Fitness & eligibility

1

Meeting point

Kathmandu

What to bring

• limbing Gears List
• 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).
• Climbing Boots: Plastic double boot. (La Sportiva, Koflach, Scarpa)
• Gaiters: Short, simple gaiters are best. Gore-Tex gaiters are not necessary. (Outdoor Research "Rocky Mountain Low").
• Sport sandals: They are excellent in camp 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, 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 (Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia Puff Jacket).
• Synthetic insulated pants: Primaloft or Polargard HV. Full side zips are recommended. Mountain Hardwear Compressor pants are an example. An acceptable alternative are fleece pants Polartec 100 or 200, but they are bulky, heavy 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 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
• Gortex mittens with pile liners: (Outdoor Research)
• Bandana: Two to three traditional cotton style.This is an important item with many uses. Large sizes are best. You may also like one or two circular bandanas 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 for reading in tents at night.
• Climbing Equipment
• Ice Axe: General mountaineering axe. 60 cm length is good for most people but it does depend on your height. Shaft should be straight, not curved. You will need a leash to attach your axe to you harness as well as a “wrist loop”. Bring a commercial leash designed for glacier travel or 6 ft of 9/16 inch webbing and your guide will help you construct one (Grivel, Black Diamond).
• Crampons: 12-point step-in (Grivel, Black Diamond)
• Harness: Alpine style, you should not have to step through leg loops to put it on and off. It should be lightweight and fully adjustable (Black Diamond).
• Carabiners: Two large locking “pear” shaped, six regular mountaineering carabiners (avoid small gate specialized sport climbing carabiners) (Black Diamond, Petzl, Clog)