Equipment and Health

CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT

Equipment Check List

  • Jeans or slacks
  • Towel and toilet kit
  • Underwear
  • Gloves or mittens
  • Down sleeping bag, or Fibrefill sleeping bag warm to 20 degrees F, (or you can rent one in Kathmandu)
  • Parka, down or fiberfill; a ski jacket is ok
  • Sweater, wool shirt or fleece jacket.
  • Duffel bag, canvas or nylon, without a frame (for porters to carry)
  • Daypack or rucksack, waterproof, for you to carry
  • Water bottle 1 liter or 1 quart; be sure that it does not leak.
  • Flashlight (torch) or headlamp
  • Trekking shoes either boots or strong tennis or running shoes, well broken in. There may be rain, mud or snow; boots are sometimes necessary therefore we recommend bringing them despite the extra hassle. Many times the entire trek can be done in tennis shoes, but if there is snow, you run the risk of frostbite, or at least cold feet, if you do not have boots. If your feet are small (size 10 or less), you can rent boots in Kathmandu.
  • Hats, one with a brim for sun; one wool for cold weather.
  • Sunglasses or goggles - very important for travel above 12,000 feet. Absolutely essential for Everest treks, optional for Annapurna treks (though they may be necessary in December and January when there is snow).
  • Shorts - it may be warm during the day, especially near Pokhara. You will probably not wear shorts on Everest treks. Women should wear skirts instead of shorts.
  • Socks - two pairs thick wool or artificial fibre.
  • Shirts - we recommend three: two T-shirts and one long sleeve shirt.
  • Pocket knife (Be sure this is packed in your checked baggage to avoid hassles with airport security).
  • Rainwear - a poncho; or you can buy an Indian umbrella in Kathmandu for about $2.
  • Slippers or tevas for campsite wear. Rubber `shower shoes' are available in Kathmandu for about $1
  • Many people prefer to walk with a hiking staff or a pair of poles to ease fatigue on the knees.
This list is suitable for most 8 to 10 day treks. Although you can wash clothes during the trek, you may need extra socks, shirts and underclothes for longer treks. If your trek goes above 3500 meters (about 12,000 feet) for more than one day you should pay particular attention to warm clothing. We strongly recommend carrying both a pile jacket and a down or fiberfill parka.

An altimeter is an interesting addition to your gear. The weight limit on treks and domestic flights is 15 kg (33 pounds); please make an effort to keep your baggage within this weight limit.

Most of these items are available for rent or sale in Kathmandu, but most trekking equipment in Nepal is either used equipment that was sold by other trekkers or mountaineering expeditions or locally made reproductions of internationally known brands.

Some Advice about Food and Water

In Nepal you should drink only treated water and eat only freshly cooked food. You should always wash your hands before eating, especially if you eat things like biscuits and bread with your fingers. If you follow these simple rules, you should not experience any severe stomach problems. Be forewarned, however, that it is not unusual to have some mild diarrhea in Nepal while your system adapts to a new environment. If, however, you have diarrhea accompanied by severe cramps, high fever and chills, you may have a bacterial or parasitic infection that requires additional medication. For any medical advice and assistance you require in Kathmandu we recommend the CIWEC Clinic, near the Yak & Yeti Hotel, phone 228531.

The hotels we use are known for their hygienic standards, and the food they serve should pose no health problem. Some conservative physicians recommend that you yourself see any water you drink boiled or treat the water yourself with iodine. The bottled mineral water available in Kathmandu is the safest water to drink. Do not drink tap water under any circumstances. If you eat in restaurants outside the hotel, you should follow the cooked foods rule. Salads and fruits that cannot be peeled should be regarded with suspicion. Open-air sweets, dried fruits, local chhang, candy colored soda pop in the bazaar, and the wares of small pie shops are all tempting, but can harbor germs and parasites that can upset your stomach and ruin your trek. During the trek, the sherpa cook and kitchen crew thoroughly cooks all food and wash dishes in boiling water. You should have no stomach problems if you eat only the food served by the sherpas. The most important consideration for staying healthy is to take extra care with your own personal hygiene. Keep your hands clean by washing them frequently in the washing water that we provide.

MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Medical Supplies

  • Suntan lotion or sun blocking cream
  • Lip salve (Chapstick, Blistex, or Glacier Cream)
  • Foot powder
  • Band-Aids (plasters) and tape
  • Moleskin or other blister pads
  • Elastic (Ace) bandage
  • Antiseptic cream
  • Aspirin
  • Throat lozenges or cough drops
  • Decongestant tablets
  • Iodine - small bottle for water purification
  • Toilet paper & matches or a cigarette lighter to burn used TP
  • Bactrim, Norfloxacin or other diarrhea remedy
On most treks, you will always be within a few days of medical help. The sherpas who will accompany you are not doctors, nor are they first aid practitioners. It is essential that you bring your own first aid kit and be prepared to take care of your own blisters, cuts and scrapes. In the event of a real emergency, the sherpa sirdar will do his best to get you transported quickly to a qualified physician or an airstrip from which you may be evacuated to Kathmandu.

Recommended Injections

  • Typhoid
  • Tetanus
  • Polio
  • Malaria (only if you will be visiting a jungle lodge)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Meningitis Meningococcal A/C vaccine
Copyright 1999, Adventure Travel Limited