Recommended Gear for Everest Region Christmas Trek
Climbing and trekking in the Khumbu presents opportunities and challenges that call for unique choices in clothing and equipment. You will be inside Sherpa homes and in monasteries, yet you will also be outdoors in a changeable mountain environment. High altitude is a factor, and clothing that provides efficient insulation and versatility is important. You will have many comforts available in the Sherpa villages along the way, but life is simple and the days are full during your trip. The porters and yak-drivers who transport your equipment leave very early in the morning, and are not normally seen during the day. You will need to keep your layers of clothing, simple health and toiletry items, cameras, journals, and other supplies with you in your daypack.
Much attention is given to modesty of dress for visitors coming to Nepal. We feel practical athletic and mountaineering clothing, supplemented with some casual travel wear, is the best solution. You will be more appropriately dressed in lightweight long trousers than in shorts. Temperatures are almost always cool enough in the Khumbu to make long pants preferable anyway.
Top quality mountaineering clothing and equipment is an investment that will see you through years of adventures. It is wise to choose carefully, and not to skimp on quality. The companies and products you see listed below can serve as starting points of reference for you. Take this list to your local outdoor specialty shop.
Feel free to use this list as a reference as you prepare for your trip, but note that not all brands and models are current.
Footwear:
Running shoes: For travel and easy walking
Hiking boots: Leather with a sturdy mid-sole and Vibram sole. Half or ¾ shank boots should be warm and fit well over light and heavy sock combinations. Fit is much more important than brand. Take the time to select a pair that fits your foot, and break them in well (Asolo, Merrill, Scarpa, La Sportiva).
Gaiters: Short, simple gaiters are best. Gore-Tex gaiters are not necessary (Outdoor Research "Rocky Mountain Low").
Sport sandals: They are excellent during evenings when worn over wool socks and perfect for living in tea shops, Sherpa lodges, and for visiting monasteries (Teva, Chaco).
Booties: Down or synthetic. An optional luxury, any brand with thick foam soles is recommended.
Light-weight socks: Three pairs of synthetic/wool blend (Bridgedale, Patagonia, Wigwam, Fox River).
Heavy socks: Three pairs synthetic/wool blend (Smartwool, Bridgedale, Wigwam, Fox River).
Clothing:
Light-weight pants: Two pairs, any brand of Supplex or “stretch woven” pants
Light-weight long underwear top: (Patagonia-Capilene, REI, Mountain Equipment Co-op)
Mid-weight long underwear top: 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 Hardwear).
Light-weight long underwear bottom: Dark colors are preferable (Patagonia-Capilene, REI, Mountain Equipment Co-op)
Mid-weight underwear bottom: Dark colors are preferable because they do not show dirt (Patagonia, REI, Mountain Equipment Co-op).
Briefs: Four 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).
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 fleece is recommended (Wild Things Primaloft, Patagonia Puff Jacket).
Synthetic insulated pants: Primaloft or Polargard HV. Full side zips are recommended. Mountain Hardwear Compressor Pants and Outdoor Research Neoplume Pants are examples. An acceptable alternative are fleece pants Polartec 100 or 200, but they are bulky, heavy and less versatile.
Down insulated jacket: We will provide you with a down-jacket. If you prefer to bring your own, it should be 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 and pants: The jacket must have a hood and the pants must have full-length side zips (Arc'Teryx, Marmot, Mountain Equipment Co-op).
Head & Hand Gear
Liner gloves: They should be lightweight and synthetic (Patagonia Capilene).
Windstopper fleece gloves: Any brand of Windstopper fleece
Bandana: Two to three traditional cotton style. This is an important item with many uses. Large sizes are best. You may also want a circular bandana like those made by Buff.
Sun hat: Any lightweight hat with a good brim or visor.
Wool or fleece hat: Any brand of warm hat that can go over your ears
Balaclava: Should fit underneath your wool or fleece hat or be thick enough to be worn alone.
Accessories
Sunglasses #1: For high altitude. One pair of high quality 100%UV and 100%IR with a minimum of 80% light reduction sunglasses. Side shields such as those found on “glacier glasses” are not required, but size and shape of lens should offer maximum coverage of the eyes to protect them from bright light on snow.
Sunglasses #2: 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 with spare bulb: AA or AAA battery powered (Petzl or Black Diamond)
Spare Batteries: Bring plenty. Lithium batteries do better in cold environments.
Camping Gear
Backpack: 2,500 cubic inches (40L) or more, internal frame. Top opening mountaineer’s rucksack style is best. Avoid large zipper openings and excessive outside pockets. Larger packs are better than smaller, because they are easier to pack with cold hands and they distribute loads more effectively (Gregory, ArcTeryx, Black Diamond).
Pack cover: To protect from rain, snow, and dust.
Sleeping bag: We will provide this for you. If you prefer to bring your own, bring a minimum of a 700 down fill bag with a temperature rating of at least 0°F/-18C°. While we do not anticipate temperatures to drop that low, at high altitudes your body feels colder than normal and it is better to be too warm than too cold.
Water bottles: Two one-liter, leak-proof, wide-mouth (Nalgene or Lexan type bottle)
Pee bottle: This is optional. One-litre, leak-proof, wide-mouth (Nalgene or lexan bottle).
Pee funnel for women: Optional (Freshette)
Pack towel: Small or medium size pack towel. Do not bring terrycloth as they are too bulky and difficult to dry. Bandanas work in a pinch (PackTowl).
Trekking poles: Recommended. Useful for going up and down trails of the Khumbu. Adjustable poles are better for packing (Leki, Black Diamond).
Swiss army knife: Remember not to leave in carry-on bags for any flight.
Medical & Personal
Sunscreen: SPF 30 or higher, non-oily (Dermatone 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 bags: For waterproofing some items inside your duffel.
Zip-loc bags: These are always useful.
Baby/Wet Wipes
Earplugs: Very useful for sleeping in tents and lodges. Available in most hardware stores.
Water purification tablets: Such as Potable Agua 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
Expedition duffel bag: Important. Large size with strong zippers (Wild Things, The North Face, Black Diamond, Gregory).
Small travel bag: Can also use as a second duffel bag for storing travel clothes and personal items at the hotel in Kathmandu.
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 whereas Bangkok is very hot.
Work-out clothes and/or bathing suit: Simple and versatile, for hotels.
Passport belt/pouch
Small padlocks: For locking duffel bags
Books
Journal
Camera
Memory cards or film: Be sure to keep in your carry-on luggage, in clear zip-loc bags.