Your trip abroad will require a valid passport (Passport (must be valid for 6 months after trip)
Copy of the information pages of your passport (pdf / scan / digital photo to be sent in advance)
4 x passport photographs (please bring with you)
Nepalese Visa – this can be obtained on entry – 2 x passport photos and £ or US$ or €uros required (please note that there are no facilities to obtain photographs at Kathmandu airport). Alternatively contact the Nepalese Embassy to arrange for a Visa in advance
Insurance – this MUST include helicopter rescue, repatriation, be valid for Everest and the issuing company must accept we may need to instigate proceedings without first contacting them. Try the ‘Ripcord‘ Rescue Travel Insurance policy from Redpoint Resolutions.
Image Above - Elephant image on Nepal 1‚000-rupee bank note confuses even wildlife experts - Money (£200 to £350 personal spending for trip and £150 for Kathmandu depending on souvenir hunting ability. Do not change money at the airport as there are money changing facilities where you will get a better rate of exchange in the Thamel District of Kathmandu)
Image Above - International USD credit and debit cards in Nepal - There are cash points in Kathmandu so bring your credit cards just in case
Trekking to base camp - Trekking In & Base Camp & Acclimatization.
45-55 Litre rucksack will suffice for the trek in - Airzone_Trek_Plus_45_55_oxide
Lightweight trekking boots (in addition to approach shoes just in case it snows during the trek and we can therefore avoid getting cold wet feet). Something that is reasonably substantial like the Trango Evo, Scarpa Rebel or a suitable alternative.
Gaiters (again just in the event that there is any snowfall during the trekking phase)
Lightweight spikes, (again this is just in case we have conditions underfoot that may compromise safety). Available in KTM (NIKE Unisex Rival S 8 - Hyper Orange - Paramount Blue)
Tevas / sandals (optional) Teva Terra Fi 4 Multisport Sandals - Men's
Baffin Base Camp Bootie - Base Camp booties (with some sort of rugged sole) (optional – available in KTM)
Waterproof jacket - Gore Tex
Waterproof overtrousers (must go over your plastic boots for use up to Camp 2)
Duvet jacket - Montane Featherlite Down Jacket
A nice feature of the Ether DriClime Hoody is the underarm vents shown here. - Lined windproof (highly recommended and much more versatile than a windproof top and a fleece – Marmot's Driclime, Hoody, Rab VaporRise, Mountain Hardwear Tempest, Berghaus, Rage etc.
The Icebreaker Tech T Lite, the backpacking world's ubiquitous #1 t-shirt recommendation. Thermal / wicky tops x 4 or 5 (mix of short and long sleeve). Check out Icebreaker, Macpac, and Smartwool.
Also thermal / wicky long sleeve tops x 1 or 2 in light colours (white or light grey) for when we are on glaciers or in The Western Cwm.
Trekking trousers - New Trekking Pants Men Windproof Climbing Waterproof UV Protection Trousers Outdoor Sport Camping Windstopper Softshell Pants
Thermal leggings - Craghoppers Womens Winter Thermal Control Trekking Leggings
Softshell pants x 2 or 3 prs
Underwear x 5 (absolute minimum). (Women's shapely II Luxe Softshell Ski Pants White)
Merino Wool Hiking Socks from Danish Endurance - Good quality trekking socks x 3 or 4 prs.
Light gloves (depends on circulation as to how thick they should be) – Powerstretch suggested - RAB Powerstretch Pro Gloves
Sunhat (baseball style hats not so good as they offer no ear protection from the sun).
Water bottle insulation covers
4 season sleeping bag. I recommend the Solar Flare Endurance by The North Face, or the Wraith by Mountain Hardwear.
THE SPECS
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Insulation: Q.Shield™ Down 850-Fill
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Bag Shell: 20D Dry.Q Elite Micro Rip
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Apparel Fit: Regular-Sleep Bags
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Weight: 4 lb 6 oz / 1.99 kg
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Bag Shape: Winter Mummy Cut
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Bag Loft: 9 in / 23 cm
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Bag Stuff Size: 10 in / 25 cm
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Bag Fill Weight: 1.02 kg / 1.08 kg / 2 lb 4 oz / 2 lb 6 oz
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Inside Length Regular: 78 in / 198 cm
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Inside Length Long: 84 in / 213 cm
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Hip Girth Regular: 56 in / 142 cm
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Hip Girth Long: 59 in / 151 cm
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Foot Girth Regular: 41 in / 104 cm
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Foot Girth Long: 43 in / 109 cm
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Shoulder Girth Regular: 62 in / 157 cm
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Shoulder Girth Long: 64 in / 163 cm
FROM THE MANUFACTURER
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Q Shield™ 800 fill down resists moisture and retains loft in damp conditions.
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Dry.Q™ Elite shell is waterproof, breathable, windproof, durable and lightweight.
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Hidden baffle construction preserves waterproofness and durability.
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Laminated, double external zipper flaps keep water out.
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5″ baffle spacing keeps down controlled for even, predictable loft.
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Six-chamber hood design maintains even loft around head for consistent warmth.
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Ergonomic draft collar blocks the escape of heated air from inside the bag. The two-piece collar drapes over neck and shoulders creating a soft comfortable seal. Two draw cords can snug down as needed to secure the collar.
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Down-filled face gasket blocks drafts at the hood opening. Only a slight tightening of the draw cord is required to seal in warmth.
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Two small pockets above collar provide storage for small items.
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Double draft tubes along zipper prevent cold spots.
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Comfort footbox follows natural foot position for maximum warmth and comfort.
Sleeping bag compression sack – with your name on it
Sleeping bag liner – optional but stops your bag getting too soiled and adds extra warmth depending upon type
Karrimat / Thermarest / Ridgerest (repair kit required if using Thermarest) – with your name on it
Beanie style hat or silk balaclava (must be comfortable to wear when sleeping i.e. no big seams and poppers to jab you in the head)
A buff (great multifunctional piece of clothing)
LED headtorch for knocking around base camp, (Petzl) Black Diamond)
Julbo Explorer 2.0 Climbing & Trekking Sunglasses
Sun cream – Factor 45 or above.
Lip salve with sun block
Nose guard (Optional)
Plastic insulated mug for Base Camp (optional as metal cups are available but drinks soon go cold in them) Snow Peak 600 Titanium Double Walled Insulated Mug.
Everest Base Camp Trek Packing List for The Female Trekker
Small personal 1st aid kit
An international plug adaptor for recharging purposes when in teahouses
Waterproof rucksack liner,
Mount Everest now has 4G coverage at 5,200 metres above sea level, thanks to Huawei and China Mobile. Climbers will now be able to live stream the view from Mount Everest after the technology companies deployed LTE TDD, a 4G wireless technology, at a base station from which mountaineers climb to the summit.5 Jul 2013 -
Mobile phone with charger. You can buy a SIM in Kathmandu card for around Rs500 and it’s about Rs18 per minute to phone the UK (subject to signal of course) rather than £2.00 to £2.50/min. PLEASE REMEMBER your charging cable - Don't forget to purchase a spare battery for your phone.
Monteverde Mountains of the World, Mount Everest Fountain Pen - Medium – A&D Penworx - Don't forget to keep a daily diary for the entire duration of your stay on the mountain and back to Kathmandu.
Hillary's Everest Diary entry for 29th May 1953.
Rab 80l Expedition Kitbag
2 / 3 Kitbags for portering gear and storing it in your tent (90L recommended). Available in KTM. Please make sure that these are well marked and easily identifiable because you don’t want your ‘it’s a black / red / yellow 90L duffle’ to get confused with all the other similar items that are going hither and thither with other teams
A few heavy duty plastic bags to keep your packed items waterproofed in to your kitbag. Or, better, a selection of colored drybags so you know what is packed where – all marked with your name on.
mall combination padlocks (no keys to lose) that fit kitbag zippers
Tips for the crew (US$200)
Also US $1,000 (for your Summit Day Sherpa)
About Us » Danuru Sherpa & Mt Everest taken in the Gokyo Valley
55-65 Litre rucksack.This needs to be comfortable when loaded and should have side compression straps rather than side pockets. NOTE – If you are particularly good at packing you may well be able to use your trekking rucksack if it is versatile enough. Down suit - Check out the absolute Zero Oversuit by Mountain Hardwear, the Ulvettanna Suit by Berghaus, the Himalayan Suit by The North Face and the expedition suit by Rab. OR a High Altitude Down Jacket and a pair of Down Salopettes or trousers.
State Orange Men's Absolute Zero™ Suit,
Expedition 1400 sleeping bag
5 season sleeping bag. Have a look at the Inferno Endurance by The North Face, the Ghost SL by Mountain Hardwear, the ultra cold range of bags by PHD and the Rab bags too (In particular the Exped 1200 and Exped 1400. Sleeping bag compression bag (with your name on it!)
[ ] Sleeping bag liner – optional but stops your bag getting too soiled and adds extra warmth depending upon type
5 season foam sleeping mat with your name on it (don’t bring 2 Thermarests as they will slip on each other)
Double layer mountaineering boots for use up to Camp 2. Please DO NOT bring Scarpa Alphas – they are not warm enough. Scarpa Vegas (with HA liner) La Sportiva Spantik, La Sportiva G2 SM, Boreal G1 Lite are all fit for purpose.Gaiters (wide enough to fit over the ankle of your plastics when going up and down to C2. Millet everest boots, La Sportiva Olympus Mons, Scarpa Phantom 8,000ers for beyond camp 2.
Foot warm up pads (air activated heat pads) – highly recommended. Better to be slightly too warm than slightly too cold
PETZL STRAP KIT FOR SIDELOCK CRAMPONS
4 x long heavy duty plastic cable ties or a spare crampon strap (emergency crampon repair)
Crampons – Heel clip and ‘French’ straps or thermoplastic ‘Y’ toe piece preferred.
Consider whether you need crampon extension bars for your 8,000m boots (above around size 44 depending on the boot and crampon)
Petzl Crampon Flex Linking Bars (T03A BS)
Crampon antiball plates (should come as standard nowadays)
Headtorch. Modern LED head torches are pretty good nowadays and the Petzl Myo RXP does the job … but I’d recommend taking a fresh set of batteries to The South Col for the summit bid (I’d also probably avoid the rechargeable types unless you can swap out to regular batteries)
[ ] If using AA batteries then remember that whilst Lithium batteries come in at a whopping £6.99 a pair they are substantially lighter and last up to 5 times longer than Alkaline batteries, particularly in cold conditions. In the long run it means that for every 4 AA Lithiums (£13.98) you would need 20 Alkalines (£20) which would weigh in at half a kilo!! (In some cases, cold temperatures can cause alkaline batteries to burst and leak.) Lithium batteries operate in extremely cold climates or extremely hot climates where alkaline batteries cease to function. WEIGHT: Lithium batteries are much lighter than alkaline batteries. Ensure your device is suitable for lithium batteries and works with those types of batteries.
Softshell pants
[ ] Warm good quality mountaineering socks x 4 prs. (and save one fresh pair, brand new and unused, for summit day)
Liner gloves
[ ] Mountain gloves
[ ] Down mitts.
Check out The North Face, the Marmot Expedition mitt, and the Mountain Hardwear Absolute zero mitt
Mountain hat that covers the ears or a headband and beanie, or a beanie and a buff
[ ] Balaclava
[ ] Face mask (optional – Thin neoprene skiers mask covering nose and face to protect from cold wind).
Daisan black glacier goggles mountaineering glasses with category 4 lenses:
Marmot 8000 Meter Mitt: $275
Misty Mountain Intrepid Harness - Men's
Standard Figure of 8
Category 4 Goggles. Light weight harness. Lightweight Figure of 8, Jumar ( 5 x locking Karabiners. HMS / Pear Shaped Karabiners preferred due to ease of use with gloves on and wide gate opening (but NOT the old DMM Boa – they don’t fit through the holes in the jumar). ‘Autolocking’ style karabiners are NOT recommended.
ALPIDEX 5 x Oval Steel Carabiner
Jumar on Everest
1 x 1.5m length of 5mm cord, 1 x 4m length of 8mm or 9mm dynamic cord (for making cows tails to use on the fixed ropes. 1 x 120cm sling
[ ] Helmet – light plastic helmet preferred to a polystyrene one. The ultralight helmets are very easily crushed or damaged when being portered.
1 x ice axe with leash. A classic Alpine axe will be fine
Plastic bowl or Tupperware box for meals above Base Camp (Plastic insulated mug Plastic spoon
[ ] 2 x 1/2 litre waterbottles for inside your down suit on summit day
Pee bottle (wide mouth Nalgene 1 litre water bottle … but please make sure that it is a different colour to your water bottles and marked accordingly to avoid any confusion!)Zinc oxide sun block stick.
Weather Mt. Everest & Himalaya
Mount Everest is located in the normal elevation in which the jet stream is located so winds during much of year exceed 80 mph (128 km/hr.). Remember, hurricane force winds are at 74 mph (118 km/hr.) or greater. During the winter months the subtropical jet is aimed over Mt. Everest bringing these strong winds. If the polar jet, which is normally located close to 50 degrees latitude, dips to the south and merges with the subtropical jet, Mt. Everest and the rest of the Himalaya can get some extreme winds of well over 125 mph (200 km/hr).
The big question for climbers of Mt Everest and the other major 8000 meter (over 26,400’) peaks is the timing of the weather patterns which bring reasonable winds for climbing (usually 25 mph or less). Starting in March and April we begin to see a minor reduction in the winds, but this is more likely in May. What usually happens in May is the polar jet begins to shift to the north and the subtropical jet starts to weaken. Sometimes there is short window early in May of reasonable winds. However, it is more likely that we get a weather window of 3 to 5 days of reasonable winds sometime during the last two weeks of May. However, the jet will still meander back and forth, and that weather window for climbing Everest can quickly close.
Usually by June ,or sometimes later in May, we start to see a major shift in the wind patterns as they become more from the south or east bringing moisture into the region. Once these winds get established, that is usually the start of the monsoon season. This usually runs from the middle of June to September. During the monsoon season the heavy precipitation will keep most climbers and trekkers out of the region.
In September, as the monsoon and associated heavy precipitation starts to “slowly” retreat trekkers and climbers return. Although Everest is not generally climbed in the fall, many of the other 8000 meter peaks, such as Cho Oyu, Makalu, Manaslu, and Shishapangma, are climbed by some. Generally by late September and early October there is less moisture and reasonable summit winds, so that is a popular time. However the region is still subject to cyclones moving in from the Bay of Bengal. More on that later.
Image Above - Mt Shishapangma
By November, the polar jet starts to drop down from the north and the subtropical jet starts to reestablish its position near Mt. Everest and the rest of the Himalaya. At this point we start to see an increase in winds but with generally less moisture. Even in November, some of the major peaks are still climbed, especially since the moisture is limited. But winds can still be an issue.
Image Above - Sixth Highest Peak - Cho Oyu West Ridge West Face Route, 8,188 metres (26,864 ft) above sea level. The best time to visit Mount Everest is in the spring and autumn for several reasons. Mount Everest’s changeable, extreme climate, in particular, is a determining factor. The summit temperature never rises above freezing, or 0° C (32° F). Its summit temperatures in January average -36° C (-32 ° F) and can drop to -60° C (-76° F), and its average summit temperature in July is -2° F (-19° C). Weather conditions in the high summit is notoriously difficult to predict.
In the winter months, from January to March, Mount Everest is cold, but from afar, visitors can get some of the clearest and most beautiful glimpses of Mount Everest. Snow, unsurprisingly, can be expected from December to February. Staying warm and dry is paramount; during winter, weather conditions can be notoriously unpredictable, and the temperature ranges from as high as 20° C to as low as -15°C. From April to May, even mid-June, is arguably the ideal time to Mount Everest; not only is the peak often visible and clear. For mountaineers, the climbing window between April and May is also one of the best times to attempt an ascent to the summit.
Image Above - Comparing the routes of Everest 2018 - Southwest Face Everest Routes - From mid-June to August, summer may sound like the prime time to visit Mount Everest, but it is also monsoon season during which the mountain can receive large amounts of rainfall. During the monsoon season, the Everest peak is, more often than not, shrouded in mist. However, it is very cool in this season in Tibet and visitors can enjoy fine weather in other parts of the region. Summer, then, is the best time to visit Tibet though visitors wishing to see the Everest peak may be disappointed. From September to November, after the monsoon passes and just before the harsh winter moves in, a small window of opportunity opens up for travellers eager to glimpse the mountain at its best. Autumn is also the peak time for climbers, with many more climbers seeking to reach the summit than in the spring.
Image Above - Opened in 1971, Hotel Everest View has been listed on the Guinness Book of World Records (2004) as the Highest Placed Hotel in the world at 13000ft. Featured in numerous guide books and having received media coverage, the resort has become a destination in its own right. Visitors who are interested in making the trek from Tingri to Everest Base camp, the best time extends from mid-September to May, coinciding with the end of the monsoon season. By the end of September through December the weather tends to be relatively stable with mild to warm days and cold nights. Since 2010, a visit to the North Base Camp in Tibet requires a permit called Alien’s travel permit from the Chinese government, on top of the Tibet entry permit required to visit Tibet itself. At this time such permits must be arranged via Tibet travel agencies such as Tibettravel.org as part of a package tour that includes hiring a vehicle, a driver and a guide.
PSB-Permit-Alien-Travel-Permit