Gears and Equipment

Trekking


FOOTWEAR

  • Snickers
  • Trekking Boots (Comfortable and well-broke in)
  • 2/3 Pairs of Thin Socks (Cotton, Nylon or Capilene)
  • 2/3 Pairs of Thick Socks (Wool)

CLOTHING

  • Hiking Shorts
  • Long Waterproof Trousers/Light Nylon Pants
  • 2/3 pairs of T-Shirt (Light and Breathable)
  • Insulated down Jacket (Water/Air proof)
  • Hard Shell Jacket with Hood Optional (Water/Air proof)
  • Fleece Top (Warm Inner Wear) Pair of GLOVES
  • Headlamp Optional
  • Sun Hat
  • Neck Gaiter
  • Sun Glasses (100% UV/IR)
  • Suns-cream (SPF 30+)
  • Equipment
  • Sleeping Bag (0°C – 10°C)
  • Backpack
  • Trekking Poles
  • Water Bottles
  • Hand/Foot Warmers Optional Cell phone Charging 3 Pin/2 Pin Socket
  • Toiletry Items
  • First Aid/medicines


Climbing


EQUIPMENT
Alpine Climbing Harness – A good climbing harness should be light and simple in design, easy to put on and take off with gloves on, with positively foolproof locking features.


Crampons – Crampons must fit boots perfectly; steel crampons with anti-balling and ability to toe point positively and safely into ice. The lighter the better – extra weight on your feet is much more strenuous than anywhere else on your body.


Ice axe – Ice axe should be versatile and light. A general purpose technical ice axe (T rated) but not too aggressive.

Ascender: Ascender or Jamar, a mechanical device used for ascending on a rope; must be suitable to be used with gloves or mittens. Practice using it with thick gloves on again and again.


Multi-LED Head Lamp – Multi-LED Head Lamp and spare batteries are essential; we do not recommend single bulb lights due to lower reliability.

Carabiners – Minimum 2 locking carabineers, 1 large and 1 small and 4 regular.
Rappel Device – Figure 8, ACT or similar; be familiar with Munter Hitch as it may save your life if you lose your rappel device (which happens a lot)


Trekking Poles – Very handy for the approach; adjustable types are the best (preferably with a simple outside locking mechanism)
Slings – One 3m (10ft) and three 2m (6ft)


Prusik loops – Never hurts to carry a few (e.g. 0.6m and 1.2m), they come in handy in many situations
Masks, hoses, and regulators – Good quality for your safety.


Altimeter – ABC watch or more advanced GPS watches will do the trick. Watch for battery life

limbing helmet – Climbing helmet is essential safety gear for crossing areas under rocks and ice cliffs; light weight is essential.

CLOTHING

Upper Body

  • 1-2 (medium insulation) short-sleeve Merino shirt (e.g. Icebreaker Merino 150 or lightweight 200, Odlo Revolution medium)
  • 2 long-sleeve Merino shirts (e.g. Icebreaker Merino 150 and/or 200 or Odlo Revolution, one medium and one thick)
  • One fleece pullover, medium weight.
  • One fleece jacket.
  • One hard-shell waterproof Gore-Tex jacket with large hood to accommodate the climbing helmet. The Arc’teryx SV range is expensive but offers excellent wind and water protection.
  • Lightweight down jacket for chilly days in base camp or warm layer when stopping for short breaks.
  • One very warm expedition grade goose-down (duvet) jacket with hood or a down suit if you prefer, for high altitude use (e.g. North face, Rab etc.)

Lower Body

  • Merino underwear briefs (Icebreaker, Odlo etc.)
  • One pair walking shorts Optional
  • One pair walking trousers for trekking and around camp
  • Two pair thermal Merino bottoms (Icebreaker 150 or 200 or Odlo Revolution)
  • One pair very thick thermal Merino bottoms (Icebreaker 200, Odlo Revolution Thick)
  • One pair polar fleece trousers or similar mid layer trousers
  • One pair Gore-Tex (over)trousers or bibs. Waterproof/breathable with full side zips
  • One pair of Goose-down trousers or bibs. You may prefer a down suit (North face, Rab, etc.)

Head

  • Warm wool or synthetic hat that covers your ears
  • Balaclava or face mask
  • Scarf or neck sleeve
  • Bandana or head scarf is useful for dusty conditions
  • Ball cap or brimmed sun cap
  • Glacier Sunglass with side shields (2x)
  • One pair of ski goggles (optional with light and dark lens) for windy conditions

Hands

  • One pair lightweight liner gloves. These will be worn when tying knots etc.
  • Mitten: Goretexovermitts (that block the wind) matched with the very warm down mitts, spare mitts might also be useful (For instance, Mountain Equipment Redline)

Feet

  • One pair of plastic boots suitable for >8000m. (For instance La Sportiva Olympus Mons, Millet or equivalent good quality plastic
  • shells with inner boots; avoid tight fit with heavy socks)
  • One pair sturdy leather or synthetic (Gortex) hiking boots with good ankle support for the walk to base camp
  • One pair cross-trainers, running shoes and/or sandals for Kathmandu and in camp
  • One pair down booties Optional
  • Two pair med-heavy poly or wool socks
  • Two Pair of liner socks. Polypropylene or wool
  • Vapor barrier liner socks or plastic bread-bags (matter of preference)
  • Two pair lightweight trekking socks, poly or wool
  • Light Merino wool or cotton socks for in town

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