The following gives you a general idea of the trekking and climbing equipment and clothing needed for this adventure.
This is a porter-supported trip. Two clients share one porter. We will supply you a trek duffel bag where you keep your heavy items and this bag is carried by the porter. You will need to bring your own daypack to be carried by you. In the daypack, you can put money, important documents, water bottle/bladder, camera, toiletries, sunscreen, notebook, etc. And, as for the camping equipment, it will have already been set up at the base camp. Tents, kitchen accessories and group climbing equipment (i.e. climbing rope, ice screw, snow bar, and ice hammer) are provided by the company.
The weight limit for Kathmandu-Lukla-Kathmandu flights is 15 kg or 33 pounds. This is combining both the duffel bag and the daypack. If you exceed this limit, you will have to pay an additional fee. When this happens, sometimes the airline sends your bag in later flights and this can be very problematic for many reasons. So, we recommend you to pack as carefully as you can and not exceed the weight limit. You can leave your non-trekking and non-climbing stuff at the locker facility in the Kathmandu hotel.
<h4 class="section__heading">Climbing Gear</h4>
The climbing equipment is more expensive to buy. So, please let us know if you want to rent the equipment at the additional cost of USD 200 per person. The following are essential for climbing the Island Peak.
<ul class="clearfix">
<li>1 pair plastic shell mountaineering boots with high altitude liners</li>
<li>1 pair of crampons (steel, no aluminum)</li>
<li>1 Alpine climbing harness</li>
<li>1 mountaineering axe with leash (sized properly for your height)</li>
<li>1 ascender (right or left handed as appropriate)</li>
<li>1 belay device (Black Diamond ATC or ATC Guide are good options.)</li>
<li>2 D-shaped locking carabiners</li>
<li>2 non-locking carabiners</li>
<li>1 pair of expedition-style gaiters</li>
<li>Neck gaiter</li>
<li>Ski goggles</li>
<li>Climbing helmet</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="section__heading">General</h4>
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<li>4-season sleeping bag (We can provide one if you need it but has to be returned after the trek.)</li>
<li>Duffel bag (We will provide one complimentary Ace the Himalaya duffel bag which is yours to keep.)</li>
<li>Daypack</li>
<li>Down jacket (Must have for mornings, nights and evenings, and for altitudes above 4,000 m; We can provide it if you need one but has to be returned after the trek.)</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="section__heading">Upper Body – Head / Ears / Eyes</h4>
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<li>Sun hat (We will provide you a complimentary Ace the Himalaya hat.)</li>
<li>Wool or synthetic hat that cover the ears</li>
<li>Sunglasses with 100% UV protection</li>
<li>Headlamp</li>
<li>Neck warmer</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="section__heading">Hand</h4>
<ul class="clearfix">
<li>Liner gloves</li>
<li>Heavier shell gloves</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="section__heading">Core Body</h4>
<ul class="clearfix">
<li>T-shirts</li>
<li>Lightweight expedition thermal tops</li>
<li>Fleece jacket or pullover</li>
<li>Water/windproof shell jacket (Preferably breathable fabric)</li>
<li>Synthetic sports bras (For women)</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="section__heading">Lower Body – Legs</h4>
<ul class="clearfix">
<li>Lightweight expedition thermal bottoms</li>
<li>Nylon hiking shorts</li>
<li>Soft shell and hard shell trekking pants</li>
<li>Water/windproof trousers</li>
<li>Casual pants</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="section__heading">Feet</h4>
<ul class="clearfix">
<li>Liner socks</li>
<li>Heavyweight socks</li>
<li>Waterproof hiking/trekking boots</li>
<li>Light shoes/sneakers/sandals</li>
<li>Gaiters (For monsoon and winter)</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="section__heading">Medicines and First Aid Kits</h4>
(Please note our guide will carry the first-aid kit bag during the trek. However we still recommend you to bring your personalized first-aid kit as well.)
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<li>Extra Strength Excedrin for altitude related headaches</li>
<li>Ibuprofen for general aches and pains</li>
<li>Immodium or Pepto Bismol capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea</li>
<li>Diamox (commonly prescribed as Acetazolamide) 125 or 250mg tablets for altitude sickness</li>
<li>Anti-infection ointments</li>
<li>Band-aids</li>
<li>Lip balm (At least SPF 20)</li>
<li>Sunscreen (SPF 40)</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="section__heading">Miscellaneous, but Important!</h4>
<ul class="clearfix">
<li>Passport and extra passport photos (3 copies)</li>
<li>Airline ticket (Please make a copy and leave one at our office in Kathmandu just in case if you need to change the date of your flight.)</li>
<li>Durable wallet/pouch for travel documents, money & passport</li>
<li>Water bottle/bladder</li>
<li>Water purification Iodine tablets</li>
<li>Toiletry kit (Be sure to include toilet paper stored in a plastic bag, hand wipes, and liquid hand sanitizer, towel, soap, etc.)</li>
</ul>
<h4 class="section__heading">Optional</h4>
<ul class="clearfix">
<li>Adjustable trekking poles</li>
<li>Favorite snack foods (No more than 2 pounds)</li>
<li>Paperback books, cards, mp3 player</li>
<li>Binoculars</li>
<li>Cameras (Memory cards, chargers and also batteries)</li>
<li>Pee bottle for men and pee funnel for woman</li>
</ul>
