Gear & Equipment list for Everest Base Camp Trek

What does one bring with them for a 19 day trip to Nepal? 11 days of which are trekking. I had no idea what I needed before I booked this trip. Through necessity, trial and error and plenty of internet searches I finally managed to get a list together of what I thought I needed. One problem I found with a lot of lists I saw online is that they do not tell you the recommended quantity of items to bring. I hope the following notes help you pack for your trek.

FEET

• Good quality and well broken in hiking boots are a given, ensure that they are slightly too big for you foot when buying them. Often when coming down hill your foot will slide in your boot, if they are too tight this will cause your toes to hit the front of your boots which can cause some painful injuries. It also affords you the option of wearing multiple or thicker socks if it gets colder so always buy a little bit too big.
• Trekking socks are also important, I brought way too many pairs with me, I think 11 but in the end I was glad to have a clean pair of socks to put on everyday. In hindsight 5-6 pairs would have been enough. I used thick 100% wool socks for higher up the mountain where its colder and lighter polyester ones for lower down where its warmer. Do not bring cotton socks, cotton fibres when wet from either sweat or rain will not let your feet breath, this will promote the occurrence of blisters. Also, wool or polyester even when wet will keep you warm unlike cotton. As a rule avoid cotton for any sort of hillwalking or trekking.
• Comfortable runners, sandals, crocs or whatever you prefer to wear after a long days trekking its such a treat to put on some lightweight footwear. Also useful for the days in Kathmandu. A definite for the backpack.
• Gaiters, I ended up leaving mine at home but some people had them and used them on the last few days, they provide extra warmth on the cold days up high but are not essential.

***

CLOTHING

• Trekking pants, I use Craghoppers synthetic trousers and find them excellent, they are lightweight, tough and fast drying. I had two pairs with me, you would get away with one pair however if you get an opportunity to wash them along the way. The convertible ones would be useful as it gets very warm lower down, I don't use those however but its down to personal choice.
• Fleece mid layers, I am a big believer in the layering system. I brought along two micro fleeces, one size medium and one size large. The large will easily fit over the medium one if it gets really cold. I prefer the ones with the zip at the top only rather than a full zip, they seems to be more compact and generally warmer.
• Down jacket, this is useful for the cold nights sitting around after a long day trekking. Depending on the time of year however you may need a better quality one than I brought with me, I got mine for €15 in Ireland but it did the job just fine. You can pick up good quality ones in Kathmandu for a good price.
• Fleece pants, again I bought cheap ones from home but they are well worth bringing along. I used them around the stove at night time to keep me nice and warm, the soft material also is comfortable after wearing trekking trousers all day.
• Rain Jacket, I used mine only for an hour while walking in snow one evening, otherwise it didn't leave the backpack but you can never be sure, bring it
• Rain Pants, likewise used for only an hour but also bring it along.
• Thermals, I took two long sleeve thermal tops to wear over my base layer, only needed them on the days above 4500m but also useful at night time as an extra warm layer in the sleeping bag. Thermal underwear are useful for this purpose also but not for walking.
• Synthetic tee shirts, As mentioned with the socks do not bring cotton tee shirts for trekking, throw some in for around Kathmandu but for trekking polyester or some other synthetic material is best. I brought along eight synthetic tee shirts, five might have done fine however and two cotton shirts for Kathmandu.
• Base layers, like any good layering system the layer closest to the skin should wick sweat away from the body. I brought along two top half base layers and two underpants style base layers. These can be washed with a minimal amount of water and dry quickly so a good addition to the backpack.
• Underwear, in addition to the base layer underwear I took some synthetic ones also. four to five pairs will see you through the holiday.
• Tracksuit pants, for around Kathmandu and also travelling home, when all other clothes are dirty
• Shorts, Kathmandu can be very warm, it touched 30 degrees when we were there so shorts make common sense, these can be left safely in the hotel until you return.

***

HEAD & HANDS

• Wool gloves, I didn't really use wool gloves during the trek, even at night time I didn't have much use for them but nevertheless you cant be sure. Treks later in the year may be colder
• Waterproof gloves, again I didn't have much need for them but we were fortunate not to get any rain during our trek. Wore them one night for an hour while throwing snowballs in Lobuche
• Scarf, this could be useful on particularly cold days but I didn't end up using mine. Could have used it as a face mask to protect from all the dust on the trail.
• Bandanas are very useful for protecting against the dust, also used as a sunguard on your head if your prefer them over hats
• Sun hat, at these altitudes a hat is vital to protect against heat stroke, even if you cannot feel the sun it is there.
• Wool hat, I brought two along, one for bed and one for trekking.
• Sunglasses, probably as important as your boots, if you have a spare set bring those too. Ensure they have 100% UV protection however, it gets very bright the higher you go.

***

EQUIPMENT

• Trek first aid kit, the guides have these so it is not essential but good practice to always carry one anyway.
• Trek towels, I got two online very cheaply. These are expensive if store bought but definately worth it, these are much smaller and dry much quicker than regular towels. You will have to provide all your own shower gear once out of Kathmandu.
• Bio-degradable soap, helps protect the local areas by using bio-degradable soap rather than brand products.
• Sun Cream & aftersun cream, factor 50 sun lotion for high up, at this height the sun can burn you in minutes so do not go without. On the plus side because you are wearing so many clothes you do not need to apply it to many areas.
• Spare batteries for camera, headtorch, mp3 etc.
• Blister kit, useful to have in the backpack, blisters can ruin your enjoyment of the trek.
• Watch
• 45L daysack, you wont need one this big but I use it at home and used to carrying the weight. 25-30L would be enough.
• Chlorine & Neutralising tablets for treating your water, bottled water is available but is very expensive.
• Head torch, vital for walking around at night time in the lodges, electricity is not available higher up meaning they use solar panels for their power, lighting is very low and non existent in many places.
• Hand sanitiser, use this during the day, lunch stops, after using the toilet.
• Compression stuff sacks. helps make you gear smaller and fit better in your rucksack, also useful for separating clean and dirty clothing.
• Swiss army knife, not really needed but you never know.
• Sewing kit
• Talcum powder, at the end of the day its a good idea to put some on your feet and in your boots, helps prevent blisters and smelly boots.
• Survival bag, just in case. The old cliché applies here but I would rather have it and not need it than not have it and need it.
• Ibuprofen, Motillium, Panadol, Throat lozenges, Dioralyte rehydration salts and any prescription medication.
• mp3 player, there is lots of down time.
• Books, again there is lots of down time on this trek.
• Airporter, for protecting your rucksack while travelling through airports, keeps straps tidy and free from getting caught in conveyor systems.
• Lipsalve, make sure it has sunscreen in it, burned lips are nasty and could ruin your trip.
• Camera, make sure it is in good working order, your wont be here everyday and want to get some excellent pictures
• Disposable camera, throw it in the daysack for Everest base camp and Kala Patthar, just in case your camera fails.
• Travel clothesline, helps you dry your washed clothes, definately not essential.
• Trekking poles, I do not use these at home but if anywhere I would have used them then Nepal would have been it. On the way down there are a lot of steep downhill section which can punish the knees. If you don't use them usually consider using them here. Can be bought in Namche for 1500rupees or less.
• Sleeping bag, I took along a synthetic bag, others had down filled bags. Its personal preference. Down bags are lighter and compact smaller but a synthetic bag can last longer and can be easily washed. Also synthetic is much cheaper.
• Sleeping bag liner, I didn't have one but it may have been useful for extra warmth.
• Baby wipes, when in need of a wash but no shower is available or its too cold these really do work wonders, they keep you clean enough until you can get a shower and are a real treat at the end of a long dusty day. One of the most important items I took.
• Spare boot laces
• Pillow case, for night time just throw your down jacket in a pillow case and that can be your pillow.
• Notebook and pens, for keeping a travel log. Helps to pass the down time.
• Toilet paper, make sure you always have some as a personal stash. It is not provided in the lodges.