I checked our expedition kit list a million times, deciding what to pack or not to pack – like how many protein bars do i actually need? I’m sure I can squeeze another toilet roll in? How many pairs of socks?
I googled blog posts, and was met with helpful tips and information from those that had done the trek before, or knew someone that had. My sister also made a great list that a copied, naturally.
Given this was our first time trekking of any nature – our three hour preparation walks at Ashton Court didn’t count, we sure didn’t start off on an easy one! Had to remember that we were doing this for charity.
Knowing we had to carry our rucksack during the day (and it couldn’t be no more than 10kg for the internal flights from Kathmandu to Lukla) and our holdall couldn’t be anymore than 12kg during the trip as these were going to be carried by Yaks each day, this is most of what I included in my kit bag. I’ve also included some useful tips too.
General
- Kit bag (if provided by company) or a soft duffle bag
- Backpack – 25-35 litre capacity, preferably with a rain cover and hip belt.
- Dry bags – for wet / dirty items from the trek, and any leaky bottles.
- Sleeping bag – 4 season (it gets cold!) – I rented mine through the company.
- Head torch – trust me, sounds trivial but these are handy for the early starts, blackouts and dim lighting. Also great if sharing a room and wanting to read your book!
- Trekking Poles – I used mine, especially during the snow and ice, and walking up hills and steps.
- Charger pack
- Travel games / cards and books
- Sleeping bag liner
Head and hands
- Sun hat / baseball cap
- UV blocking sunglasses
- Scarf / Buff – I literally lived in my Buff. Kept my neck warm, stops you breathing in the dust and the awful smell of Yak /Donkey urine and pooh! I forgot my scarf but would definitely suggest you take one.
- Warm hat / balaclava – wore mine to bed on the colder nights.
- Warm gloves
Legs and Feet
- Trekking boots – Gore-Tex and well worn.
- Walking socks – Merino wool – I took 6 pairs and bought them on eBay.
- Thermal Bottoms – leggings or long johns (x2 pairs).
- Trekking trousers & shorts – light / mid weight.
- Waterproof over trousers
- Warm comfortable trousers (for evenings) – I took jogging bottoms.
- Trainers or sandals (for evenings)
Upper Body
- Down coat with hood – 3/4 season medium weight – rented with the sleeping for £53.
- Wind and waterproof jacket – found one on amazon for £26.99.
- T-shirts / shirts – quick drying short sleeved tops are recommended, however I took x2 cotton T-shirts and a vest top.
- Thermal base layers – long sleeved synthetic or merino wool.
- Warm mid layer / fleece – got a Regatta Fleece from ‘The Range’ for £6.99 and basically lived in it!
Hygiene, Food and Toiletries
- Water bottles – 1/2 Litre plastic or metal drinking bottles e.g Nalgene – I would strongly advise you to take a metal drinking metal as this doubles up as a hot water bottle for the colder nights / warms up your sleeping bag! Water bladders are also good as your focus on climbing can prevent you from drinking as much as you should (i was guilty of this) and a water bladder is easier to use and more convenient as the straw is by your mouth.
- Sun cream (SPF 50) – especially for your face and neck if you wear your hair up.
- Moisturising Lip balm with UVF
- Travel towels – quick drying – I took a small and a large – both purchased from Sports Direct.
- Toilet rolls and tissues – I tool 3 and my sister took 2 toilet rolls, plus plenty of packs of tissues to pop in your pocket for the day.
- Personal first aid kit – grab it in the Poundshop. I spent £5 on eBay! All guides have a first aid kit too.
- Wet wipes – 1 pack of Baby Wipes was more than enough.
- Hand sanitiser – you’ll use this more than you think!
- Deodorant
- Biodegradable soap
- Biodegradable shampoo and conditioner
- Water purification tablets or Steripen
- Snack bars / protein bars / chocolate / Nuts
- Nutella – for your porridge and toast – if your like my sister, you’ll eat it straight from the jar! lol
- Throat sweets – the higher you climb the dryer the air, so helps sooth a dry throat / cough.
- Ear plugs – the walls in the tea houses are THIN!
- Tampons etc – altitude can mess with your menstrual cycle so better to be safe than sorry.
- Rehydration tablets – had one of these each evening.
- Safety pin – for popping blisters. Gross thought but handy.
- Sandwich bags – great for leaky bottles and cutting your snacks up – higher you get the colder and harder your bars will be.
- Blister plasters
- Mosquito repellant – for the warmer days at the beginning and end of the trek and for your time in Kathmandu
- Berrocca – great for a vitamin boost and helps with the taste of the water after sterilisation.
- Canesten – lots of walking, limited showers and different temperatures – you get the drift!
- Biodegradable Nappy bags for loo roll disposal if you have a ‘nature’ wee.
- Handwarmers – another simple way to keep hands warm during the day, and feet warm at night by throwing them in your sleeping bag.
- Ibuprofen / Paraceptomol – altitude can cause horrible headaches.
- Hairbrush etc
- Any other personal tolietries / medication you use
Came across this helpful blog when i was preparing for the trip: https://www.twowanderingsoles.com/blog/complete-everest-base-camp-packing-list#Essential-Travel-Item-for-Everest-Base-Camp=
Happy trekking, stay safe and have an amazing journey from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp! Good Luck.
theclumsywanderer 