trekking Nepal - gear advice

[didgital]

Hi Folks,

I will be visiting Nepal via Tibet at the beginning of November and if all goes well, I hope to stay until the end of December. While I am in Nepal I would like to do several treks, however I have never done this before, so I don't know what to expect as far as the environment and gear requirements are concerned. I have done hiking and camping in the mountains of British Columbia during the summer and fall (not sure what altitude though) but I suspect Nepal is a little different. I have been on a couple of websites, including this one, for trekking and gear recommendations, but I thought I would ask the advice of people who have done treks (if not several times) I appreciate that the recommendations on sites such as this probably come from experienced climbers and trekkers, but I could not find all the answers I am looking for. I'm a budget traveller, so I hope to avoid high cost items if possible, but I understand that some gear must be purchased. So, some questions for all you experienced explorers:

1. Do I need to buy a down sleeping bag (and pad) or is it possible to rent one? If a guide service is used, is this particular gear supplied as part of the cost?

2. I intend to do a number of easy treks and hiking that does not require the services of a guide, in this case, do I require an altimeter? Do I require one regardless of using a guide service?

3. I don't quite understand the duffle bag requirement. I have read that it is recommended to have a good quality duffle bag for the porters to carry, if using a guide service. However, would a decent backpack not be easier for them to carry, not to mention a little better for their backs? Can I use the pack I have, instead of a duffle bag?

4. Based on the time of year I will be in Nepal (Nov-Dec) do I require a down or warm synthetic parka? Perhaps a better question is, at what altitude during this time of year is a down parka required?

5. I have read that some people use one hiking pole, while others use two. What factors come into consideration regarding the number of poles to use?

6. When using a guide service and porters, do you need to bring your own water, or is a large quantity transported for everyone's use? With regard to the easier treks that do not require a guide service, is bottled water available in the towns and villiages?

Well, I think that'a all the questions I have for now. Any help and advice that can be provided will be greatly appreciated. Take care and happy travels everyone.

Best Regards,

D

[James]

1. Do I need to buy a down sleeping bag (and pad) or is it possible to rent one?

You can easily rent or buy in kathmandu. Renting costs about a $1/day.

If a guide service is used, is this particular gear supplied as part of the cost? Most do not supply, but some large organized groups do provide. Even still you will need to watch the quality - you don't want to be cold at night.

2. I intend to do a number of easy treks and hiking that does not require the services of a guide, in this case, do I require an altimeter? Do I require one regardless of using a guide service?

You do not need an Altimeter in either event. Either you or your guide will plan your destinations in advance such that you do not gain too much altitude in one day.

3. I don't quite understand the duffle bag requirement. I have read that it is recommended to have a good quality duffle bag for the porters to carry, if using a guide service. However, would a decent backpack not be easier for them to carry, not to mention a little better for their backs? Can I use the pack I have, instead of a duffle bag?

You will need you own day pack for extra clothes, water, snacks, camera and such your porter, if you use one, will carry the rest. The porters will have their own items to carry as well as yours and they are accustom to carrying a basket, I forget the name for it, on their back with a strap across their foreheads. If you bring a pack they will just throw it in the basket with their stuff. The Napali porters are human marvels.

4. Based on the time of year I will be in Nepal (Nov-Dec) do I require a down or warm synthetic parka? Perhaps a better question is, at what altitude during this time of year is a down parka required?

If you are going to Everest region, you will need down. You'll need it at nights and for early mornings, it is also a nice extra layer if your sleeping bag isn't keeping you warm enough.

5. I have read that some people use one hiking pole, while others use two. What factors come into consideration regarding the number of poles to use?

Poles are personal preference - I like two poles for very steep slopes, either up or down. Others don't care for them at all. Going up hill the poles shift some of the work to your upper body and can help with slipping. Going down hill the poles take some of the load off your knees. If your used to hiking without them, I'm sure you'll be fine without them. I will note, that when I was only using one of my poles (which was most of the time) my guide liked to use my other one.

6. When using a guide service and porters, do you need to bring your own water, or is a large quantity transported for everyone's use? With regard to the easier treks that do not require a guide service, is bottled water available in the towns and villages?

You will carry your own water for use while hiking during the day. Depending where you go, many areas like Everest have tea houses that you will use for your meals and sleeping. You will be able to get tea or drinks as needed. There are many tea houses along the way. Bottled water, soda and beer are all readily available. However, the plastic bottles are not recycled and add to an already big waste problem and should be avoided. The better choice is having your own water bottle and bringing some iodine or such.

I strongly recommend getting a book on trekking in Nepal. There are many to choose from and they will be extremely helpful in preparing you for your trip.

[yakshaver]

James is spot on on the advice, I would just like to add my two bob's worth for a richer perspective...

1. Yes, you can hire a sleeping bag... however, they can be grotty, or they have been washed inapropriately and may be not very effective. We are talking December at altitude in Nepal, it can be very cold at night, and you need a warm sleeping bag. With about 100 dollars you can buy a pretty warm new one in Thamel. I would suggest hiring a downe jacket, they are quite ok in quality, generally.
You don't need a mattress if you intend to sleep in lodges. If you want to trek more remotely and sleep in a tent, then yes, you do. For your "easy" treks you should not need to tent.

2. Agree with James, an altimeter is not required on any "easy" or even more difficult treks, if you a) have a guide, or b) talk to the locals, lodge owners etc.

3. Duffel bag - see James's comments.

4. Yes, downe jacket is really welcome at this time of the year. You can hire it from Thamel or Pokhara for 1 dollar a day. I hope you planned to have a good wind jacket, like a gore-tex or something...

5. I also use two trekking poles, like James. I find that I get less tired, and my knees don't hurt after a long steep descent (25% of the body weight is transfered to the upper body/arms). You also achieve better balance: "Two legs bad, four legs good" as George Orwell proclaimed... You can of course just get some cheap wooden sticks and achieve almost the same outcome. Not quite the same, because the aluminium trekking poles are lighter and more ergonomically designed. Preference plays an important part, as James sais.

6. treat the water (easily as treating pills are available in thamel), buy boiled water from lodges (widely available in both Annapurna and Everest, as well as Langtang), drink the nice teas or hot lemonades available at all lodges. Occasionally you can splash out on a can of coke or a beer. If you trek in the popular trekking areas, there's no need to fret about hydration. Annapurna has a ban on plastic bottles, Everest unfortunately still does not... You can purchase bottled water, but James is right. It's a terrible thing to do in any country, never mind one like Nepal where recycling is almost non existent.

Yes, and buy (and read) the Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya (Stan Armington). Or perhaps Stephen Bezrichka's trekking in Nepal, although the last edition is from about 1997... Or if you wish a compressed, easy to carry on trek set of guide booklets for the major treks go to yetizone.com and order them from Ian. These even come on CD. If you purchase the CD version, all you need is a nice wide screen notebook, a power pack, or a few sets of batteries, and an extra porter to carry all these... Just kidding...

[jamie]

Hi guys
I am doing EBC in mid November and was planning on hiring a down jacket. Should I do this in Ktm before flying to Lukla? Or will I be able to hire one in Lukla? Also, do you think I will need the warmth prior to reaching Namche, because if so I could even try to hire one there...?
Appreciate your thoughts,

Jamie

[niyatri]

Hello Jamie,
Advance congra for EBC trek. Regarding down jacket ,better to carry and it is available in Namche probably in Lukla too. If you could not meet any trekking companions to EBC ,I would love to acompany you up to namche or one day up if you prefer .please keep in contact at
niyatri@yahoo.com

[yakshaver]

Unlike niyatri, I have no experience with Lukla or Namche, but I know for sure you can hire them in Thamel. Since it only costs about 1 dollar or so a day, I would get one there. There may be more choice in Thamel than in Namche. But I am guessing about Namche or Lukla.

[Boulia]

Hi Jamie

I usually hire in KTM. By Mid Nov you will need it before Namche, at least that is to say, I invariably do. Lulka, never bothered to look closely but there are shops with things for hire.

enjoy you time over there.

[Unregistered]

don't forget to bring your mommy just in case and make sure you spend lots of money on yourself buying expensive jackets clothes ect. this way you can stay in your cacoon and it is easier to ignore the abject poverty in the areas outside the trekking autobahns.

[yakshaver]

Unregistered,

I guess every place in the world has some level of social injustice. For example USA is conducting a murderous "war on terror" in Irak, and can't even look after it's own troubled citizens in the wake of a natural disaster. Does that mean one should not travel there? Maybe just stay at home. Even at home, some wrong might have been commited at some stage, by you or others, so a better idea might be to end everything: just kill yourself. Eh?

Despite all the problems with wealth distribution, and Government favouring certain areas while tightly controlling others, the people of Nepal need tourism just as much as tourists need to see the awesome Himalaya and the amazing people of Nepal.

Get a grip, take a bigger chill pill and go to bed. Maybe you'll feel better about yourself tomorrow.

[MikeyH]

Quality Yakshaver! :p

[Pesty]

A few post earlier Lonely Planet , a good read, and Bezrucha's book--now very old were mentioned. I notice that few refer to Jamie McGuiness' Trekking in the Everest Region which specialises in the region. It is a close call between the Lonely Planet and McGuiness with the latter giving lots of tips and side trips for the Khumbu. Just thought I'd mention it

[yakshaver]

Lonely Planet's Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya (Stan Armington) and Stephen Bezruchka's Trekking in Nepal are both excellent overall guides - guides to read and consult before you trek. I believe either of them, even better both, are a must read for anyone considering trekking. Unless you want be totally surpried. Or you might get your information in other ways, though it could not be to a comparable depth to reading the above mentioned books. Nothing else compares in my view, if you want to know about trekking in Nepal, overall.

The more specialised trekking in the Everest Region, and Trekking in the Annapurna Region (I also think there is a Trekking in Langtang) give a bit more detail, and also the emphasis is a bit different at times. The one criticism I have with these offerings is that they spend a lot of time/print space on Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley.

yetizone.com has also good, concise (therefore very transportable) guides on the three mosty popular trekking regions in Nepal.

[Linwood]

don't forget to bring your mommy just in case and make sure you spend lots of money on yourself buying expensive jackets clothes ect. this way you can stay in your cacoon and it is easier to ignore the abject poverty in the areas outside the trekking autobahns.


And furthermore, I don't see how anyone can ignore the poverty anywhere in Nepal. Not possible. The minute you step outside of Tribhuvan, it will hit you over the head.

Go there and spend money! Find a way to help, but try to be skillful about it, eh? Pencils and books rather than rupees and bonbons. Sponsor your guide/porter's child to go to a better school. Research some of the organizations there who are doing good work, and volunteer or make a donation.

Linwood