HGA Generic gear list
HGA Nepal Treks Standard Gear List
Here is our standard gear list for our Nepal treks. It seems like a lot and often you may not need it all, however weather is highly variable in the Himalaya, with snow and storms occurring at any time, so good gear selection is important. You will note that many items can be purchased or hired in Kathmandu, however, quality can be variable, particularly in boots, water bottles and waterproof gear, so we recommend that you purchase these in Australia and road test them before departing for Nepal. We are on hand to offer advice re brand and good outlets, so please get in touch if you need a hand.
For those of you who need to buy some of your trekking gear, we recommend a shop called Shonas, in Kathmandu, near Mums hotel. It sells sleeping bags, downs, commercial high altitude gear, trekking bags and they also have a great range of down jackets/ vests and mitts etc.
You will be able to purchase your gear here for about a fifth of the price in Australia. It is reputable and we recommend it.
Item |
Quantity |
Description |
Buy/ Hire in KTM |
Underwear |
5 each |
y |
|
Socks med weight |
3 pr |
y |
|
Thermal top |
2 |
y |
|
Thermal pants |
2 |
y |
|
Down/fleece pants |
1 |
y |
|
Waterproof overpants |
1 |
y |
|
Waterproof jacket |
1 |
y |
|
Lightweight shirts/ t shirts |
4 |
T shirts are readily found in KTM. |
y |
Light weight trekking shorts |
2 |
y |
|
Down jacket |
1 |
y |
|
Down booties |
1 pr |
These can be purchased for around $15 and are a little luxury |
|
Fibre pile/ light down vest |
1 |
y |
|
Large Scarf |
1 |
for sun/ wind protection |
y |
Travel pants and shirt for KTM/ flight |
2 |
y |
|
Boots leather ( particularly important for winter treks) |
1 |
Ensure you have purchased these and worn them in prior to leaving for Nepal. Good brands include Scarpa and Asolo. |
|
Gaiters |
1 |
Particularly important for winter/ snow |
y |
Gloves liners |
1 |
polypropolene or merino |
y |
Gloves heavy outers |
1 |
y |
|
Sunhat/ Cap |
1 |
y |
|
Sleeping bag 3 to 4 season |
1 |
Don’t skimp on a cheap bag. |
y |
silk/ sleeping bag liner or sheet |
1 |
This adds warmth to your bag and keeps it clean |
y |
Foam mat for sleeping |
1 |
provided |
y |
Therma rest or similar sleeping mat |
1 |
recommended |
y |
Towel |
1 |
y |
|
Head Torch and spare batteries |
1 |
Batteries are easily sourced in KTM and save the problems taking them on the plane |
y |
Antiseptic soap or gels |
1 |
easily purchased in KTM |
y |
Suncream |
1 |
easily purchased in KTM |
y |
Lip balm |
1 |
easily purchased in KTM |
y |
sunglasses |
2 |
1 good pair, 1 cheap spare |
y |
Personal reading glasses |
1 |
A cheap spare pair would also be handy. They tend to get lost or broken |
|
Ski pole |
2 |
1 or 2 for balance. Make sure they have solid baskets as poles with no baskets are useless in snow or muddy ground. |
y |
Beanie |
1 |
y |
|
Light backpack |
1 |
30 L is adequate, unless you want to challenge yourself |
y |
Water bottles 1 nalgene wide mouth |
3 |
Avoid the cheap knock offs in KTM. They can melt when boiling water is placed in them, which it is each evening. |
y |
Camera/ Go pro with cleaning kit and solid carry bag |
1 |
Optional |
y |
water proof stuff sacks for clothes |
4 |
No kitbags are waterproof, so stuffsacks keep your important stuff dry. A must. |
|
Pack liner or heavy duty garbage bag |
1 |
y |
|
Thongs/ sandals/ runners for around camp |
1 |
for around camp/ showers |
y |
Solar power charger and adaptors for phone and camera |
1 |
|
y |
Phone |
1 |
Nepali SIM cards are easily obtained and cheap |
y |
Personal medical kit |
1 |
Prescription medication, band-aids etc |
y |
Toiletries |
1 |
|
|
Watch/altimeter |
1 |
y |
|
Binoculars |
1 |
y |
|
smile |
1 |
compulsory |
|
Toiletries |
1 |
y |
|
Kit Bag to be carried by porters |
1 |
compulsory |
y |
Umbrella |
1 |