Womens issues on a Trek

[LTLFTC]

We are going on a 24 day trek to Makalu BC across sherpani col to Khumbu. Camping.
I was showing my wife all the equipment lists and she made the comment that none of them were women. So....
Any of the ladies (or guys wishing to get in touch with there fenimine side:p ) that could help out here with all those things the ladies need to consider. (Not talking about makeup!!) would be appreciated.
In case this is G rated I'm happy to receive PM's cheers :)

[Petrus]

I have been on high altitude treks with plenty of women and they never had any particular problems. I assume your wife has been camping before and knows what it is like. What is different to a "normal" hiking trip is the lack of washing facilities or even natural opportunities (nice warm streams with pictoresque waterfalls) to wash exept maybe in the tent from a bucket as the camping places might be quite open. For the same reason many ladies like to trek in a light long skirt which provides cover in open country "situations". You will also be outside medical help for some weeks, she should take some woman specific medicines for infections (vaginal, urinary tract) just in case, espcially if she tends to get those in reduced hygiene camping situations. Generic names are enough, the pills themselves are amazingly cheap in Kathmandu pharmacies and there is no need for prescriptions. Get also Tiniba for giardia (4x500=2000 mg once) and Diamox for AMS.

So just add some gender specific underwear, maybe a long trekking skirt like Macabi skirt (macabiskirt.com), some antibiotics and such plus enough of those undescript things ladies lug around in their toilet bags needed once a moon...

Make-up can be left behind...

[Sharon]

After 7 treks there is really not much of a problem. I have never worn skirts etc. Longer shorts or trekking pants. Take lots of lip balm as the sun and altitude dries out the lips. Wet ones and TP which is standard for men as well.
Extra tampons etc as I find that flying/ crossing time zones tends to bring it one. Nothing to be concerned about. She should have a great time.

[julia]

I agree with Petrus, the lack of washing facilities is probably the main thing, most days I managed to get hold of a bowl of water from somewhere. In camping shops in England, you can buy portable bowls, plastic, a light weight foldable bowl, I didn't take it this time and wished I had. Wet wipes are a necessity.

I also took my moisturisers, ie: hand cream, body cream and face cream, 3 things I cant live without, and baby talc is really good. If a shower was available I usually didn't use it unless it was during the day, when it was still warm, you can sit in the sun and get your hair dry, sitting around in the evening with wet hair is not a good idea, I made that mistake twice and didn't do it again.

Julia :)

[Sharon]

You will find on an expedition style trek as opposed to tea house. they will have wash water for you at every meal as well as in the mroning. I got in the habit of having washs water at the end of the day also. It is much eaiser to stay clean when you are camping.

[LTLFTC]

Thanks for the posts:)