Packing list

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.

boots

  • trekking boots + trail runners
  • spare laces
  • flip-flops / sandals / down booties for lodges
  • microspikes

clothes

  • down jacket
  • rain jacket
  • soft shell jacket (kurcak)
  • medium fleece jacket (psp kwark) (+?)
  • t-shirts / (merino) base layers (s/s + l/s) (preferably l/s) - 3
  • trekking trousers - 2 pairs (light + midweight)
  • thermal tights (for sleeping/IP)
  • mid-heavy trekking socks (2 pairs) + (2 liners ?) + normal wool socks (leave in KTM)
  • trekking quick dry underwear - 3 pairs
  • wide brimmed sun hat / thermal beanie (in KTM) / buff
  • silk + thinsulate gloves + mittens (IP)

gear

  • duffel bag (for porter)
  • daypack (20-30l)
  • down sleeping bags + compression sacks (rent in KTM - Hi-Himal Sports Wear International)
  • sleeping bag liners
  • trekking poles
  • camera/gopro/batteries
  • charger + powerbank
  • passport, wallet, passes, flight tickets, insurance documents
  • water bottle (2 pp)
  • steripen/water purifying tablets (chlorine dioxide)
  • compass
  • whistle
  • space blanket/bothy
  • head torch (USB-charged/spare batteries)
  • sunglasses cat 3
  • swiss army knife
  • small combination padlock (x2 - hotel left luggage + duffel/hut rooms)
  • eye mask + ear plugs
  • waterproof ziplock bag (for documents)

meds

  • Diamox (buy in KTM - $1.45 for a 15-pack of 250mg)
  • Nurofen/Ibuprofen/Paracetamol/Advil
  • stoppers/goers - Imodium/Arret (diarrhoea pills) (better Pepto + Cipro?)
    • rehydration mixture/electrolyte powder (KTM) (Gatorade powder?)
  • charcoal tablets? (available in France)
  • Pepto Bismol? (chewable tablets) (2 tabs twice a day, for up to 3 weeks)
  • multivitamins
  • throat lozenges (for dry air/Khumbu cough)
  • antibiotics for stomach (KTM)
    • Ciprofloxacin (diarrhea/gastro infections - broad-spectrum antibiotic) (torn tendons - better Azithromycin?) If you are traveling to Thailand or Nepal, cipro is no longer considered effective against bacterial travelers' diarrhea. Azithromycin or Levoquin are now the recommended antibiotics for these areas, as per the cdc. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/health/topics/best-treatment-for-travelers-diarrhea
    • Tinidazole (giardia) (2000 mg once = 4 x 500 mg)
    • Amoxicillin (any general problems) ?
  • sunscreen, lip balm
  • first aid kit
    • antiblister (moleskin), bandage, plasters, wound dressings
    • scissors, tweezers, safety pins

hygiene

  • antiseptic hand-wash (cream/gel) (no washing at higher elevations, as water gets frozen overnight)
  • toilet paper (2 rolls pp) (can be bought at all tea houses, but expensive)
  • wet wipes (2-3 pp pd) (antibacterial)
  • trekking quick dry towel
  • washing kit – soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, sponge, face flannel
  • washing powder (small packet) ?
  • baby powder (chaffing, shoes/clothing odors, dry shampoo)
  • nail clipper
  • deodorant
  • tampons (without applicators) / menstrual cup

food

  • dry food/snacks/energy & protein powder/bars (smoked sausages, beef jerky)
  • trail mix (divide into re-sealable bags for each day of trekking)
  • granola bars
  • protein powder/bars (unavailable in KTM)
  • snickers/chocolate (SUPER expensive in KTM)
  • instant coffee mix or tea bags (only have to pay for hot water)

misc

  • 4 passport photos (1 for visa, 2 for tims, 1 for national park + 1 for sim) - easily in KTM
  • map + preloaded phone map
  • guide book
  • book / kindle
  • notebook + pen
  • pack of cards

extras

  • nylon strap, small bit of paracord, small roll of duct tape, zip ties
  • drysack / trash bags
  • solar charger
  • pee bottle

reading