Nepal lodge trek gear discussion

The crux of knowing what take is knowing what to expect. This trek gear list is for our Nepal lodge/teahouse treks.

Do have a look over what people are wearing in the photos of each trip too, that is a great indication of conditions and what is suitable.

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Snacks and nutrition

You will feel your best with plenty of good food, some snacks and by keeping hydrated. The lodges provide filling meals. However, inevitably you'll want some snacks for that 10am stop and midnight munchies. Since we are exercising hard for several weeks, it is worth focusing on healthy, nutritious snacks. Nuts and dried fruit are perhaps best, and better bought from home to save shopping time. At local lodge shops, there are Mars bars and similar, and the infamous coconut biscuits plus more, so if you run out of snacks, there are shops.

You are demanding a lot from your body with 4-7 hours exercise a day and I still find vitamin-packed "healthy" energy bars (and the occasional protein bar) feel good on the trail, so bring your fav from home.

We also suggest multi-vitamins. In normal life, supplements are not necessarily recommended (a waste of money, many say), however we are pushing our bodies hard and occasional multi-vitamins do mean less sickness and better recovery.

Kathmandu clothing

From April to the end of October (~summer), it is warm or hot during the day. Cool, light clothes are best.

In winter, November thru to the end of March, it is still usually warm during the day and a single layer will often do, but long pants rather than shorts. In the evenings you will want a jacket, and during late December thru to February, a light down jacket is better for eating/drinking outside.

The hotel stores luggage free of cost whatever you don't take trekking, and there are readily available laundry services. Plan a clean set of clothes for your return from the trek.

Who carries what

You carry a day pack with your phone/camera, jacket, water and snacks. The porters (or sometimes yaks/mules) carry everything else, and you pack this in a duffel/kitbag (rather than a backpack).

It is easy to bring extra gear that you think you will use but probably won't, and in the end most people get by a fairly minimal set of gear with few duplicates. When deciding on warm clothing, the principle of only what you can wear at once should apply. Take another thermal top to sleep in though. Bring the best but no excess.

Weight restrictions

For most of our treks there is no hard limit however only bring what you will use, which will likely be around 12-15kg. On most treks, two kitbags are carried by one porter.

Teahouse treks - planning

You are trekking outside with little shelter during the day and staying in mostly unheated lodges, please bear that in mind.

Basically you should plan with 4 specific climates/functions in mind:

+ Kathmandu and trekking in the hot low country

+ fine weather trekking in the cooler high country

+ difficult conditions when pass crossing/high country trekking

+ afternoons and evenings inside but with variable temperatures

Obviously, much of your gear will fulfill multiple roles, and each trek region/season is slightly different.

Everest lodge treks

The Everest region has the best lodges in the country. If flying to Lukla, we miss the low, hot country and slightly different gear is needed. It is usually sunny but cool when trekking, however, we should be minimally prepared for all types of weather. During a fine winter day, the sun is warming even if the air temperature is not. At medium altitudes, a shirt will do; higher up, a thermal top or t-shirt/sun shirt with a light top or vest are a good combination. If there is a breeze, walking in a thermal top, second layer and windproof jacket becomes practical. Trousers are standard wear, rather than shorts (although hiking shorts are OK up to Namche in the warmer months).

In the evenings the lodge dining area usually has a potbelly stove and so most dining rooms are warm, but you still need a down jacket and fleece pants or similar. Sleeping rooms are not heated.

A typical lodge room in the Everest region, spartan with beds, mattress, sheet, pillow and single light.

Kanchenjunga teahouse treks

Bring the works, it is steamy in the low country and sometimes frigid in the basic high country teahouses. Especially have plenty of warm layers and a good down jacket for hanging around.

Ha, it would be a bit dark without the holes in the roof; this is on the basic side.
Not all lodges are created equal, we are eating noodles with not too much else and note the down jackets.

Upper Mustang lodge treks

With a much narrower altitude band, 2800-4000m/9000-13,000ft, this trek escapes the extremes. It should be mostly sunny, dry and occasionally dusty, especially the first few afternoons. Occasionally during June through September it can also be cloudy, possibly thick cloud with drizzle. Evenings can still be a little chilly in the large lodge dining rooms as most do not have potbelly stoves.

A nice Upper Mustang lodge, but note Celesta's clothing in late September: travel shirt, light insulated jacket, and Gore-tex plus a beanie.

What is available in Kathmandu?

Virtually all trekking gear is available in Kathmandu and we are happy to show you the better shops. Tridevi Marg is a street with mostly top notch imported gear, Mountain Hardwear, The North Face, Outdoor Research, Marmot, Black Diamond climbing gear plus head torches and others.

Locally made gear is much cheaper and must be tried on carefully and checked carefully for quality, but on the whole it is OK.

You can buy the majority of your gear in Kathmandu but do allow time for this.

Namche in the Everest region also has some good outdoor shops and I have succumbed to temptation there!

Gear discussion

Kitbag (duffel / duffle bag)

This is carried by porters/mules and must be a simple design without wheels or frame. You can buy cheapie kitbags in Kathmandu although they are not as tough as say the popular North Face Base Camp Duffel XL or my favorite Patagonia Black Hole duffel. A loosely packed 120L capacity is mostly best however 90L might do if you are a compact packer.

Sleeping bag

Down-filled bags are best, and women generally need a warmer bag than men.

Everest region: there are relatively clean quilts that can cover a thinner sleeping bag, so you can get away with a three season bag but if you have a 4 season bag, definitely bring.

Kanchenjunga region: the high country is COLD in November, bring a 4 season sleeping bag with a T-comfort rating of -6C/20F or so (the warmest rating number). It will not be that cold however there is less oxygen so you feel colder, and sleeping toasty is one of the keys to good recovery. You can top up with a fleece/thermal liner (readily available in Kathmandu). An alternative is to combine two less warm bags. Many lodges have spare blanketsquilts/duvets, but often not so clean, and if the lodge is full, these are all taken for the guides and porters.

Upper Mustang: while still relatively moderate in altitude, nights can still be cool. Local quilts are available to top up your own sleeping bag so the rating is far less important.

Sleeping bag liner

Cotton, silk, thermal or fleece. Saves washing your sleeping bag and adds warmth and comfort.

Blow up pillow

All lodges provide a pillow however few are "just right" so bringing a blow up pillow is a minor but often appreciated luxury.

Ear plugs

Essential for snoring room mates and creaking floors.

Daypack

This should be comfortable and a good waist band that transfers some of the weight to the hips is most important. It needs to be big enough to take a jacket, fleece, water, camera/phone/powerbank and odds and ends. Tidy packers can get away with smaller 24-30 litre pack however mostly a 35-45 litre pack is more practical.

Boots

For a happy trek you need comfortable feet. For most people, good, relatively light boots will be best however if you hike in trail shoes, they will work, assuming there isn't an unexpected large dump of snow.

Good boots have good ankle support, plenty of toe room for long descents, a slightly stiff sole to lessen twisting torsion, and are light because with every step you lift your boot up.

Gore-tex boots have an inner liner that help with warmth but your feet tend to sweat more in the warmer low country. You don't necessarily need Gore-tex boots. Good lightweight trekking boots or light all leather boots are best and must be lightly worn in before trekking including some steep hills to show up trouble spots.

Socks

In the low country your feet will be warm or even hot while walking so quality cotton mix sports socks can work well, or light hiking socks. Two to four pairs are enough. Medium/thick trekking socks are better for higher up and cool evenings, another two to four pairs. Modern trekking boots fit snugly so wearing two pairs of socks at the same time is impractical. Socks with a high natural fibre content, either wool or cotton, are usually more comfortable and less smelly than mainly synthenic socks.

Camp shoes/crocs/flip-flops

Luxury and convenience for your feet at the end of the day around the lodge and perhaps in the shower. Crocs or similar are the best all round, being so light, and combine with socks once high up. Or if you are worried about your boots, then bring trail/trail running shoes to double as spare trek shoes instead.

Fleece / softshell jacket

Most trekkers consider this essential for the daypack, but alternatives are a thick thermal top or a light primaloft or light down jacket.

Down jacket

Essential evening wear, a light or mid weight down jacket with hood can also go in your daypack up high. A down jacket is the best option, although Primaloft is OK for less cold treks.

Wind/rain jacket

Waterproof and breathable. Gore-tex or similar jackets are recommended for treks over passes or climbing trips. Plastic ponchos or non-breathable raincoats are not suitable.

Thermal shirts/underwear

Good thermals, both tops and bottoms, are one of the secrets to cold weather trekking comfort. A mid-weight top (zip-T style) is great for high country day wear. Lighter thermal tops, eg merino wool tops, are still useful in the low country and an expedition-weight thermal top is a good warm but light system for the real cold.

Nightwear thermals

If you are not sure if your sleeping bag is warm enough, or if you get up frequently, a light or mid weight thermal is perfect.

Fleece/sweatpants

Great for the chilly evenings, thicker is better (except for when the stoves in the teahouses really heat up!). A thermal layer under your trek pants will work for some less cold treks instead.

Day-wear shirt

T-shirts are the standby, or sun shirt-style with long sleeves and made of technical synthetics, light merino wool or the less versatile cotton. A travel shirt is looser than a t-shirt and therefore harder to layer however the collar protects the back of your neck and the sleeves can be rolled up or down. Bring at least two so you can swap damp for dry.

Trekking pants

You will live in these. Light material, loose and medium-coloured is best. You can survive with only one pair, although two is better, and if heading high, a slightly thicker soft shell as your second pair is really useful.

Wind pants

If you have softshell trekking pants then special wind pants are not needed. If you do bring a pair, it is not necessary to have Gore-tex and non-waterproof is quite OK as you won't wear often.

Underwear

4+ pairs.

Beanie/warm hat/balaclava

Essential for the evenings and useful for cold trekking days.

Buff/neck gaiter

A basic buff is versatile and complements a beanie.

Trekking poles

Definitely useful, especially on steep, rough terrain, and we do recommend bringing however, if you are not used to using them, you can survive without however still one pole is useful for easing long descents.

Sunglasses

Bring good wraparound glasses suitable for snow, its bright up there even without snow. Specialized glacier glasses with side pieces are not needed, although if you have, do bring. Contact lens wearers report very few problems except cleaning them in the conditions.

Gloves

A good pair of wind-proof gloves is essential, even if only for pass crossings. Windbloc fleece is enough, rather than fully insulated gloves, unless you really feel the cold.

Water bottle

This should be one liter or more in capacity, take boiling water and be leak-proof. Wide mouth Nalgene bottles are best however European-style aluminum bottles are adequate. You need a minimum of 2 water bottles, or at least 1 water bottle in addition to a Camelback or hydration system.

Pee bottle

Very useful on cold high country nights! You can buy a cheap one in Kathmandu.

Headtorch

Most lodges have a light in the room however bring a head torch as well, which is more reliable than a mobile phone.

Toiletries and odds & ends

Essentials for the month only. The smallest tube of toothpaste available in Kathmandu is perfect for a month. Teahouse trekking, there are a surprising number of showers or buckets of hot water available. Start with one or two rolls of toilet paper, and you can buy more in lodges. Deodorant can spare you grief with your room mate...

Towel

You will take showers so bring a medium-sized camp towel, sarong or simply a hand towel. The Kathmandu hotel supplies towels.

Sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen

At altitude the sun is strong, especially after snow. Bring sunscreen (high factor protection) AND lip balm WITH SPF 15, and better still SPF 30+.

Sun hat

A technical running cap is ideal. A wide-brim sun hat is also good, giving added neck protection.

First aid kit

The guide carries a medical kit with Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, decongestants, lozenges, various antibiotics for Nepalese varieties of diarrhoea and chests infections, Diamox (an acclimatizing aid drug), emergency alitude drugs, antiseptic, antihistamine cream, oral rehydration and band-aids.

You should bring any personal medicines that you need, and if you have had blisters in the past, a good blister kit.

Water purification

The guide brings a water filter however feel free to bring your own or a Steripen.

Phone / Camera

Bring a good powerbank or extra batteries. Nepal is photogenic and there are no security worries about carrying a good system.

Books

Bring one or two and Thamel has some good book shops. Kindles work well for trekking too.

Money belt/travel pouch

Most people find wearing one while trekking is a hassle and keep it buried in their daypack.

Snow gaiters

Not needed but if you have them, consider bringing them if going above 4000m.

Crampons and ice axe

Not needed for trekking - trekking is walking, not climbing. However, microspikes/instep crampons are a good addition for possible snowy pass crossings. 

Renting equipment

Easy to rent items in Kathmandu are thick down jackets and sleeping bags. Bringing you own thinner down jacket is probably better though.

The crew find a warm spot in the kitchen