Gokyo Trek and Sleeping Bag

[Ron Jeremy]

Hi Everyone,

We are doing the Gokyo Trek in early April staying at TeaHouses. A few questions regarding sleeping bags.

1. Do we actually need sleeping bags ?
2. If so what rating do we require (eg +5 degrees)
3. Can we rent them in Kathmandu ?, if so is this recommmended I have heard that the bags for rent in Kathmandu are older bulky bags ? also how much should we budget to rent them ?
4. If we were to buy them in Kathmandu how much would we expect to pay ?
5. Also we fly in to Kathmandu on a Saturday and leave for Llukla fist thing Monday morning - are all camping shops etc open on Saturdays and SUndays ?

[raaj]

Hi Ron
Have you booked Lukla flights? It is difficult to do it in 2 days because Lukla flights are normally heavily booked tourist or no tourist.If you haven,t done it yet I can do it for no service charge.

[Michael]

I would not rent one of those filthy bags in Nepal. Do you have any idea how many dirty bodies have been in them before you? The down is poor quality and the lofting abilities are poor due to quality and cleanliness of down. Bring a good bag from home you will be glad you did when you get up to high altitude and see how cold it gets at nite. My bag is rated to -20 F and is fiberfill rather than down. The new miracle fibers they make bags with these days have made me stop using down as it is virtually worthless if it gets wet or slightly damp and with fiberfill there are no cold spots from down clumping, plus should it get wet or damp it will still keep you toasty on a very cold nite.