       First Aid Kit

q       Emergency Sac- Nylon tarp or envelope sack to cover group or injured member

q       Group Repair Kit- May substitute for personal gear kits or supplement them.

q       Two-way Radio or Cell phone- Check for coverage and frequencies in your area.

q       GPS- Optional

q       Small Stove and Pot- May be optional depending on trip,  

GENERAL MOUNTAINEERING GEAR LIST

HIMALAYAN HIGH ALTITUDE SPECIALISTS since 1983