For trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal, you should bring certain basic trekking equipment. While packing or buying gears, keep update about climatic condition in that area. Well, here are some list of equipment that are recommended for trekking are:

Head & Hand Gear

  • Sun Hat: Any lightweight hat with a good brim or visor.
  • Wool or Fleece Hat: should cover ears- but any brand.
  • Balaclava: Should fit underneath your wool or fleece hat or be thick enough to be worn alone.  (It is best when you are above 5000m, as the winds can be really icy)
  • Neckband (Multi use- can be worn as a scarf, facemask and headband to keep your hair out of your face) – Optional
  • Liner gloves: They should be lightweight and synthetic. (Patagonia)
  • Wind stopper fleece gloves: (Any brand of Wind stopper fleece)
  • Mittens w/ pile liners- Esp. for climbing

Footwear:

  • Running shoes: These are great for travel and easy walking.
  • Hiking Boots: Boots should be warm and fit well over light and heavy sock combinations. Fit is much more important than brand. (Asolo, Merrill, Scarpa, La Sportiva)
  • Gaiters: Short, simple gaiters are best, such as Outdoor Research’s Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters.. Gore-Tex gaiters-Recommended for winter trekking & climbing
  • Sport sandals: For camp in lodges during evenings.
  • Lightweight socks: Pairs of synthetic/wool blend (Bridgedale, Patagonia, Wigwam, and Fox River)
  • Heavy socks: Pairs synthetic/wool blend (Smartwool, Bridgedale, Wigwam, Fox River)

Clothing:

  • Lightweight long underwear top/ Bottom: (Patagonia-Capilene, REI, and Mountain Equipment Co-op)
  • Mid-weight long underwear top/ Bottom: Zip T-neck design is good. Light colors are better for tops because they are cooler when hiking in direct sunlight and just as warm as dark colors when worn underneath other layers.  (Patagonia, North Face, Mountain Hard ware)
  • Briefs: 4 pairs synthetic or cotton. Running shorts also work well for underwear.
  • Short-sleeved shirts: Two synthetic; most nylon running shirts or athletic shirts work well. Shirt material should have vapor wicking capabilities. (North Face, Patagonia-Capilene)
  • Pair of Long-sleeve shirts
  • Lightweight windproof fleece (For daytime trekking)
  • Jacket synthetic or fleece: Synthetic jackets or pullovers are a great alternative to fleece because they are lighter and more compressible. Primaloft type fill or Polartec 100 or 200 fleeces is recommended. (Wild Things Primaloft, Patagonia Puff Jacket)
  • Synthetic insulated Pants: Primaloft or Polarguard 3D. Full side zips are recommended. Mountain Hardwear Chugach 3D pants are an example. An acceptable alternative are fleece pants Polartec 100 or 200, but they are bulky, heavier and less versatile.
  • Down insulated Jacket: A medium weight down fill jacket with a hood. The hood is optional but is highly recommended. (Marmot, North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia)
  • Waterproof breathable Jacket & pants: The jacket must have a hood and the pants must have full-length side zips. (Arc’Teryx, Marmot, Mountain Equipment Co-op)

Accessories:

  • Sunglasses: For high altitude. 1 pair of high quality 100%UV and 100%IR with a minimum of 80% light reduction, side shields such as those found on “glacier glasses” are not recommended, but size and shape of lens should offer maximum protection from bright light on snow.
  • Sunglasses: One pair high quality 100%UV and 100%IR, for lower elevations, also as a backup. It is important to have a spare pair of sunglasses.
  • Headlamp w/ spare bulb: AA or AAA battery powered (Petzl or Black Diamond)
  • Spare batteries: Bring plenty for reading in tents at night.

Extras:

  • Backpack: 40L or more, internal frame. Top opening mountaineer’s rucksack style is best.
  • Pack cover: Recommended. To protect your gear on rainy day or snowy days etc
  • Sleeping Bag: Minimum 10F to maximum -10F (-12C to -24C) Down 700 fill minimum (Marmot, Mountain Hardwear) – We Provide if you do not have this!
  • Water bottles: Two 1-liter, leak-proof wide-mouth (Nalgene or lexan type bottle)
  • Pee Bottle: This is optional. One 1-liter, leak-proof wide-mouth (Nalgene or lexan bottle)
  • Pee funnel for women: Optional
  • Trekking Poles: Recommended. Useful for going up and down trails, Adjustable poles are better for packing. (Leki, Black Diamond)
  • Swiss Army Knife: Remember not to leave in carry-on bags for any international or domestic flight.

Medical & Personal

  • Sunscreen: SPF 30 or higher, non-oily (Derma tone or Terrapin)
  • Lipscreen: SPF 30 or higher (any brand)
  • Toiletry kit: Toothbrush, toothpaste, skin lotion, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, soap, comb/brush, shave kit, (bring travel size bottles to keep your kit small).
  • First-aid kit: Ibuprofen/Aspirin, assorted Band-Aids, moleskin, Neosporin-type suave, small gauze pad, roll of adhesive tape, tweezers, safety pins. Include any prescription travel meds that might be prescribed by your doctor (antibiotics, Diamox, sleep aids).
  • Large trash compactor bags: For waterproofing some items inside your duffel.
  • Baby wipes
  • Earplugs: Very useful for sleeping in tents and lodges.
  • Water purification tablets: Such as Potable Aqua brand iodine tablets. You will be given plenty of purified water during your trek, but one bottle of backup purification tablets is always a good idea for your travels. They are especially useful in hotels on your way to Nepal. You should not drink untreated tap water anywhere in Asia and bottled water in some rare cases might not be available.

Travel Items

  • Trek/ Expedition Duffel Bag: Large size with strong zippers. (Wild Things The North Face etc.)
  • Small Travel Bag: Can also use a second duffel bag. For storing travel clothes and personal items at the hotel in Kathmandu- We could provide you this
  • Nylon stuff sacks: Two or three, for organizing your gear and clothes. Lighter colors are preferable for easy labeling.
  • Clothes for Kathmandu and International Travel: Two or three changes of comfortable simple travel clothes. Evenings in Kathmandu can be slightly cool in autumn and spring
  • Work-out clothes and/or bathing suit: Simple and versatile, for hotels.
  • Passport belt/pouch
  • Small Padlocks: For locking duffel bag(s)
  • Book(s)
  • Journal
  • Camera: Digital and/or film camera. Bring plenty of extra batteries, and memory cards for your digital camera. If you recharge your batteries power will be available in most of the lodges during the trek. Adaptors to fit the outlets in Nepal can be purchased easily in Kathmandu. Digital video camcorders are very useful. They allow you to record sounds and still images as well as video.
  • Film: Be sure to keep in your carry-on luggage, in clear zip-loc bags so that it can be inspected.
  • Note: These items are only a recommendation and you could pack your clothing/equipment based on your travelling experience, it is important to know that efficient packing is essential for minimize your load on international and domestic flights!

CLIMBING GEARS

Only equipped climbers could have safe and successful climbing in Himalayas so while preparing for the climbing trips, one must consider the best climbing gear/equipment. Here below, we do have some guidelines for what you need, esp. for the climbing section, find it below.

Gears Required:
Personal Climbing Gears:

  • Ice axe
  • Crampons
  • Harness
  • Tape Slings (2)
  • Screwgate Karabiners (2 lock, 2 unlock)
  • Descender/Abseil Device
  • Plastic Mountaineering Boots
  • Ascender
  • Helmet (optional)

Group Climbing Gears:

  •        Snow bar*
  •        Rope*
  •        Ice Hammer*
  •        Ice Screw*