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.
Table of Contents
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.
Seasonal Temperature Chart
A seasonal temperature chart for Nepal to help you pack for your peak climbing adventure. The listed temperatures are in Celsius.
Altitude | Spring (Mar-May) | Autumn (Sep-Nov) | Winter (Dec-Feb) |
---|---|---|---|
Max. | Min. | Max. | |
1000m | 37 | 10 | 35 |
1500m | 33 | 9 | 34 |
2000m | 28 | 5 | 28 |
2500m | 25 | 2 | 25 |
3000m | 22 | 1 | 20 |
3500m | 18 | 0 | 18 |
4000m | 17 | -2 | 12 |
4500m | 16 | -4 | 11 |
5000m | 14 | -6 | 10 |
5500m | -4 | -20 | -5 |
6000m | -7 | -23 | -8 |
6500m | -12 | -27 | -12 |