Climbing Gears List

In Nepal, where climbing some of the world’s highest and most challenging mountains is popular, having the right gear is crucial. The terrain can be harsh, with steep cliffs, icy slopes, and unpredictable weather. Gear like ropes, helmets, and harnesses keep climbers safe from falls, avalanches, and other dangers. Without the right equipment, it’s much riskier and harder to explore Nepal’s challenging mountains safely.

Good climbing gear also makes the climb in Nepal more enjoyable. Proper boots, gloves, and clothes help climbers stay warm and comfortable in cold, high-altitude areas. Special gear like ice axes and crampons makes it easier to climb on icy surfaces. This lets climbers focus on the amazing views and the excitement of the climb instead of worrying about safety and comfort. 

Essential Personal Climbing Gear

• Alpine Climbing Harness: This harness should be lightweight, simple to use, and easy to put on or take off with gloves. It should also have secure locking features.
• Crampons: Make sure crampons fit your boots well. They should be made of steel, have anti-balling features, and grip ice securely.
• Ice Axe: Choose a lightweight, versatile ice axe that’s good for general climbing without being too aggressive. 
• Ascender: This device helps you climb up a rope and should be easy to use with gloves or mittens.
• Multi-LED Headlamp: Use a multi-LED headlamp with spare batteries. Avoid single-bulb lights because they are less reliable. 
• Carabiners: Bring at least two locking carabiners (one large and one small) and four regular carabiners.
• Rappel Device: A Figure 8, ACT, or similar device is needed. Learn the Munter Hitch as a backup if you lose your rappel device. 
• Ski Poles: Adjustable ski poles are useful for the approach and are recommended.
• Slings: Carry one 3m (10ft) sling and three 2 m (6ft) slings.
• Masks, Hoses, and Regulators: Use high-quality items for your safety.
• Altimeter: An altimeter helps you keep track of your altitude.
• Climbing Helmet: A climbing helmet is crucial for safety, especially when climbing near rocks or ice cliffs. It should be lightweight. 

Clothing

Upper Body

• One lightweight T-shirt.
• Two long-sleeve shirts.
• One medium-weight polar fleece pullover.
• One polar fleece jacket.
• One Gore-Tex waterproof jacket with a large hood for your climbing helmet.
• One lightweight jacket for chilly base camp days or short breaks.
• One very warm goose-down jacket with a hood or a down suit for high altitude. 

Note: Keep your clothing dry using waterproof stuff sacks, bin liners, or large plastic bags.

Hands

• One pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves (for tying, not inside mitts)
• One pair of mittens with a Gore-Tex outer layer and a warm polar fleece liner

Heads

• Warm hat (wool or synthetic) that covers your ears
• Face mask
• Balaclava
• Ball cap or sun cap
• Scarf or neck sleeve
• Glacier sunglasses with side shields
• Ski goggles (optional, with light and dark lenses)
• Bandana or head scarf (useful for dusty conditions)

Lower Body 

• Underwear briefs
• One pair of walking shorts
• One pair of walking trousers for trekking and camp
• Two pairs of lightweight 200 thermal bottoms
• One pair of polar fleece trousers
• One pair of Gore-Tex trousers or bibs (Waterproof/breathable with full side zips)
• One pair of goose-down trousers or bibs

Note: Keep your clothing dry using waterproof stuff sacks, bin liners, or large plastic bags.

Feet

• One pair of One-Sport Millet Everest Overboots or similar (with Aveolite liners; good quality plastic shells with inner boots; avoid tight fits with heavy socks)
• One pair of sturdy leather or synthetic (Gore-Tex) hiking boots with good ankle support
• One pair of down booties (optional)
• One pair of cross-trainers, running shoes, or sandals for Kathmandu and camp
• Two pairs of medium-heavy poly or wool socks
• Two pairs of liner socks (polypropylene or wool)
• Vapour barrier liner socks or plastic bread-bags
• Two pairs of lightweight trekking socks, poly or wool
• Light wool or cotton socks for town

Travel and Sleeping Gear

Rucksacks and Travel Bags

• One medium rucksack (50-70 liters, suitable for airplane carry)
• Two large duffle kit bags (120 liters) for clothes and gear. 
• Small padlocks for the duffle bags

Sleeping Gear

• For high altitudes, one down sleeping bag rated to -35 degrees Celsius. In high camp, you can sleep in your down clothing inside the bag.
• For base camp, one additional sleeping bag rated to -20 degrees Celsius.
• At least 3 closed cell foam mats for base camp and high altitude. You can buy these cheaply in Kathmandu. Inflatable mats are not recommended due to a high risk of punctures. 

Note: keep your sleeping bags dry using waterproof bags and liners.

Medical

Personal Hygiene

• Personal hygiene supplies
• Two tubes of lip sun cream and one large tube of skin sun cream (minimum SPF 30)
• Hand wipes
• Toothpaste and brush 
• Anti-mosquito cream
• One bar of soap or hand sanitizer and a small synthetic towel

Medical Supplies

• Small personal first-aid kit (simple and light): Aspirin, first-aid tape, band-aids, personal medications, etc. Leaders will have extensive first-aid kits.
• Personal prescription medications. Inform of any medical issues before the climb.
• Do not bring sleeping pills as they are not suitable for high altitudes
• Skin blister repair kit
• Earplugs
• Anti-diarrhea pills (Imodium)
• Anti-headache pills
• Cough and/or cold medicine
• One course of antibiotics for stomach infection (available locally without a prescription)
• One course of antibiotics for a chest infection (available locally without a prescription)
• Anti-altitude sickness pills (Diamox, Acetylzolamide).
• Water purification tablets or a water filter
• Extra prescription glasses or contact lenses. Contact lens wearers should bring glasses in case of emergency. 

Miscellaneous Practical Items

• 1 small roll of repair tape
• 1 sewing repair kit
• 1 battery-powered alarm clock/watch
• 1 cigarette lighter
• 1 small box of matches
• 1 compass or GPS
• 1 digital camera with extra memory cards and batteries
• Nylon stuff sacks or large Ziploc bags for food or gear
• 3 wide-mouth 1-litre water bottles (one for emergency use)
• 1 small folding knife
• 1 plastic cup and spoon
• Binoculars (optional)
• 4 larger, waterproof trash bags
• Passport, 2 extra passport photos, flight ticket  and itinerary
• Photocopies of passport, visa pages, and proof of insurance
• Cash (dollars, pounds, or euros) for Nepalese visa purchase at Kathmandu airport
• Credit cards, bank/ATM cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy), and traveler’s checks
• 1 bathing suit (just in case)
• Entertainment for base camps, like books, playing cards, an MP3 player, short-wave radio, game console, musical instruments, ear plugs, and extra batteries
• Travel clothes for basecamp and town
• Remember to bring patience and a positive attitude. Traveling in this region may differ from what you’re used to, but things usually work out in the end.

Fitness Requirement

You need to be in excellent physical shape to climb Everest or any other peak. Start basic fitness training at least 1 month in advance, focusing mainly on cardiovascular exercises if you’re an amateur athlete. This training helps your heart and lungs work better so they can provide enough oxygen to your muscles and brain even when there’s less oxygen at high altitudes. How well you adjust to high altitudes depends on your cardiovascular fitness and how your body adapts. No matter how fit they are at sea level, some people might still struggle above 8,000 meters, but being fit generally helps. 

Altitude Hazards and Complications

As you climb higher, the amount of oxygen in the air decreases. Your body needs a balance between the oxygen pressure inside your lungs and outside in the air. At around 9,000 meters, the outside pressure is so low that you can’t absorb oxygen effectively, even though the amount of oxygen in the air is the same. Our bodies are designed for a sea level, but they can adopt high altitudes with proper training and time, known as acclimatization. 

Low oxygen levels can cause Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), which is treatable but can lead to more serious conditions like High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). Low oxygen can also lead to problems with body temperature regulation, causing frostbite and hypothermia.