Everest Expedition

Equipment Checklist

Climbing gear

• Alpine climbing harness. Must have adjustable leg loops and fit over all clothing.
• 2 locking carabiners. large, pear-shaped carabiner is best, screw gate type recommended
• 3 regular carabiners. Lightweight; BD Hot wire are recommended.
• Ice axe w/leash. Lightweight (Grivel Air tech, Black Diamond Raven, or Charlet Moser Snow Walker). Under 5’7” use 60cm; 5’7”- 6’2” use 65cm; over 6’2” use 70cm.
• Plastic Mountaineering boots (Koflach Degree, Lowa Civetta, or Scarpa Alpha) or Leather Double Mountaineering boots (La Sportiva Olympic Mons, Boreal GI or equivalent; must be mountaineering/crampon compatible)
• Crampons. Must be fit to plastic boots prior to trip, new-matic type recommended; include a simple repair kit (Grivel G12, Black Diamond Contact, or Charlet Moser Super 12)
• Adjustable trekking poles.
• Belay/rappel device (Figure 8 preferred)   

Upper Body

• 2 cotton t-shirts.
• 1 polypropylene t-shirt.
• 2 long sleeve polypropylene shirts. Lightweight, light colored for sunny days.
• 2 women sports bras. Synthetic, no cotton!
• 1 Softshell. Marmot Dri-clime Wind Shirt, Patagonia Stretch Zephur or Krushell Jacket (R2 pullover acceptable).
• Down/synthetic sweater or vest. Patagonia Puffball Jacket or Sweater preferred; R4 Jacket acceptable
• Hard shell jacket with hood. Water proof and breathable. Gore-Tex or equivalent is best, roomy enough to fit over multiple layers.
• 1 expedition down Parka with Hood. This is probably your most important piece of clothing! It is important that your jacket is 700+ fill down, baffle construction (not sewn through seams) and has a thick, insulated hood

Hand Wear

• You will require two systems: one glove system for lower on the mountain and a mitten overmitt system for the cold temperatures encountered on summit day.
• 2 pairs of liner gloves. Thin wool or polypropylene.
• 1 pair of warm gloves. Fleece or wool.
• 1 pair of expedition shell gloves.
• 1 pair of modular expedition shell mitts. Or Pro Mitts. If they do not have wrist straps, consider sewing one on so that you can either attach it to your jacket or cinch the strap to your wrist so that you do not lose your mittens in high winds.

Head Gear

• Warm hat. Wool or synthetic that covers your ears.
• Balaclava
• Face mask.
• Shade hat or baseball cap.
• Glacier glasses. 100% UV protection with side shields and a hard-sided storage case (e.g. Julbo or Cebe)
• 1 pair of extra sunglasses (also with UV protection in case your 1st pair breaks).
• 1 ski goggles with UV protection
• If you require prescription glacier glasses, you can get your lenses modified to your prescription.

Lower Body

• 4 pairs of liner socks. Polypropylene or Capilene.
• 3 pairs of lightweight trekking socks.
• 2 pairs of medium-heavy wool socks. Check the boot fit with a liner and wool socks on.
• 1 pair of nylon shorts.
• 1 pair of nylon pants for trekking and around camp.
• 2 pairs of lightweight long underwear bottoms
• 1 pair fleece pants with side zipper or “puff-ball pants.”
• 1 pair of soft shell pants (e.g., Patagonia Guide pants or OR Granite Pants, Schoeller fabrics).
• 1 pair of hard shell pants. Waterproof/breathable with full side zips, Gore-Tex, or an equivalent is best.
• 1 pair of gaiters. Make sure they will fit over plastic boots (or Crocodiles or equivalent).
• 1 pair of down booties (optional).
• 1 pair trail shoes for the hike to base camp and use at camp
• 1 pair sandals or tennis shoes for Kathmandu and in camp
• All clothing should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks or large plastic bags.

Pack

• 1 lightweight internal frame pack (approx 4,000 cubic inches).
• 1 daypack is optional for the approach hike, possible use on summit day and carry-on pack. If you plan to use it for your summit pack it must be large enough for your down jacket, misc. clothes, food and water. The Lowe Alpine Neutrino or Black Diamond Speed 28 are excellent, lightweight (16 oz.) choices.
• 1 large (7,500+cu.in.) duffel bag for gear, must be durable for use on pack animals
• Small padlock for duffel bag.
• 1 small duffel bag for luggage storage in Kathmandu. We will supply complimentary duffel/kit bag for the item you buy in Kathmandu.
• Sleeping Gear
• 1 down sleeping bag rated to -10 F (Gore Dryloft or similar fabric helps protect down and dark colors speed drying time)
• Sleeping pad. Full length closed cell foam (mandatory) and/or Therma-Rest for extra warmth and comfort

Miscellaneous

• 1 first-aid kit with ibuprofen and any other doctor recommended medications.
• Lip balm. At least SPF 20, 2 sticks. A string taped to the stick is helpful to hang around your neck
• Sunscreen. At least SPF 40
• Headlamp. Petzl Myobelt 3 or Black Diamond Polar Star.
• 3 Water bottles. 1 liter wide-mouth Nalgene (1 is a pee bottle).
• Hydration bladder with drinking tube for lower mountain (optional)
• 1 water bottle insulator.
• Plastic mug w/snap-on lid, 16 oz. or larger.
• Bowl and spoon. Plastic, small Tupperware works well. Lexan spoons are best.
• Pocket knife. Small Swiss-army type.
• Water purification. Iodine tablets or Polar-pure crystals
• Toiletry kit. Be sure to include toilet paper stored in a plastic bag.
• 3–4 large plastic bags for keeping miscellaneous gear dry.
• Nylon stuff sacks. For food and gear storage (OR has a good selection); large Ziplocs are useful also.
• Bandana.
• Camp towel.
• Ear plugs.
• Hand wipes.
• 1 small stainless steel thermos (optional).
• Favorite snack foods (no more than 2 pounds).
• Paperback books, cards, Walkman, etc.
• Binoculars (optional for viewing the route from the lower camps).
• Camera. 1 light-weight point & shoot on the mountain; 1 large SLR type is optional for the trek in and base camp.
• A fanny pack or wallet for travel documents, money, and a passport.
• Passport and passport photos
• Airline ticket: Please leave your airline ticket at our office in Kathmandu because we may need to change the date of your departure from Kathmandu)

This list is only a guide. While you are required to bring everything on this list, there are numerous options, brands, and versions of each piece of equipment. Use your experience and the listed features to find the best gear for you. Some of the above equipment can be easily found in stores in Kathmandu for cheaper prices.

Please Note: Tight-fitting, figure-hugging clothing, such as those made with Lycra, can often be offensive to locals, especially women. If you find these items comfortable as a base layer, please pack something to wear on top of them.