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Saturday, 03 September 2005 |
| [ ] | Base layer
2 quality thermal tops of man-made fibres with good "wicking" properties (e.g. Patagonia midweight Capilene). Long sleeves and zip polo necks recommended. Also one pair thermal longjohns. | | [ ] | Climbing Salopettes or Trousers
Fibre pile or fleece. | | [ ] | Down Duvet Jacket
Rab Denali Jacket recommended. | | [ ] | Fleece Jacket
One thick full-weight fleece (polartec 200-300). E.g. Mountain Hardwear Windstopper jacket or Patagonia R3 radient jacket. | | [ ] | Fleece Shirt
Continuing the wicking layer principle, take a mid-weight fleece shirt. The Mountain Hardwear Tempest SL Jacket is a good layer as it is also windproof. | | [ ] | Weatherproof Jacket/Shell
A robust waterproof and windproof outer shell. Make sure the jacket has an adequate "roomy" hood and ventilation zips. Must be breathable, in Gore-Tex or Triple Point. E.g. Mountain Hardwear FTX Mithril Parka or similar. | | [ ] | Weatherproof Salopettes or Trousers
Waterproof, windproof trousers preferably with braces and long leg zips for ease of fitting over boots (and crampons). Must be breathable, in Gore-Tex or Triple Point. E.g. Mountain Hardwear FTX Ultra Pant or similar. | | [ ] | Warm Hat
One heavyweight fleece (Polartec 200) hat with a windproof membrane. Make sure that any hat can cover the ears and the back of the head and neck. Mountain Hardwear Dome Perignon recommended. | | [ ] | Thermal Balaclava
One lightweight, silk or synthetic fabric. | | [ ] | Mountaineering Mitts
Robust and warm with a breathable outer and fleece or fibre pile inner. Terra Nova Mountain Modular Mitts are recommended. | | [ ] | Insulated gloves
Mitts are probably warmer than gloves but they make using hands more awkward. Gloves should have a weatherproof breathable outer, a reinforced palm and a removable fleece liner such as Patagonia Nitro Gloves. Alternatively, a combination of e.g. Mountain Hardwear Altitude Glove with a Powerstretch Glove as liners work well. You must ensure that the gloves are big, with plenty of extra room around each finger - snug fitting gloves will be cold. |
| [ ] | Finger gloves
2 pair synthetic contact gloves. Terra Nova Thicky Stickies recommended. | | [ ] | Sun hat
Peaked cap or wide brimmed hat. | | [ ] | Scarf
For sun protection and snow proofing the neck. Silk or cotton. | | [ ] | Socks
3 sets. A set is what you normally wear with your boots, ideally one thin pair and one thick, loop-stitch pair. | | [ ] | Walking boots
Comfortable, lightweight walking boots for the walk-in. 3 or 4-season leather recommended. | | [ ] | Double Plastic Mountaineering boots
Necessary for snow/ice sections and for the cold temperatures. Make sure that they fit comfortably with socks as above and that they are warm. Scarpa Vega recommended. | | [ ] | Snow Gaiters
"Yeti" gaiters are ideal as they cover the whole boot, but they are heavy. Good quality Alpine gaiters need to be large enough and stretch sufficiently to go over the cuff of your plastic mountaineering boots. Mountain Hardwear Ventigaiters are highly recommended. | | [ ] | Glacier glasses or Mountaineering sunglasses
One pair with perhaps a spare lightweight pair in case of loss or damage. Full UV protection. | | [ ] | Snow/Ski goggles
For use in bad weather. Should have vent holes to prevent misting up. Make sure that the vents are covered with thin nylon gauze to prevent spindrift entering.
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| [ ] | Ice Axe*
50 - 65 cms. General Mountaineering or Alpine Pick. E.g. Mountain Technology Mountain Axe or DMM Raptor Alpine Axe | | [ ] | Crampons*
12 point. One pair that fit boots reliably. Clip-on crampons are recommended. E.g. Grivel G12, Charlet Moser S12, DMM Aiguille. Ensure that you bring any relevant adjusting tools. | | [ ] | Anti-Balling Plates*
You must fix anti-balling plates to your crampons. | | [ ] | Harness*
Sit harness with adjustable leg loops and large enough to be worn over all clothing layers. Black Diamond Alpine Bod recommended. | | [ ] | Climbing helmet*
Petzl Elios or Black Diamond Half Dome recommended | | [ ] | Sling
Two long (120cm) sewn slings. Wild Country Dyneema recommended. | | [ ] | Karabiners
Two screwgate karabiners (e.g. Wild Country Titan). | | [ ] | Prussic loops
2 Prussic loops made from approx 3 metres of 6mm accessory cord (1½ metres each loop but cut to less for shorter loops as required). |
| [ ] | Trekking Poles
These are an optional extra but do make life easier for most of us. E.g. Gipron 733 Tracks Trekking Pole. | | [ ] | Climbing rucksack
Suitable for carrying all your spare cloths and sleeping bag on the climb to high camp. It should have crampon and ice axe storage. Strong and comfortable with internal frame, but not too heavy or complicated. 45 - 55 Litres preferably. E.g. Macpac Pursuit, Osprey Aether or Crux AK50. | | [ ] | Rucksack liner and plastic bags
In case of the lingering monsoon (in Nepal) or plain bad weather. Unfortunately rucksacks and kit bags are not waterproof, so you should wrap all clothing and equipment in waterproof plastic bags. Better, but more expensive, are rubberised "dry-bags" such as those made by Ortlieb. You must remain vigilant at all times in order to keep your clothing and equipment as dry as possible. | | [ ] | Sleeping bag
Good quality down bag 4/5 season e.g. Rab Ladakh 1000 or Summit 1000. A separate Gore-Tex bivi bag can be used for waterproofing and additional insulation. A compression stuff-sack may be useful. | | [ ] | Plastic lunch box
For sandwiches, chocolate bar etc. | | [ ] | Sleeping Mat
A "Therm-a-Rest" (plus repair kit) is perfect and very comfortable - make sure it is full length as the ¾ length versions make for cold feet and a less comfortable night's rest. A "Karrimat" or similar closed cell foam mat is a suitable but less comfortable alternative. | | [ ] | Water bottle
Enough to carry 2 litres. Strong and watertight. A 1 lt. Nalgene bottle is ideal combined with a good plastic bottle. "Platypus" style drinking bags are fine for the trek but are not recommend overall as they are prone to freezing, especially the drinking tubes. | | [ ] | Pee bottle
To make life a lot easier during cold nights. Nalgene 1 litre bottle with wide neck recommended for men. Plastic measuring jug or Tupperware box recommended for women. | | [ ] | Penknife
Swiss Army knives or "Leatherman" tools are particularly useful. | | [ ] | Head torch/lamp
Bring spare bulbs and 4 sets of batteries (more if you are relying on small AA style batteries - each set should last in excess of 6 hours). Petzl Zoom recommended. The greater the battery capacity the fewer times it will need to be changed on summit day. By using a Petzl Zoom and a "flat" battery, it is likely that one battery will last through the early hours and until dawn. A set comprising of 2 or 3 smaller batteries, such as AA's, will require changing during the ascent and should be avoided. | | [ ] | Sun screen
Take a high factor, and apply it frequently. | | [ ] | Lip block
2 sticks - with regular application you should be able to keep you lips kissable to the end, especially in readiness for the return home. | | [ ] | Water purification tablets
Approx 20 iodine based water purification tablets as a standby - readily available from chemists or high street adventure shops. | | [ ] | 'Wet wipes'
Useful for keeping clean when soap and water is not readily available. | | [ ] | Foot powder
Important for keeping feet in good condition. | | [ ] | Insect repellent
One small bottle. | | [ ] | Stuff sacks
Useful for storing clothing etc. | | [ ] | Camera and lenses
Protective bag essential. Bring spare batteries. | | [ ] | Camera film
Do not underestimate your requirements. Slow film such as Fuji Velvia (50) and Provia (100) is recommended for bright, snowy conditions. Faster (400) film may be needed for indoor shots. Lens tissues and /or brush. | | [ ] | Toiletries
As required. Small mirror useful. | | [ ] | Travel towel
A lightweight quick drying towel, that packs up small. | | [ ] | Travel wash
Enables you to launder yesterday's clothes, ready for tomorrow. | | [ ] | A book
Suitable for passing around the team. | | [ ] | Passport
| | [ ] | Cash and Traveller's cheques
| | [ ] | Credit cards
| | [ ] | Address book
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| [ ] | Crampons
Spare parts and adjusting tools for your crampons. | | [ ] | Sewing kit
Needles, nylon thread, canvas and rip stop patches, etc. | | [ ] | Therm-a-rest
For the day your tent partner is walks around the tent with crampons on - some patches for your inflatable mattress are useful. | | [ ] | Misc
10m of 2mm cord, several short straps (350mm).
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| [ ] | Painkillers
Paracetamol, Bruffen, Aspirin. | | [ ] | Antibiotics
Two course as prescribed by your own GP. One for chest and upper respiratory tract infections and one for abdominal, bowel infections. | | [ ] | Cough lozenges
Lockets and Strepsils are good. | | [ ] | Wound dressing
One. | | [ ] | Plasters
Assorted. | | [ ] | Rehydration powder
Dioralyte, Gastrolite or similar. Six sachets. | | [ ] | Antiseptic cream
One small tube. | | [ ] | Diarrhoea treatment.
Immodium, Arret or Lomotil recommended. |
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