Everest Base Camp - sam

	Base Camp	Summit
Temperature	10-60F	-30-15F
Precipitation	??????	?????
Wind	?????	Very Strong

All mountain travel equipment should follow two simple tenets: Lightweight and Functional. Lightweight equipment increases your chance of success and helps make you more comfortable. Functional equipment determines how warm, dry, and safe you will be, so always choose equipment that is of good quality, is dependable, and is adaptable to a variety of extreme conditions.  Ascent Outdoors sells a wide variety of equipment that meets these requirements and can help insure that you purchase the best gear for your trip. 

Apparel: The overall system

These four layers are usually sufficient for most people, but if you tend to be colder bring one extra medium-layer that would be ideal for extra warmth around camp, such as a vest. When deciding what to pack, remember to bring enough clothes and accessories to ensure your safety and comfort, while not over-burdening yourself with items you probably won’t use. Ascent Outdoors can help guide your purchases and layering strategy. 

• Base layer: manages moisture and wicks perspiration away from your skin. ( Capilene, Merino Wool)
• Softshell: should be a durable, comfortable, insulating and wind/water resistant layer that breathes well. 
• Hard shell: windproof, waterproof and breathable. (e.g. Gore-Tex, or similar)
• Insulating layer: should be down-fill or synthetic-fill and fit over all layers. (e.g. down, primaloft or polarguard)

Apparel: Upper Body

• Synthetic or wool T-shirt for trekking on warmer days
• 2 long sleeved synthetic or wool shirts Lightweight base layer, light colored for sunny days
• 1-2 shirts (optional for relaxation time, cotton is okay)
• 2 sports bras (women) synthetic, no cotton!
• Soft Shell Jacket or pullover
• Mid weight insulation layer Fleece jacket or micro down or synthetic pullover or jacket.
• Down Expedition Parka
• Hard Shell Jacket with Hood - Waterproof breathable
• 1 pair liner gloves (optional) Thin wool or synthetic
• 1 pair warm gloves fleece or wool
• Shell gloves or mitts (optional) Gore-Tex, with textured rubber palms and taped seams. Nylon shells will not keep your hands dry (OR has a great selection)
• Warm hat Wool or synthetic
• 1-2 Buffs, Balaclava or neck warmer to keep your face warm in colder weather and to cover your nose and mouth while hiking – very necessary to combat dust and dry air and avoid getting the “Khumbu Cough".
• Shade hat or baseball cap
• Sunglasses dark lenses with wrap-around sides providing good coverage
• Glacier glasses (optional) 100% UV protection with side shields and a hard-sided storage case (i.e. Julbo or Cebe)*

Lower Body

• 3-4 pair of liner socks Synthetic
• 5 pair light weight trekking socks
• 2 pair lightweight long underwear Synthetic or wool
• 1 pair quick-dry hiking pants
• 1 pair soft shell pants Schoeller or similar fabrics
• Shell pants Waterproof/breathable with full side zips, Gore-Tex or equivalent is best
• Gaiters (recommended)
• Light to Medium weight trekking boots
• Sandals/Crocs/shower shoes for evenings and bathing
• Sneakers (optional)
• Comfortable pants for relaxation time
• Full length loose skirt (optional) This item is useful for women trekkers when nature calls on hikes.

 

* Regardless of the weather, cultural sensitivity is always appreciated, and Nepal is generally a modest culture. Though the younger generation is becoming increasingly modern, women never show their legs or shoulders (no shorts, short skirts, or tank tops); men also do not generally wear shorts, except while hiking.

Sleeping Gear

• Sleeping bag Rated to at least –5 to 5+º F
• Sleeping bag liner (optional) for extra warmth

 

Backpack

• Large day pack* 2400 cubic inch capacity for water, layers, camera, snacks
• 1 large duffle bag (7,500+cu.in.) for gear. Must be durable for use on pack animals. Weather resistant is preferred.
• 1 small bag to store clean clothes in Kathmandu while trekking
• Small padlocks for duffel bags

* Although we will be using porters, you will want to have everything needed for a full day in your pack. You will not be able to get things from your portered bags during the day.

 

Miscellaneous Equipment

• Headlamp and spare batteries
• 2 -one-liter water bottles OR 1 water bottle and 1 hydration bladder with drinking tube. You will need to have 2 containers and at least 1 container that can take very hot boiling water. (Nalgene recommended). If you are bringing a hydration bladder, you will need a cap for the mouthpiece to avoid getting dirty when packs get set on the ground.
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (optional)
• Electrical cords for charging cameras, ipods, etc. and adapter plug (two round pins). The villages on the trail offer charging services for a small fee. Charging is generally available in all villages, however, the services may not be available for various reasons or technical problems
• Small pocket knife (optional)
• Altimeter (optional)
• Trekking poles (optional)
• Toiletry kit with personal necessities—soap, toothbrush, etc.
• Feminine supplies (women)—bring enough, these are generally not available on the trail.
• Toilet paper (teahouses do not provide toilet paper, so you will need to supply your own for the entire trek. It is also available for purchase in all teahouses and shops along the trail)
• Wet Wipes
• Disinfecting wipes. For sinks, showers and toilets
• “Soiled” baggies Small plastic bags for dirty toilet paper if you are on the trail.
• 3-4 Large plastic bags for keeping miscellaneous gear dry
• A few nylon or large plastic stuff sacks for food and gear storage, waterproofing, laundry, etc.
• Camp towel and soap
• Ear plugs highly recommended
• Biodegradable hand sanitizer such as Clean Well (cleanwelltoday.com)
• Snacks Bring your favorite trail snacks (pack in Ziplocs). You might include: dried fruit, nuts, energy bars, beef jerky, electrolyte mix for your water, hard candy, etc. Bring a little extra to share if you like—your Nepali staff will love to try it!
  • NOTE: Trekkers who follow a gluten-free diet must bring protein supplements and high fat foods (because the body craves it at high altitude) such as quinoa snacks or dark chocolate
• Energy or Gu Packets for extra energy and calories if you are sick
• Entertainment Paperback books, cards, or other small games, music player, etc. to pass time after dark.
• Frisbee, inflatable ball etc. for you or to play with local kids (optional)
• A few pictures of your family, home, and neighborhood (optional--Nepalis love to see them)
• Musical instrument if you play one (optional)
• Fanny pack or wallet for travel documents, money & passport
• Passport and extra passport photos*
• Prescription medications**
• Airline ticket

*You will need one passport photo to get your visa on arrival and one to give your group leader for your trekking permit.

** If you have an asthma inhaler or other essential medication which you cannot afford to lose, please keep it on you at all times.

 

Personal first aid kit 

**Please read medical section of this packet carefully to understand recommended medications.**

Recommended:

• Sunblock 30-70 SPF
• Lip balm containing sunblock
• Throat lozenges with analgesic
• Decongestant
• Cough suppressant
• Azithromycin and/or Amoxicillin.
• Ciprofloxacxin
• Electrolyte/salt packets or tablets (recommended)
• Acetazolamide (Diamox)
• Tylenol (for fever)
• Ibuprofen or other (for swelling/inflammation/pain)
• Second Skin and/or Spyroflex pads: bring a good supply to help care for blisters and sore spots!
• Band-Aids and bandages: assorted sizes
• Adhesive medical tape: a small roll, 1-2 rolls
• Small tube of topical antibiotic (Bactracin, Neosporin, Polysporin, etc.)
• Scissors: a small pair
• Moisturizer: helps keep hands and skin from cracking in dry climates
• Spare glasses/contact lenses
• Knee braces: if you have had knee problems, braces may be helpful
• Thermometer