Climbing Equipment's

Top of the World Adventure has compiled a list of essential equipment, personal medical services and a description of medical conditions likely to occur while mountaineering at high altitude. We hope that helps you prepare for the trip. Either way, you may already have most of the equipment but it never hurts having a checklist at hand. A simple thumb rule to keep in mind: bring, whenever possible, a spare of every piece of equipment necessary for survival. And think wide: Sunglasses may sound like a trivial thing, but if you lose or break your pair on the mountain, you're going to suffer from snow blindness that can be fatal on the mountain just because you're not going to be able to go down–carry a spare. And equally important, make sure you know all your equipment, especially new pieces. You should be in a position to use everything even under the most adverse conditions.

The list should be seen as an important summary and, of course, it could be incomplete. Expeditioners are advised to conduct further research and practical activities to get acquainted with the equipment. You should also be familiar with the medical terminology and have a basic understanding of medical conditions related to high elevation, cold, wind, excessive sun exposure and injuries that are likely to be incurred in outdoor circumstances, especially in high and remote mountain areas. While most of this will only be applicable in cases of emergency–which we all hope will never experience–it's best to get over-prepared; your life may depend on it.

Essential Personal Climbing Gear:

  • Alpine Climbing Harness: A good climbing harness should be light and simple in design, easy to put on and take off with gloves on, with positively foolproof locking features.
  • Crampons: Crampons must fit boots perfectly; steel crampons with anti-balling and ability to toe point positively and safely into ice. The lighter the better – extra weight on your feet is much more strenuous than anywhere else on your body.
  • Ice axe: Ice axe should be versatile and light. A general purpose technical ice axe (T rated) but not too aggressive.
  • Ascender: Ascender or Jamar, a mechanical device used for ascending on a rope; must be suitable to be used with gloves or mittens. Practice using it with thick gloves on again and again.
  • Multi-LED Head Lamp: Multi-LED Head Lamp and spare batteries are essential; we do not recommend single bulb lights due to lower reliability
  • Carabiners: Minimum 2 locking carabiners, 1 large and 1 small and 4 regular.
  • Rappel device: Figure 8, ACT or similar; be familiar with Munter Hitch as it may save your life if you lose your rappel device (which happens a lot)
  • Trekking poles: Very handy for the approach; adjustable types are the best (preferably with a simple outside locking mechanism)
  • Slings: One 3 m(10ft (ca. 3 m)) and three 2 m(6ft (1.83 m))
  • Prusik loops: Never hurts to carry a few (e.g. 0.6 m and 1.2 m), they come in handy in many situations
  • Masks, hoses, and regulators: Good quality for your safety.
  • Altimeter :ABC watch or more advanced GPS watches will do the trick. Watch for battery life
  • Climbing helmet: Climbing helmet is essential safety gear for crossing areas under rocks and ice cliffs; light weight is essential.

Clothing

For undergarments, we recommend Merino wool–or one of the new mixtures of Merino and synthetics (Icebreaker and Odlo are two highly recommended brands). In extreme conditions, quality and comfort are important, so don't look for cheap options. Because of its softness and breathability Merino wool is common, while providing excellent insulation. It can very well absorb water and remove moisture from your body which keeps you dry and warm. It has inherent antibacterial properties, therefore it remains functional for a long time.

Upper Body

  • 1-2 (medium insulation) short-sleeve Merino shirt(e.g. Icebreaker Merino 150 or lightweight 200, Odlo Revolution medium)
  • 2 long-sleeve Merino shirts (e.g. Icebreaker Merino 150 and/or 200 or Odlo Revolution, one medium and one thick)
  • One fleece pullover, medium weight.
  • One fleece jacket.
  • One hard-shell waterproof Gore-Tex jacket with large hood to accommodate the climbing helmet. The Arc’teryx SV range is expensive but offers excellent wind and water protection. 
  • Lightweight down jacket for chilly days in base camp or warm layer when stopping for short breaks.
  • One very warm expedition grade goose-down (duvet) jacket with hood or a down suit if you prefer, for high altitude use (e.g. Northface, Rab etc.)

Note: Your clothing should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks (preferably made of Cordura) or alternatively bin-liners or large plastic bags although they are less rugged.

Hands:

  • One pair lightweight liner gloves. These will be worn when tying knots etc.
  • Mitten: Gore-Tex Over-mitts (that block the wind) matched with the very warm down mitts, spare mitts might also be useful (For instance, Mountain Equipment Redline)

Head:

  • Warm wool or synthetic  hat that covers your ears
  • Balaclava or face mask
  • Scarf or neck sleeve
  • a Bandana or headscarf is useful for dusty conditions
  • Ball cap or brimmed sun cap
  • Glacier Sunglass with side shields (2x)
  • One pair of ski goggles (optional with light and dark lens) for windy conditions

Lower Body:

  • Merino underwear briefs (Icebreaker, Odlo etc.)
  • One pair walking shorts (optional)
  • One pair walking trousers for trekking and around camp
  • Two pair thermal Merino bottoms (Icebreaker 150 or 200 or Odlo Revolution)
  • One pair very thick thermal Merino bottoms (Icebreaker 200, Odlo Revolution Thick)
  • One pair polar fleece trousers or similar mid layer trousers
  • One pair Gore-Tex (over)trousers or bibs. Waterproof/breathable with full side zips
  • One pair of Goose-down trousers or bibs. You may prefer a down suit (Northface, Rab, etc.)

Feet:

  • One pair of plastic boots suitable for >8000 m. (For instance La Sportiva Olympus Mons, Millet or equivalent good quality plastic shells with inner boots; avoid tight fit with heavy socks)
  • One pair sturdy leather or synthetic (Gore-Tex) hiking boots with good ankle support for the walk to base camp
  • One pair cross-trainers, running shoes and/or sandals for Kathmandu and in camp
  • One pair down booties (optional but convenient)
  • Two pair med-heavy poly or wool socks
  • Two Pairs of liner socks. Polypropylene or wool
  • Vapor barrier liner socks or plastic bread-bags (matter of preference)
  • Two pair lightweight trekking socks, poly or wool
  • Light Merino wool or cotton socks for in town

Travelling and Sleeping Gear:

Rucksacks and Travel Bags:

  • One medium rucksack (50-70 l), can be used for airplane carry as well)
  • Two large (120 l) duffle kit bags for clothing and equipment, must be durable for use on pack animals
  • Small padlocks for duffel kit bags

Sleeping Gear:

  • One down sleeping bag for high altitude (rated to –35 C (-30 F). In the high camp, you can sleep in your down clothing inside your sleeping bag.
  • For base camp, one (additional) sleeping bag (normal rating to about-15C to-20 C (-5 F)).
  • At least 3 closed cell foam mats for use in base camp in the higher camps (Thermarest offers an excellent lightweight one with decent insulation values) – inflatable mats are not recommended as they are more prone to failure and provide almost no insulation if not properly inflated.

Note: Your sleeping bags should be kept dry using a waterproof stuff sack

Medical

Personal Hygiene:

  • Personal hygiene supplies;
  • Two tubes lip sun cream, at least 1 large tube regular sun cream (min. factor 30), some after-sun lotion in case you do get a sunburn
  • Anti-mosquito cream;
  • One toothpaste/brush set;
  • One hand sanitizer gel
  • 1 (fast drying) synthetic towel

Medical Supplies:

  • Small personal first-aid kit; (Simple and Light): first-aid tape, plasters (band-aids), alcohol-free wipes for cuts, personal medications, etc. (The leaders will have more extensive first-aid kits)
  • Personal prescription medications; Please let your leader know about any medical issues before the climb.
  • One skin blister repair kit

Miscellaneous Practical Items:

  • 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing repair kit;
  • 1 cigarette lighter, 1 small box of matches that light in all conditions;
  • 1 compass or GPS;
  • Solar charger
  • 1 battery powered alarm clock/watch;
  • 1 digital camera with extra cards and extra batteries;
  • Nylon stuff sacks for food and gear storage;
  • 3 Water bottles (1 litre) wide-mouth Nalgene (1 is a pee bottle)
  • 1 plastic cup and spoon;
  • 1 small folding knife;
  • Binoculars (optional);
  • 4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks;
  • Passport, 2 extra passport photos, flight ticket, flight itinerary;
  • Separate photocopies of passport and relevant visa pages, proof of insurance;
  • Dollars, Pounds or Euros for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks, and to purchase your own drinks and gifts (bring small denominations);
  • Credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for use for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveller's checks, etc.
  • 1 bathing suit/swimming costume (you never know);
  • Base camp entertainment. It is good to bring additional items which you have found to be useful on previous expeditions. For example: paperback books, playing cards, mp3 player, short-wave radio, game boys, musical instruments, ear plugs, lots of batteries, etc.;
  • travel clothes for base camp and in town;

Please be sure and bring your patience and try to keep an open, relaxed, positive and friendly attitude as travelling in this part of the world may be very different from what you are used to, but things always seem to fall into place at the last moment.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Please contact us for any other equipment concerns and suggestions. We are happy to discuss these in detail.