Packing List for Peak Climbing in Nepal

25th Jul, 2024

To avoid any confusion about what to pack for climbing in Nepal, we've prepared a comprehensive packing list. While it serves as a guideline for trekkers and climbers, remember it is not exhaustive or definitive.

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Your final packing list for climbing in Nepal will depend on your personal preferences and good judgment. Although most lodge-to-lodge or teahouse treks in Nepal have similar packing lists, the specifics can vary based on the duration of your trek.
Peak Climbing in Nepal

For example, from the essential climbing gear list provided below, Actual Adventure will supply lodges, meals (three times a day), a sleeping bag, a duffel bag, and a down jacket for all seasons. Items marked with an asterisk (*) in the checklist are included in the trip cost.

Keep in mind that a single porter is limited to carrying 33 lbs (15 kgs) of your personal belongings, which is also the weight restriction for domestic flights in Nepal. Since you will have additional gear and equipment, the weight limit might be exceeded. We will cover the cost for a small excess, but if your luggage significantly surpasses the limit, you will need to pay the extra cost. This packing list for the Everest Base Camp Trek provides valuable insights into what you need during the initial trekking phase before your climbing expedition in Nepal.

Important Documents and Items

Passport with 6 months validity, 2 passport size photos, airline tickets
Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport), proof of insurance
Cash (Dollars, Pounds, or Euros) for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, paying for restaurants and hotels, gratuities, snacks, and personal drinks and gifts
Credit card, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler’s cheques
Nepalese currency for snacks and other items on the trail

Personal Climbing Gear

Ice axe
Crampons
Harness
Screwgate karabiners (2 locks, 2 unlock)
Descender/eight figure
Plastic mountaineering boots
Ascender/Jhumar
Helmet

Group Climbing Gear

Snow bar
Rope
Ice hammer
Ice screw

Personal Trekking and Climbing Gear Checklist

Rucksack and Travel Bags

A small daypack/backpack (30-40L) with good shoulder padding
Large duffel bag (80-100L)
Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
Waterproof covers

Head

Bandana or headscarf (useful for dusty conditions)
Balaclava that covers your ears
Beanie
Wide-brimmed sunhat
Neck gaiter or warmer
Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
Snow goggles and sunglasses with UV protection (carry an extra pair)
Prescription sunglasses (if required)

Upper Body

Long sleeve shirt (moisture-absorbing and breathable)
T-shirt (moisture-absorbing and breathable)
Thermal base layer of merino wool
Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
Down vest
Expedition weight insulated down jacket with hood (not required for all trekking peaks)
Gore-Tex jacket with hood (waterproof and breathable)

Hands

Lightweight poly-liner gloves or lightweight wool/fleece gloves
Summit mittens (warm insulated gloves with safety straps)

Lower Body

Non-cotton underwear briefs
Hiking shorts
Lightweight thermal leggings of merino wool
Trekking trousers (waterproof, breathable fabric)
Hardshell trousers
Synthetic insulated pants

Feet

Double insulated climbing boots
Good quality hiking boots (sturdy soles, water-resistant, ankle support, “broken-in”)
Gaiters
Crampons
Lightweight inner socks, heavy poly or wool socks, and cotton socks
Running shoes and rubber sandals/flip-flops

Sleeping

Sleeping bag (5 season, suitable for temperatures as low as -40°C)
Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad (NeoAir XTherm) for insulation and warmth in sub-freezing temperatures
Foam pad
Fleece sleeping bag liner
Pillowcase

Medical

Small, personal first-aid kit (simple and light)
Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
Skin-blister repair kit
Anti-diarrhea pills
Paracetamol
Cough and/or cold medicine
Anti-altitude sickness pills (Diamox or Acetylzolamide)
Stomach antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin, etc. - do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant)
Throat lozenges
Water purification tablets or water filter
Earplugs
Lip guard
Eye drops
Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies
Sunscreen

Practical Items

Small roll of repair tape, sewing-repair kit
Cigarette lighter/small box of matches
Compass or GPS (optional)
Alarm clock/watch
Camera with extra SD cards and batteries
Large Ziploc bags
2 water bottles (1 liter each)
Lightweight steel thermal bottle
Small folding or Swiss knife
Binoculars (optional)
4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks
Socket adapter Type C (with circular pins)
Trekking poles (foldable)

Toiletries

Medium-sized quick-drying towel
Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
Small sachets of shampoo
Deodorants
Nail clippers
Face and body moisturizer
Female hygiene products
Small mirror

Personal Hygiene

Wet wipes (baby wipes)
Tissue/toilet roll
Anti-bacterial handwash
Hand sanitizer
Pee bottle (1 liter, leak-proof, wide mouth)
Pee funnel (for female)

Extras/Luxuries

Reading book
Trail map/guide book
Journal and pen
iPod
Playing cards (to help pass time at teahouses and/or camps)
A modest swimsuit
Binoculars (optional)

Note

Sleeping bag and liner, down jacket, trekking poles, gaiters, crampons, backpack, etc. can be rented or bought in Kathmandu. Mountaineering boots of size 12 and above are very hard to find in Nepal. If you have large feet (+12 size), bring your climbing boots from home.