Preparing for the Everest Base Camp Trek

Getting ready for my first big trek seemed like a daunting task. The Everest Base Camp Trek is popular enough that guides aren't necessary and porters are optional. When deciding what gear I was going to bring, I gathered as much information as possible from blogs, websites, books and people, and hoped for the best! When trekking without a porter, your worst nightmare is to be carrying a bag full of useless stuff. The recommended average weight to carry is 10kg – which already sounded heavy to me! I wanted to make sure I brought the strict minimum, without missing anything important. It turns out that I made every single right decision with what to pack (if I do say so myself). The only unnecessary thing which I took was a clothes line since the lodges have their own outside – luckily, it was very light to carry! While I was trekking, I was constantly amazed at how everything I brought was just right! I didn’t miss anything or regret carrying extra stuff. Also, I was able to carry it all myself during the entire trek – my bag weighed just under 12 kg.

Here’s a list of what I brought with me on the Everest Base Camp Trek in the month of October (high season). I bought 90% of my gear in Kathmandu, in the very affordable gear shops of Thamel. I hope this information is helpful to future EBC trekkers!

Gear for the Everest Base Camp Trek

It all starts with a good back-pack: mine was 40 liters - bigger than you need because my sleeping bag went inside. If yours can be clipped on the outside then you can use a smaller bag. As for a sleeping bag, I would say it's essential, but our American friend proved us wrong by doing the entire EBC without one. Mine was in down, suitable for -30 degrees Celsius. I loved cuddling in it at night! It was a bit heavy and bulky to carry, but I would not have been a happy camper without it! Although in low altitude I had to take my pajamas off as it was too warm in there, it was perfect and cozy in high altitude. The lodges provide blankets but they don't wash them so I used them as a mattress protector in low altitude, and over my sleeping bag higher up. Also, a few shops in Thamel rent them for 50 rupees per day which is cheap and easy if you don't want to invest in your own. You leave a deposit and they reimburse you the different upon returning the sleeping bag.  

Clothing

• 3 quick-drying t-shirts and 1 tank top (optional) used mainly as a pajama top.

• 2 pairs of trousers: 1 light and un-zippable to make shorts in lower altitude, 1 thick, warm, wind and water proof for higher altitude.

• Thermal leggings to wear under your trekking trousers in cold weather and in the lodge at night. 
• Yoga pants for pajama bottoms and to be worn in lower altitude trekking (optional).

• Thermal long sleeve t-shirt to be worn as a warm layer, in the lodge at night or as a warm pajama top. I wore this a lot.
• Fleece as a warm, thick layer.

• Rain coat: must have Gortex or rain and wind-proof exterior as well as a hood.
• Inside layer in down or similar material for added warmth. I did not use this one a lot, but I was sure glad I had in on the Base camp day.  

• Hat, neck-warmer and gloves (most people used a sunhat as well). Thinner gloves can be useful in lower altitude, but I was glad I had the thick ones on the Base Camp day.

• 5 pairs of socks and underwear: you will need to hand wash during your acclimatization days.

Footwear

• Hiking boots: must be water-proof for rain, snow, slush or mud (we experienced all 4 on our trek!) You can see both mine and Chris’ on the picture below. 
• Indoor shoes, either flip-flops, Crocs, slippers, or other comfortable footwear to rest your feet in the lodge and use when going to the toilet at night. You will appreciate getting out of your boots to let your feet breathe and boots to dry, but they are optional. 

Other items

• Flashlight or head torch: Some lodges get dark at night or use solar power which produces weak lighting if at all.
• Trekking poles: they helped me tremendously – it was the first time I used poles when trekking and would not go without now that I know how useful they are both for uphill and downhill.
• Snacks: I had enough granola bars and chocolate for every day of the trek, but I found I lacked proteins rather than carbohydrates so I would recommend nuts as well/instead. The chocolate was perfect for those weak moments of low blood-sugar.
• Entertainment: playing cards are a good idea, as well as one good book and a notebook to write down your thoughts. The lodges can get boring and there’s little chance you will stay up later than 9pm! I also had an Ipod to listen to music at night when reading was too strenuous and the lodges were noisy. Ear plugs will also do the trick! 

Toiletries

Apart from the usual (I won’t remind you to bring a toothbrush), here are must-haves:

• Moisturizer: your skin is bound to suffer from the sun, wind and cold.
• Lip balm with SPF: this is no joke, many of us got serious and painful lip sunburns!
• Sunscreen: not only for your face, I was shocked when parts under my neck burned from the sun’s reflection on the snow
• Diamox tablets: you never know how your body will react to altitude. 4/6 in our group used Diamox to help relieve symptoms of altitude mountain sickness.
• Water purification tablets: unless you want to spend a fortune and contribute to polluting the Himalayas, you will have a re-usable water bottle, fill it with tap water, then purify it with chlorine or iodine. Some like to add vitamins or electrolyte powder to improve the taste and give extra energy.
• Quick-drying towel and a flannel (optional) to hand-wash without freezing to death (hot showers start at 300 rupiahs and prices go up and up with the altitude)
• Wet wipes: water from the cold showers is frozen, hot showers are expensive (you will treat yourself once in a while but not every night) so the alternative to keep yourself clean is to use wet-wipes! They are practical and pack light.
• Tea or coffee sachets: hot drinks start out affordable and get more and more expensive on the way. A good tip to save a few bucks is to bring your own tea bags or instant coffee mix, although you will be charged for a cup of hot water. Note that caffeine isn’t recommended in high altitude so go easy!  
• Decent map (scale 1:60,000) and trekking guide book
• Other items include: nail clippers, scissors, band-aids, your choice or ibuprofen or paracetemol, sunglasses, hand sanitizer (there aren’t always sinks available), shower gel (I used it as my soap, body wash and shampoo - fancy!), toilet paper (2 good quality rolls lasted me 2 weeks) and tissue (don’t be stingy on the quality, you will blow your nose a lot and dry out your skin). 

I will add information on what to expect with the lodges, food and amenities on the Everest Base Camp trek in further posts.