Essential personal climbing gear:

1. 1. Climbing helmet: 

      For the purpose of crossing areas under rocks and ice cliffs, the lightweight Climbing helmet is an essential feature.

   2. Climbing harness:

      A mountain climbing harness should be simple in design, comfortable when you were and as light as possible with positively foolproof locking features, and easy to put on and take off with gloves in your hand.

   3. Climbing Crampons: 

      Light and stainless steel with anti-balling and the ability to point in toe positively, comfortable and safe to walk into ice, it should be adjustable to fit your boots size.

   4. Climbing Ice axe:

      The ice axe should not too aggressive, It should be a general purpose for ice climbing and versatile light with comfortable to use wearing alpine gloves.

   5. Ascender: 

      This is a mechanical device such Ascender or Jamar, which must be suitable to be used with gloves or mittens used for ascending on a rope.

   6. Headlamp Multi-Led:

      Headlamps Multi-led is a very essential item in climbing equipment with spare batteries. We recommend multi-led because single bulb light is low reliability and a single point of failure.

   7. Karabiners: 

      We request you to keep with you during your climbing period a Minimum of 2 locking carabiners, 1 large and 1 small, and 4 regular.

   8. Rappel device: 

      Even if you lose your Rappel device and you will at some stage, Figure 8, act or similar, be familiar with mounter hitch as it may save a climber’s life.

   9. Ski poles: 

      Adjustable types very handy for the approach, are the recommended type and best.

   10. Slings: 

       Three 2m (6ft) and one 3m (10ft).

   11. Masks, hoses, and regulators:

       There are some climbers who do not use supplementary oxygen but most mountaineers use it. It is very essential for the safety of climbers. The regulator must be of very good quality for your safety.

   12. Altimeter:

       An altimeter is a device used on high mountains to measure altitude, giving the user information on how high they are above sea level. Altimeters are usually barometric, calculating the location’s air pressure to determine the altitude at that point.

   13. Jet Boil Stove:

       Quickly boil water while you cook, grill, or heat food with the Jetboil Flash personal cooking system, which features a fold-and-stow spigot and lightweight aluminum pot with a flip lid. Optimized for efficiency and fast boiling times, the Jetboil flash boils water in an impressive 100 seconds.

Clothing: 

Clothing should be kept in large plastic bags or any waterproof stuff to keep it dry.

Regarding the clothing for our climbers, we recommend those company that understands climber and mountaineers’ needs and utilizes the best Icebreaker quality. The quality of clothing plays an extreme role in your comfort and safety. The woolen quality must be the finest and it should match cotton with softness and polypropylene to moisture away from the body and keeps you dry and warm even if it might slightly more expensive.

Heads:

1. 1. A warm and light woolen hat that may cover your ears.
   2. Scarf or neck sleeve.
   3. Face mask.
   4. Bandana or head scarf, useful for dusty conditions.
   5. Sun hat.
   6. Balaclava.
   7. Ball cap or brimmed sun cap.
   8. Glacier Sunglass with side shields.
   9. Ski-type goggles (Optional with light and dark lenses).

Hands: 

1. 1. Light and perfectly fit gloves will be worn when tying knots.
   2. Warm fleece mitt liner.
   3. Another extra glove during trekking and Base camp.

Upper body:

1. 1. A couple of T-shirts.
   2. Fleece pullovers, medium weight.
   3. Fleece jacket.
   4. Gore-Tex waterproof jacket with hood, better larger to cover the climbing helmet.
   5. Best quality down jacket for chilly days with extra lightweight.
   6. Best quality goose-down (duvet) jacket with hood or a down /duvet suit.

Lower body: 

1. 1. Pairs of underwear.
   2. Walking trousers for trekking and around camp.
   3. Pair of lightweight thermal bottoms.
   4. Pair of fleece trousers.
   5. Pair of Gore-Tex trousers or bibs. Waterproof /breathable with full side zips.
   6. Pair of Goose-down (duvet) trousers or bibs. You may prefer a down (duvet).

Feet: 

1. A pair of good quality plastic shell climbing boots with inner boots, should not be a tight fit with heavy socks.)
2. One pair of leather or synthetic (Gortex) hiking boots with good ankle support for the walk to advanced base camp.
3. One pair of cross-trainers, running shoes, and /or sandals for Kathmandu and at the campsite.
4. Three pairs of warm and heavy poly or wool socks.
5. Pairs of liner socks. Polypropylene or wool.
6. Plastic bread- bags or Vapour barrier liner socks.
7. Two pairs of lightweight trekking socks, poly or wool.
8. Light Icebreaker merino wool or cotton socks for in-town.

Rucksacks/ travel bags, daypack, and Sleeping gear:

1. 1. 1. One medium rucksack (50-70 liters/ 3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for airplane carry).
      2. Two large (120 l / 7500 cubic inch) duffle kit bags for clothing and equipment.
      3. Small padlocks for duffel kit bags.

Sleeping gear:

1. 1. 1. For high altitude, one down (duvet) sleeping bag (rated to -35 C (-30F). In the high camp, you can s sleep in your down (duvet) clothing inside your sleeping bag.
      2. For base camp, one additional sleeping bag (good to -20 C (-5 F).
      3. At least 3 closed cell foam mats for use in base camp and high altitude, which can be purchased in Kathmandu inexpensively, we do not recommend inflatable mats due to the high probability of accidental puncture.

Note. Your sleeping bags should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks, bin liners, or large plastic bags.

Toiletries: 

1. 1. 1. Personal hygiene.
      2. Personal hygiene supplies.
      3. Two tubes of lip sun cream, One large tube of skin sun cream (min. factor 30).
      4. Anti-mosquito cream.
      5. One toothpaste /brush set.
      6. One bar of soap or hand sanitizer gel/ 1 small synthetic towel.
      7. Hand wipes.

Medical supplies:

Note. Small personal first-aid kit. (Simple and light) Aspirin, first-aid tape, plasters (band-aids), personal medications, etc. The leaders will have extensive first-aid kits.

1. 1. 1. One pocket of skin blister repair kit.
      2. Medications are inexpensive and readily available in Kathmandu with no doctor’s prescription.
      3. One small bottle of anti-diarrhea pills (Imodium).
      4. One small bottle of anti-headache pills.
      5. One small bottle of cough and /or cold medicine.
      6. One/two course of antibiotics for stomach infection is available locally at a chemist shop or pharmacy with no doctor’s prescription.
      7. One small bottle of anti-altitude sickness pills. Diamox. Acetazolamide. For more about this medication. Please contact us.
      8. Do not bring sleeping pills. They are respiratory depressants non-compatible with high-altitude physiology.
      9. One small bottle of water purification tablets or water filter.
      10. Earplugs.
      11. Extra prescription glasses/contact lenses. Contact lens wearers, please bring glasses in case of emergency.

Personal prescription of medications, Please let your leader know about any medical issues before the climb.

Miscellaneous practical items:

1. 1. 1. A Small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing repair kit.
      2. A cigarette lighter, and 1 small box of matches.
      3. A compass or GPS.
      4. A battery-powered alarm clock/ watch.
      5. A digital camera with extra cards and extra batteries.
      6. Nylon stuff sacks for food and gear storage, and large Ziplocs are also useful.
      7. Three water bottles (1 liter) of wide-mouth Nalgene (1 is a pee bottle).
      8. A plastic cup and spoon.
      9. A small folding knife.
      10. Binoculars (optional).
      11. Four large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks.
      12. Passport, 2 extra passport photos, flight ticket, flight itinerary.
      13. Separate photocopies of passport and relevant visa pages, proof of insurance.
      14. Dollars, Pounds, or Euros cash for purchasing a Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, and snacks, and to purchasing your own drinks and gifts.
      15. Credit cards, Bank / ATM/ Cash machine cards for use for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler’s checks, etc.
      16. A bathing suit/ swimming costume (you never know).
      17. Base camp entertainment. It is good to bring additional items which you have found to be useful on previous expeditions. For example, paperback books, playing cards, iPod mp3 player, short-wave radio, game boys, musical instruments, ear plugs, lots of batteries, etc.
      18. Travel clothes for base camp and in town.
      19. Please be sure and bring your patience and try to keep an open relaxed, positive, and friendly attitude as traveling in this part of the world may be very different than what you are used to but things always seem to fall into place at the last moment.

Note. This is not an exhaustive list. Please submit other equipment concerns and suggestions.