Everest Base Camp Trek - Gear List
Overview
- Each item on the list below is required unless specified to be optional.
- If seasonal fluctuations impact the requirement for an item on your list, it will be specified.
- Item images represent one product suggestion for that item.
- Item images may or may not reflect the model of item available for rent.
RENTAL RESERVATION INSTRUCTIONS
- Items with a price & check box may be rented.
- Check the box of any item you desire to rent.
- Complete the personal detail section at the bottom of the page, and click submit.
- If you are a non-Alpine Ascents climber seeking rental equipment, please inquire via email.
FURTHER RESOURCES
- If you wish to learn more about any piece of gear, the online Gear Lexicon is available 24/7.
- A printable/downloadable PDF version of the Gear Lexicon may also be accessed here.
- For in-depth articles, pro-tips, and advice on select subjects, check out our blog.
- Our experienced staff are happy to speak with you via phone, or via email.
- The Alpine Ascents Gear Store offers a wide range of products to suit your needs. All registered climbers are welcome to utilize the discount code contained in your confirmation materials.
From Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp
During this trek you will fly and walk from below 5,000 feet in Kathmandu to the top of Kala Patthar, which looks down on Everest Base Camp from above 18,000 feet of elevation. During this journey you’ll pack and repack a few times, living out of your backpack during the day and accessing the rest of your gear in your dzo or porter-transported duffel bag at night.
You will use four different types of luggage for this trip:
- Trekking Backpack – 32-40 liters, enough to carry light snacks, layers, water, and any other accessories during the day.
- Small Duffel – carry-on luggage for travels to Kathmandu, useful for storing items at the hotel during the trek.
- Travel Luggage – whether in the form of a large duffel or suitcase, you’ll need some kind of luggage to transport all of your gear to Nepal.
- Trekking Duffel – provided by Alpine Ascents in Kathmandu, this will hold all of your gear during the trek, though you may opt to use your own instead.
Read below to better understand the flow of this trip through its various stages.
STAGE 1 – TRAVEL TO NEPAL
Pack everything (except for a few items mentioned below) into your travel luggage and check it in with your airline. Flat pack your trekking pack inside this luggage.
Pack your small duffel (or similar) as your carry-on, being sure to include any usual comfort items for international air travel. Staying relaxed in the days prior to your expedition will contribute to your acclimatization! Pro tip: we typically fly with our hiking boots in our carry-on baggage. In the event of lost luggage broken-in boots are impossible to replace in Kathmandu, while other gear list items can be found in local shops.
STAGE 2 – TRIP PREP IN KATHMANDU
You’ve arrived to Kathmandu, the bustling capital of Nepal! Here, we take the time to do a thorough gear check and explore the city. At the gear check, you will be issued an Alpine Ascents trekking duffel to use during the trek.
After our gear check, we’ll pack as outlined below:
- Small duffel & travel luggage – pack up anything you want to leave behind, and plan to store it at your hotel during the trek.
- Trekking pack – your trekking clothes and footwear go in this bag, along with your water bottles, trekking poles, hydration mixes for your water bottles, some extra snacks, camera, and a few layers sufficient for an all-day trek. Your guides will assess the weather forecast and give specific coaching.
- Trekking duffel – everything else is packed into this duffel bag, which will be ported for you from teahouse to teahouse. Note that you will NOT have access to this duffel bag until you arrive to the teahouse for the night, so ensure you have what you need in your trekking pack.
STAGE 3 – AIR TRAVEL TO LUKLA
Whether by helicopter or airplane (logistics change all the time in Nepal – remember to be patient and adaptable!), we will make our way to Lukla, at 9,383 feet. We travel wearing our trekking kit, because our trekking duffels will not be accessible until the evening once they have been loaded for travel. Everything you will need for a day of trekking should be carried with you in your trekking pack.
STAGE 4 – TREKKING TO BASE CAMP
Each day from here forward, we will repack our trekking duffel from the night’s use and turn them over to local staff, who will ensure they arrive to our next destination for the night. Our trekking pack will hold what we need during the day each day, and coaching will be provided on how many layers will be needed.
After an incredible time trekking and seeing base camp, we’ll reverse the process all the way back to Kathmandu.
Thoroughly enjoyed the course. Felt like it was top quality and really well done. Guides were extremely knowledgeable and conveyed the information in a clear and concise manner. I feel prepared to use the skills in future climbs with some practice on my part. Baker school component offered those of us who live at sea […]