It's HOT on the lower slopes and in the valleys. Sun protection and light-weight clothing needed.

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Edwina Gibbs
5 years ago
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1 We provide tents, cooking, camping and eating equipment. You only need to worry about your personal stuff; clothing, boots, sleeping bag, camping mat etc. Notes It's HOT on the lower slopes and in the valleys. Sun protection and light-weight clothing needed. Expect the occasional rain shower, you'll need to bring waterproofs and make sure you've waterproofed your day pack and luggage. Cold camping conditions at high altitude. A good sleeping bag and insulated roll mat are essential. You'll spend a fair amount of time in camp, so books and an Ipod are a good idea. A Down Jacket makes hanging around at the campsites more bearable, and can be used if you need to warm-up quickly on the summit climb. Don't forget to bring hand sanitiser and wet wipes, AND USE THEM. This is essential. Luggage Take a duffel bag in which to store your spare clothing and equipment. Make sure everything is wrapped in waterproof liners (or bin bags). The mules will carry this in between camps. Take a 20-35L day pack in which to carry water and food, a warm layer, sunglasses, camera, Gore-Tex jacket/ trousers etc. Make sure your rucksack has a waterproof liner. 1 / 7

2 A fold-a-way bag is useful for leaving your non-mountain luggage at the hotel. Feet Boots a good pair of waterproof 2-3 season (B1 rated) boots are best for this trip. I wear a pair of Scapa Manta s, they re warmer than the average boot and the stiff sole makes walking over steep and loose scree much easier. When considering what boots to take, don t forget they must be crampon compatible. Solid trainers/ approach shoes are essential, too. You probably won't want to wear your mountain boots whilst trekking at lower altitudes. Socks take several pairs of standard walking socks and a spare pair of ultra-warm mountaineering socks (and liner socks) to be kept in reserve for summit-day. Make sure you ve got a thick pair of mountaineering socks kept in reserve to be worn on summit day only. Your normal walking socks won t be up to the job. I wear a pair of Mund Everest Extreme double socks and a pair of thin liners underneath. The layering system works with feet too. A pair of thin liner socks worn under your thick mountain socks will keep your feet much warmer. If you suffer from cold feet consider wearing a pair of Yeti Gaiters over your boots. Blister plasters, Compede is best. Foot powder Gaiters (optional). 2 / 7

3 A pair of trainers or approach shoes useful for wearing around camp. They re good for walking in lower down the mountain. Legs A pair of warm mountain trousers. I use a pair of Softshell Haglof s Shark pants very expensive, but they really do the job because they re fleece lined and windproof. Lightweight trousers for lower down the mountain and waterproof over trousers Underwear avoid cotton underwear as they get wet with sweat and chaff. Take two or three pairs made from wicking material. Decathlon sell cheap and breathable undies. Shorts optional. I don t usually recommend wearing shorts on the mountain because it s so easy to get sunburn on the calves/ back of the legs. Long johns (thermal underwear) essential for summit day. Body Thermal base layer shirts x 2 (one of which should have long sleeves). Normal 'wicking' base layer x 2 Mid-layer fleece x 2. Heavy outer fleece jacket. Alternatively, it might be worth having a look at one of the new Primaloft insulated jackets as an alternative to a heavy weight fleece. They tend to be warmer and less bulky than the equivalent fleece jacket. They re windproof and water resistant too. I have a Mountain Equipment Fitzroy jacket, it's the best item of clothing I've ever owned (and 3 / 7

4 that includes my 1980's 'Howard Jones' white jeans). Gore-Tex Jacket. Down Jacket Great for wearing around camp, and worth carrying in your rucksack on summit day if you need to warm-up quickly. Hands A pair of woollen gloves for cooler days. A decent pair of thermal gloves for summit day, go for insulated mittens if you suffer from cold hands. It s wise to take a pair of chemical hand warmers too. Head Sunhat Warm hat one that can be pulled down over the ears. I wear a Lowe Alpine Mountain Cap (windproof, fleece-lined with ear flaps) Snood/ balaclava Sunglasses Head torch and spare batteries 4 / 7

5 Technical Equipment A pair of 12 or 14 point general mountaineering crampons One non-technical ice axe Climbing harness and carabineer (sometimes, we rope up on the summit ridge). An Alpine Bod is best. Other Sun cream (including for lips) Water bottle (2 Litre) Platipus type drinking system (great for approach-days, but the tube will freeze on your climb to the summit, so you need to bring a water bottle too) 3/4 season sleeping bag (good for minus 15C). Sleeping mat. I ve recently started using a Pacific Outdoor Ether Thermo 6 Mat. It s much more comfortable than a basic roll mat. Wash-bag and toiletries; antibacterial hand wash (essential), toilet paper, a packet of travel fresh wipes/ baby wipes, soap, toothbrush/ tooth paste, sanitary towels. Don t forget to take ear plugs in case your tent partner snores! Trek towel 5 / 7

6 First aid kit; include - Paracetomol. antibiotics (for upset stomach), diamox, sort throat tablets, re-hydration tablets, selection of plasters and bandages Trekking poles (optional) Pee bottle Book Insect repellent (75 100% DEET) Camera, batteries (make sure you take a spare fully charged battery) Spare laces Copy of your travel insurance document Passport/ visa Food We provide good quality meals during the climb, but it s always a good idea to bring some food of your own. One of the side effects of climbing to high altitude is a loss of appetite, bringing something extra to eat is a good way of making sure you replace the calories you burn. Some suggestions: 6 / 7

7 Breakfast: Muesli Bars. Porridge sachets with powdered milk/ syrup Lunch/ Snacks: Biltong, (John West) Tuna Fillets, nuts, salami, sweets. Evening Meal: Wayfarer meals are best (but expensive) because they can be boiled in the bag and make no mess. Anything you can add boiling water to, such as Mug Shots or Pot Noodles, also do the job. Corned Beef, tinned Sardines, relish, spices can also be added to the main meal. Rental Options Kit can be rented cheaply locally. It's a bit pick 'n mix, the quality isn't great and it's not particularly cheap. Outdoor Hire provide a comprhensive kit hire service for ascents of Stok Kangri. 7 / 7

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