| Clothing & Equipment:
Your trek outfitter will normally provide two
person waterproof tents, foam mattresses, and
all cooking and eating utensils. You
will need your own warm clothing, walking shoes,
sleeping bag and personal equipment. During
the day you will carry your
camera, jacket, and water bottle in a rucksack.
The rest of your equipment, including your sleeping
bag, will be carried by
porters.
All hiking will be on trails. You will not need
any climbing equipment such as ropes, ice axe,
or crampons at any time during the
trek. The equipment check list that follows
details the equipment you will need for your
trek. Most of these items are available
for rent or sale in Kathmandu., but all trekking
equipment in Nepal is either used equipment
that was sold by other trekkers or
mountaineering expeditions or locally made reproductions
of internationally known brands. The local rucksacks,
duffel bags and
rain ponchos are inexpensive and will usually
stand up to the rigors of a trek or two. Don't
be fooled into thinking that you are
getting a brand name item, however; most new
looking rucksacks available in the bazaar are
made in Nepal from imported
Korean nylon.
In Kathmandu. casual clothes are the rule, unless
you get invited to a formal Nepal government
or embassy reception.
Equipment
Check List:
-
Jeans
or slacks
-
Towel
and toilet kit
-
Underwear
-
Gloves
or mittens
-
Sleeping
bag, warm to 20 degrees F, either down or
fibrefill (or you can rent one in
-
Kathmandu.)
-
Parka,
down or fibrefill; a ski jacket is ok
-
Sweater,
wool shirt or acrylic pile jacket.
-
Duffel
bag, canvas or nylon, without a frame (for
porters to carry)
-
Daypack
or rucksack, waterproof, for you to carry
Water bottle 1 litre or 1 quart; be sure
that it does not leak.
-
Flashlight
or headlamp, Walking shoes: either boots,
light hiking or running shoes, well broken
in. As there may be rain, mud or snow; boots
are sometimes necessary therefore you should
bring them despite the extra hassle. Many
times the entire trek can be done in tennis
shoes, but if there is snow, you run the
risk of frostbite, or at least cold feet
if you do not have boots. If your feet are
small (size 10 or less), you can rent boots
in Kathmandu.
-
Hats,
one with a brim for sun; one wool for cold
weather.
-
Sunglasses
or goggles - very important for travel above
12,000 feet. Absolutelyessential for Everest
treks, optional for Annapurna treks (though
they may be necessary in December and January
when thereis snow).
-
Shorts
- it may be warm during the day, especially
near Pokhara. You will probably not wear
shorts on Everest treks.
-
Women
should wear skirts instead of shorts.
-
Socks
- two or three pairs thick wool or artificial
fibre.
-
Shirts
- three are recommended: two T shirts and
one long sleeve shirt.
-
Pocket
knife (Be sure this is packed in your checked
baggage to avoid hassles with airport security).
-
Rainwear
- a poncho; or you can buy an Indian umbrella
in Kathmandu. for about $2.
-
Slippers
or sandals for campsite wear. Rubber "shower
shoes" are available in Kathmandu.
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