EQUIPMENTS

You are expected to provide the following personal equipment. These items are mandatory for survival in the mountains, so make sure you have everything on the list.
 
The emphasis on equipment necessary for mountain travel follows two simple tenets: Lightweight and Functional. Since you will be carrying all of your gear and a portion of the group gear, the items you choose to take should be lightweight, dependable, and adaptable to a variety of extreme conditions. The quality of the equipment you choose has a lot to do with how warm, dry, and safe you will remain so be critical of quality and the proper fit of clothing. Comfort lends itself to a more enjoyable experience!'

The layering system outlined is usually sufficient for most people, but if you tend to be colder, bring one extra medium layer such as a vest, which would be ideal for extra warmth around camp. When making the final decision as to what goes into your pack, remember that it’s a fine science of taking just enough clothes and accessories to do the job, while not over-burdening yourself with items you probably will not use.
 
Cotton clothing must be avoided because it dries very slowly and is a poor insulator when wet. Instead, choose wool or synthetic fabrics that “wick” the sweat and moisture away from your skin to keep you much warmer.
 
We will supply complimentary water and windproof duffel bag which you can use on the trek and is carried by porter/s. The duffel bag is yours to keep after the trek. You can leave your bag with your non-trek items at the hotel in Kathmandu and collect them after the trek.
All the equipment like Base camp tents, kitchen accessories and all the group climbing equipment ( climbing rope, ice screw, snow bar, ice hammer) is provided by the company.

Climbing Gear

He(Guide) The following equipment is essential for climbing.

• Alpine climbing harness. Must have adjustable leg loops and fit overall clothing.
• 2 locking carabiners. The large, pear-shaped carabiner is best, screw gate type recommended
• 3 regular carabiners. Lightweight; BD Hotwire is recommended.
• Ice ax w/leash. Lightweight (Grivel Air tech, Black Diamond Raven, or Charlet Moser Snow Walker). Under 5’7” use 60cm; 5’7”- 6’2” use 65cm; over 6’2” use 70cm.
• Plastic Mountaineering boots (Koflach Degree, Lowa Civetta, or Scarpa Alpha) or Leather Double Mountaineering boots (La Sportiva Olympic Mons, Boreal GI or equivalent; must be mountaineering/crampon compatible)
• Crampons. Must be fit to plastic boots prior to the trip, new-style type recommended; include a simple repair kit (Grivel G12, Black Diamond Contact, or Charlet Moser Super 12)
• Adjustable trekking poles.
• Belay/rappel device (Figure 8 preferred)

Upper Body

• 2 a cotton t-shirt.
• 1 polypropylene t-shirt.
• 2 long sleeve polypropylene shirts. Lightweight, light-colored for sunny days.
• 2 women sports bras. Synthetic, no cotton!
• 1 Softshell. Marmot Dri-clime Wind Shirt, Patagonia Stretch Zephyr or Krushell Jacket (R2 pullover acceptable).
• Down/synthetic sweater or vest. Patagonia Puffball Jacket or Sweater preferred; R4 Jacket acceptable
• Hardshell jacket with hood. Waterproof and breathable. Gore-Tex or equivalent is best, roomy enough to fit over multiple layers.
• 1 expedition down parka with hood. This is probably your most important piece of clothing! It is important that your jacket is 700+ fill down, baffle construction (not sewn-through seams) and has a thickly insulated hood.

Hand Wear

You will require two systems: one glove system for lower on the mountain and a mitten over mitt system for the cold temperatures encountered on summit day.

• 2 pair of liner gloves. Thin wool or polypropylene.
• 1 pair of warm gloves. Fleece or wool.
• 1 pair expedition shell gloves.
• 1 pair modular expedition shell mitts. Or Pro Mitts. If they do not have wrist straps consider sewing one on so that you can either attach it to your jacket or cinch the strap to your wrist so that you do not lose your mittens in high winds

Head Gear

• Warm hat. Wool or synthetic that covers your ears.
• Balaclava
• Face mask.
• Shade hat or baseball cap.
• Glacier glasses. 100% UV protection with side shields and a hard-sided storage case (e.g. Julbo or Cebe)
• 1 pair extra sunglasses (Also with UV protection in case your 1st pair breaks).
• 1 ski goggles with UV protection
• If you require prescription glacier glasses, you can get your lenses modified to your prescription.

Lower Body

• 4 pairs of liner socks. Polypropylene or Capilene.
• 3 pairs of lightweight trekking socks.
• 2 pairs of medium-heavy wool socks. Check boot fit with liner and wool socks on.
• 1 pair of nylon shorts.
• 1 pair nylon pants for trekking and around camp.
• 2 pair lightweight long underwear bottoms
• 1 pair fleece pants with a side zipper or “puff-ball pants”
• 1 pair soft shell pants (e.g. Patagonia Guide pants or OR Granite Pants. Schoeller fabrics).
• 1 pair of hard shell pants. Waterproof/breathable with full side zips, Gore-Tex or equivalent is best.
• 1 pair gaiters. Make sure they will fit over plastic boots (OR Crocodiles or equivalent).
• 1 pair down booties (optional).
• 1 pair trail shoes for the hike to base camp and use at camp
• 1 pair of sandals or tennis shoes for Kathmandu and in camp
• All clothing should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks or large plastic bags.

Pack

• 1 lightweight internal frame pack (approx 4,000 cubic inches).
• 1 daypack is optional for the approach hike, possible use on summit day and carry-on pack. If you plan to use it for your summit pack it must be large enough for your down jacket, misc. clothes, food, and water. The Lowe Alpine Neutrino or Black Diamond Speed 28 is excellent, lightweight (16 oz.) choices.
• 1 large (7,500+cu.in.) duffel bag for gear, must be durable for use on pack animals
• Small padlock for a duffel bag.
• 1 small duffel bag for luggage storage in Kathmandu. We will supply a complimentary duffel/kit bag for the item you buy in Kathmandu.

Sleeping Gear

• 1 down sleeping bag rated to -10 F (Gore Dry loft or similar fabric helps protect down and dark colors speed drying time)
• Sleeping Pad. Full length closed cell foam (mandatory) and/or Therma-Rest for extra warmth and comfort

Miscellaneous

• 1 first-aid kit with ibuprofen and any other doctor recommended medications.
• Lip balm. At least SPF 20, 2 sticks. A string taped to the stick is helpful to hang around your neck
• Sunscreen. At least SPF 40
• Headlamp. Petzl Myobelt 3 or Black Diamond Polar Star.
• 3 Water bottles. 1 liter wide-mouth Nalgene (1 is a pee bottle).
• Hydration bladder with drinking tube for lower mountain (optional)
• 1 water bottle insulator.
• Plastic mug w/snap-on lid, 16 oz. or larger.
• Bowl and spoon. Plastic, small Tupperware works well. Lexan spoons are best.
• Pocket knife. Small Swiss-army type.
• Water purification. Iodine tablets or Polar-pure crystals
• Toiletry kit. Be sure to include toilet paper stored in a plastic bag.
• 3-4 Large plastic bags, for keeping miscellaneous gear dry.
• Nylon stuff sacks. For food and gear storage (OR has a good selection); large Ziplocs are useful also.
• Camp towel.
• Earplugs.
• Hand wipes.
• 1 small stainless steel thermos (optional).
• Favorite snack foods (no more than 2 pounds).
• Paperback books, cards, Walkman, etc.
• Binoculars (optional for viewing the route from the lower camps).
• Camera. 1 light weight point & shoot on the mountain, 1 large SLR type is optional for the trek in and base camp.
• Fanny pack or wallet for travel documents, money & passport.
• Passport and passport photos
• Airline ticket (Please leave your airline ticket at our office in Kathmandu because we may require be changing the date of your departure from Kathmandu

"While you are required to bring everything on this list, there are numerous options, brands, and versions of each piece of equipment. Use your experience and the listed features to find the best gear for you. Some of the above equipment can be easily found in stores in Kathmandu for cheaper prices."