Gear - what does it all mean?

[Jenny]

I'm doing the ABC trek in mid March (fingers crossed it stays reasonably safe, as I can't wait to go!) but as a complete novice I'm getting confused about what's what in terms of clothing.
I think I need:
- a thermal layer, presumably for up at ABC itself, does this mean fleece trousers & top?
- a base layer, ie T-shirt, preferably polyprop so it dries quicker
- windproof trekking trousers
- fleece mid layer
- wind & waterproof jacket (I've got a cheapish one, not Goretex, already)
- down jacket for cold evenings
Have I got this right?
Sorry to be so dim!
Thanks for all advice offered,
and also to Yakshaver for the calming tone over the last week... (I've hired Surja as guide as Santaman was busy taking you trekking when I'm out there!

[Sharon]

All that and a bit more. When I was first going to Nepal, I surfed the net and took equipment lists off several companies offering treks in Nepal. I came up with my gear list from that info. I only take one cotton tshirt everything else is technical gear so it dries fast and wicks.

[Jenny]

Thanks Sharon. I have looked round various lists, but I'm not sure whether some clothing items are called the different names, eg do fleece trousers count as thermals? I haven't yet been round the shops, but I'd like to sound like less of an idiot before I do, or they'll sell me the entire shop!

I think I've got a reasonable handle on all the non-clothing stuff.

[Sharon]

I am guessing thermals are long underwear and not fleece pants. I take light weight trekking pants, heavier weight trekking pants, fleece for around the lodge, silk long undies to sleep in and windproof pants.

[Lars]

I sure never had any fleece pants. Don't even think I have seen any
while trekking.

Two sets of long thermal underwear, synthetic.
A couple of T-shirts, for when it is rather warm.
Another T-shirt to sleep in.
Four pairs of undwear,
Four pairs of socks.
One pair of soft wooly socks, Nepali. To wear around lodges, in sandals.
Long pants. I use ordinary jeans.
Shorts. Sometimes wore on top of long johns, just for style.
One baseball cap.
One wooly cap.
Thin wind proof jacket.
One fleece jacket.
One down jacket.
One pair of shoes. I have strong ankles and use sneakers.
Maybe a lightweight rain poncho.

That is more or less it as far as clothes go. Based on experience.

One (blue) bar of "laundry soap" comes in handy. It is quite good for
doing laundry when you don't want to rinse 4 times. Twice is enough.
It gives any light colored clothes that shade of grey that serves to tell
that you have been on the road for a while.

[Don Gibson]

Lars, that is really helpful. Thanks!

[alpinetourguide]

it is great to hear people would like to come by preparing big for strategic trip in nepal . some time it made me so happy because some of the trekkers and traveler are can enjoy the wilderness and wild alike.
if you want to do trek completely isolated sort of thing, please just make mind to do . but you can get every kind of thing(gear) here in neapl's trekkingshops.
interm of bringing from your home it will be haevy borden for you.you can prepare evry thing in your tent and sleep there and just beyond the sivilisation and socity.

[Sharon]

Leave the cotton in Kathmandu. NO jeans in your gear. Lars may use jeans but they are slow to dry, heavy when wet or dry and cotton has no warmth. North face, Patagonia, Arcteryx etc all have fleece pants, they pack down small, weight next to nothing and dry quickly if you get them wet or wash them.

[Unregistered]

Don't forget sandals. They are perfect for showers and in the lodge while your boots air/dry out.