Ganesh Himal -IV Expedition

Equipment Checklist

Climbing gear

• Alpine climbing harness. Must have adjustable leg loops and fit over all clothing.
• Two locking carabiners. large, pear-shaped carabiner is best, screw gate type recommended
• Three regular carabiners. Lightweight; BD Hot wire are recommended.
• Ice axe w/leash. Light weight (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

• Two cotton t-shirts.
• One polypropylene t-shirt.
• Two long-sleeve polypropylene shirts. Lightweight, light colored for sunny days.
• Two women sport bras. Synthetic, no cotton!
• One 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. Waterproof 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.Two pairs of liner gloves. Thin wool or polypropylene.
•  One pair of warm gloves. Fleece or wool.
• One pair expedition shell gloves.
• One 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 pair of ski goggles with UV protection
• If you require prescription glacier glasses, you can get your lenses modified to your prescription.

Lower Body

• Four pairs of liner socks. Polypropylene or Capilene.
• Three pairs of lightweight trekking socks.
• Two pairs of medium-heavy wool socks. Check the boot fit with a liner and wool socks on.
• One pair of nylon shorts.
• One pair of nylon pants for trekking and around camp.
• Two pairs lightweight long underwear bottoms
• One pair fleece pants with side zipper or “puff-ball pants”
• One pair of soft shell pants (e.g., Patagonia Guide pants or OR Granite Pants. Schoeller fabrics).
• One pair of hard shell pants. Waterproof/breathable with full side zips,Gore-Tex or equivalent is best.
• One pair of gaiters. Make sure they will fit over plastic boots (OR Crocodiles or equivalent).
• One pair of down booties (optional).
• One pair trail shoes for the hike to base camp and use at camp
• One 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

• One lightweight internal frame pack (approximately 4,000 cubic inches).
• One 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.
• One large (7,500+cu.in.) duffel bag for gear, must be durable for use on pack animals
• A small padlock for duffel bag.
• One small duffel bag for luggage storage in Kathmandu. We will supply complimentary duffel/kit bag for the item you buy in Kathmandu.
• Sleeping Gear
• One down sleeping bag rated to -10 F (Gore Dryloft or similar fabric helps protect downand dark colors speed drying time)
• Sleeping pad. Full-length closed cell foam (mandatory) and/or Therma-Rest for extra warmth and comfort

Miscellaneous

• One 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 helpfulto hang around your neck
• Sunscreen. At least SPF 40
• Headlamp. Petzl Myobelt 3 or Black Diamond Polar Star.
• Three water bottles. 1 liter wide-mouth Nalgene (1 is a pee bottle).
• Hydration bladder with drinking tube for lower mountain (optional)
• One water bottle insulator.
• Plastic mug with snap-on lid, 16 oz. or larger.
• Bowl and spoon. Plastic and small Tupperware work 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.
• Three-Four 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.
• One 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 require changing the date of your departure from Kathmandu)