Himlung Himal Climbing

Equipment Checklist

Climbing Gear:

• Alpine climbing harness with adjustable leg loops.
• 2 locking carabiners, preferably large and pear-shaped with screw gate closures.
• 3 lightweight regular carabiners (Black Diamond HotWire recommended).
• Ice axe with a leash, sized according to height (e.g., Grivel Air Tech, Black Diamond Raven, or Charlet Moser Snow Walker).
• Plastic mountaineering boots (e.g., Koflach Degree, Lowa Civetta, or Scarpa Alpha) or leather double mountaineering boots (e.g., La Sportiva Olympic Mons, Boreal GI) compatible with crampons.
• Crampons, pre-fitted to your plastic boots, with a simple repair kit (e.g., 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 lightweight, long-sleeve polypropylene shirts (light-colored for sunny days).
• 2 sports bras (synthetic, no cotton).
• 1 softshell jacket (e.g., Marmot Dri-clime Wind Shirt, Patagonia Stretch Zephur or Krushell Jacket).
• Down or synthetic sweater or vest (e.g., Patagonia Puffball Jacket or Sweater, or R4 Jacket).
• Hardshell jacket with a hood, waterproof and breathable (e.g., Gore-Tex or equivalent).
• 1 expedition down parka with a thick insulated hood (must be 700+ fill down and baffle construction).

Handwear:

• 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 (consider adding a wrist strap for security in high winds).

Head Gear:

• Warm hat (wool or synthetic, covering your ears).
• Balaclava.
• Face mask.
• Shade hat or baseball cap.
• Glacier glasses with 100% UV protection, side shields, and a hard-sided storage case (e.g., Julbo or Cebe).
• 1 extra pair of sunglasses with UV protection.
• 1 pair of ski goggles with UV protection.
• Prescription glacier glasses if needed (can be 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 boot fit with liner and wool socks on).
• 1 pair of nylon shorts.
• 1 pair of nylon pants for trekking and camping.
• 2 pairs of lightweight long underwear bottoms.
• 1 pair of fleece pants with side zippers or "puff-ball pants."
• 1 pair of soft-shell pants (e.g., Patagonia Guide pants or Granite Pants).
• 1 pair of hard shell pants, waterproof/breathable with full side zips (e.g., Gore-Tex or equivalent).
• 1 pair of gaiters (ensure they fit over plastic boots, e.g., OR Crocodiles).
• 1 pair of down booties (optional).
• 1 pair of trail shoes for the hike to base camp and camp use.
• 1 pair of sandals or tennis shoes for Kathmandu and in camp.
• Use waterproof stuff sacks or large plastic bags to keep clothing dry.

Pack:

• 1 lightweight internal frame pack (approximately 4,000 cubic inches).
• 1 optional daypack for the approach hike, summit day, and carry-on (e.g., Lowe Alpine Neutrino or Black Diamond Speed 28).
• 1 large duffel bag for gear, durable for use on pack animals.
• Small padlock for the duffel bag.
• 1 small duffel bag/Suitcase for luggage storage in Kathmandu (complimentary duffel/kit bag provided for items purchased in Kathmandu).

Sleeping Gear:

• 1 down sleeping bag  (Gore Dry loft or similar fabric for added protection and quick drying).
• Sleeping pad (full-length closed-cell foam mandatory and/or Therma-Rest for extra warmth and comfort).

Miscellaneous:

• First-aid kit including ibuprofen and doctor-recommended medications.
• Lip balm (at least SPF 20, with a string to hang around your neck).
• Sunscreen (at least SPF 40).
• Headlamp (e.g., Petzl Myobelt 3 or Black Diamond Polar Star).
• 3 water bottles (1-liter wide-mouth Nalgene, with one designated as a pee bottle).
• Hydration bladder with drinking tube (optional for lower mountain).
• Water bottle insulator.
• Plastic mug with snap-on lid (16 oz. or larger).
• Bowl and spoon (small Tupperware or Lexan spoons work well).
• Pocket knife (small Swiss-army type).
• Water purification (iodine tablets or Polar-pure crystals).
• Toiletry kit with toilet paper stored in a plastic bag.
• 3-4 large plastic bags for keeping gear dry.
• Nylon stuff sacks for food and gear storage (OR has a good selection), and large Ziplocs.
• Bandana.
• Camp towel.
• Earplugs.
• Hand wipes.
• Small stainless steel thermos (optional).
• Favorite snack foods (up to 2 pounds).
• Paperback books, cards, Walkman, etc.
• Binoculars (optional for viewing the route from lower camps).
• Camera (1 lightweight point & shoot for the mountain, 1 large SLR type optional for the trek and base camp).
• Fanny pack or wallet for travel documents, money, and passport.
• Passport and passport photos.