Proper equipment is essential for hard/extreme adventures to ensure safety and comfort, especially in terrain as complex as the Himalayas. It is necessary to have a strong backpack, comfortable hiking boots, waterproof and windproof clothing, and other accessories such as gloves, compression vests, and eye protection while traversing through extreme trekking journeys and peak climbing. In addition to making the entire trip easier, well-made equipment offers shielding from the ever-changing weather of the mountains, reducing the chance of discomfort or injury.
For footwear, we recommend running shoes and hiking boots as the primary shoe options. Running shoes are great for easy walking and travel and will come in clutch for you when your ankles are sore from the sturdy boots. Boots are essential for extreme trekking journeys, and a good fit over socks is much more important than the brand of the boots. Several pairs of lightweight and heavy synthetic/woolen socks are also required, and we recommend brands such as Bridgedale, Patagonia, Fox River and Wigwam for comfortable socks. Further, other footwear we recommend during treks are:
- Gaiters: Short and simple gaiters are best for warming up your ankles in extreme cold terrains
- Sport sandals: Sandals are excellent during evenings after you reach your destination for the day, to give a sense of relief to your tired feet
- Down Booties: Down or synthetic booties can also be packed as an optional luxury (Any brand with thick foam soles is recommended)
For your upper-body clothing, we recommend several layers of clothing, including a lightweight long underwear top, a mid-weight long underwear top, a short-sleeved shirts, a jacket synthetic or fleece, a down insulated jacket, and a waterproof breathable jacket. For your lower-body clothing, we recommend several pairs of lightweight pants, lightweight long underwear bottom, mid-weight underwear bottom, and synthetic insulated pants.
In detail, your clothing equipment might include:
- Lightweight pants: Two pairs of Supplex or “stretch woven” pants
- Lightweight long underwear bottom: From Patagonia-Capilene, REI or Mountain Equipment Co-op
- Mid-weight underwear bottom: Dark colors are preferable because they do not show dirt (Patagonia, REI, Mountain Equipment Co-op)
- Briefs: Four pairs synthetic or cotton. Running shorts also work well for underwear
- Synthetic insulated pants: Full side zips are recommended. Acceptable alternatives include fleece pants (Polartec 100 or 200)
- Lightweight long underwear top: From Patagonia-Capilene, REI or Mountain Equipment Co-op
- Mid-weight long underwear top: From Patagonia, North Face or Mountain Hardwear
- Short-sleeved shirts: The shirt material should have vapor wicking capabilities (North Face, Patagonia-Capilene)
- Jacket synthetic or fleece: Primaloft type fill or Polartec 100 or 200 fleece (WildThings, Primaloft, Patagonia)
- Down insulated jacket: Hoods on down jackets are optional but highly recommended. (Marmot, North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia)
- Waterproof breathable jacket & pants: Must have a hood and the pants must have full-length side zips
As for your head and hand gears, we recommend lightweight and synthetic lightweight gloves (Consider gloves from Patagonia), a wool or fleece hat for ear warmth, and a lightweight sun hat for protection from the sun while trekking. Further, other optional headgears can include cotton bandanas, which can be used as a multipurpose tool (over your head or around your neck), and a balaclava for extra warmth under your hat.
Going on extreme treks also requires a good pair of sunglasses, a headlamp with a spare bulb, and spare batteries. As for the camping gear (if necessary), carry a backpack with a pack cover, water bottles, a pack towel, trekking poles, and a Swiss army knife. For medical and personal accessories, we recommend sunscreen, toiletry kits, a first-aid kit, zip-loc bags, and water purification tablets. Optionally, we suggest you carry an expedition duffel bag, nylon stuff sacks, and a passport belt/pouch.
