22 May 2021 Prakash Devkota
Mountaineering in Nepal is an exhilarating adventure that lets you summit many pristine snowy peaks. The climbing preparation is not only limited to checking itineraries and increasing physique. You also need the right gears and equipment, so we made a Mountain Climbing Equipment List.
Weight is always a consideration as mountain climbing is not a light activity. You need to carry many things along with the basic stuff to survive in the Himalayas. The Mountain Climbing Equipment list is determined with the length of the climb, remoteness of the location, and weather.
Peak Climbing is generally straightforward and uses fixed ropes and guides for completion. You need to bring along many gears so, and our Mountain Climbing Equipment List will be helpful.
Essential Mountain Climbing Equipment List
The below written Mountain Climbing Equipment List is regularly used while mountaineering. But the few of the Mountain climbing Equipment listed below are helpful in outdoor and indoor rock climbing. Read further to know more about the gears:
Climbing Equipment
- Climbing Helmet
- Crampons
- Climbing Harness
- Ice Ax
- Multi- Led headlamp
- Ascender
- Locking and non-locking Carabiners
- Ski poles
- Rappel/ Belay device
- Slings
- Ropes
- Lightweight pulleys
- Prusik Cords
- Avalanche Transceiver
Upper Body Cloths
- Lightweight Merino t-shirt
- Lightweight Merino long sleeve t-shirt
- Medium weight fleece pullover
- Fleece jacket
- Breathable and Waterproof jacket with a large hood that can fit the helmet
- Lightweight down jacket
- Warm down/ duvet suit
- Lightweight thermal base layers
Lower Body Cloths
- Lightweight underwear briefs
- Walking shorts
- Walking trouser
- Lightweight thermal bottoms
- Heavy thermal bottoms
- Fleece trouser
- Waterproof and breathable trousers with full side zips
- Warm down/ duvet bibs
Handwear
- Lightweight poly-liner gloves
- Medium weight gloves
- Warm fleece mitt liner paired with over mitt
Headwear
- Synthetic or warm wool hat that covers the ears
- Scarf, buff, or neck sleeve
- Head Scarf or Bandana
- Balaclava
- Sun cap/ hat
- Face mask
- Ski goggles (light or dark lens optional)
- Eyes and nose coverage eyewear
- Glacier sunglass
Footwear
- Medium or heavy wool or poly socks
- Poly or wool Liner socks
- Lightweight trekking socks
- Lightweight wool or cotton socks
- Overboot or good quality plastic shell Aveolite liners with inner boot
- Sturdy synthetic or leather hiking boots with good ankle
- Cross trainers or running shoes
- Down boot (optional)
Travel Bags
- Medium rucksack (3000- 4500 cubic inches/ 50- 70 litre)
- Large waterproof duffle kit bag (7500 cubic inch/ 120 L)
- Pack cover
- Small and protective padlocks
Sleeping Gear
- Down sleeping bag for high altitude (rated to handle -35 / -30 )
- Additional sleeping bag for base camp (rated to handle -20 / -30)
- Closed-cell foam mat for base camp and high altitude
Personal Hygiene
- High SPF Sunscreen
- Moisturizer
- Body lotion
- Anti-mosquito cream
- toothbrush/ paste set
- Hand sanitizer
- Synthetic towel
- Wet Wipes and toilet paper
- Bar soap
First-aid Kit
- Small personal kit including aspirin, band-aids, tape, personal medication, etc
- Personal medication with prescription
- Skin blister repair kit
- Small bottle anti-diarrhea pills
- Small bottle anti- headache pills
- Small bottle cough medicine
- Water treatment tablets
- Water filters
- Antibiotics for chest or stomach
Personal Food
- Chocolate Bars
- Dried fruits
- Honey and Banana
- Synergy and granola bars
- Nuts such as cashews and almonds
- String cheese
- Tortilla wraps
- Caffeinated gel packets
Miscellaneous Items
- Sewing kit
- Small roll of repair tape
- Compass or GPS
- Alarm clock/ watch
- Digital camera with extra batteries and sd-card
- Nylon sacks for food and gear storage
- Water bottle
- Plastic cup and spoon
- Folding knife
- Binoculars
- Large waterproof disposable garbage bags
- Cash for personal use
- Credit or debit cards to withdraw money from machines
- iPod/ mp3 player, Gameboy, books, travel games, short-wave radio, etc
- Earplugs
Travel Document
- Passport
- Extra passport size photos
- Flight ticket and tour itinerary
- Separate copies of passport and relevant visa pages
- Proof of insurance
Top 5 Mountains to Climb in Nepal
Mera Peak
If you are looking forward to summiting one of the many trekking peaks of Nepal, then Mera Peak is an excellent choice for you. It offers the most exemplary scenarios of the Himalayas, as you can see 5 out of the six tallest peaks from the top.
Mera Peak lies in the Mahalangur section and Barun sub-section of the Himalaya in the Sagarmatha Zone. This mountain is a trekking peak located at 6476 m elevation in the Hinku valley.
The Mera Peak area was first explored in the early ’50s by the British expedition after the Everest ascend. The Mera central first ascent was on May 20, 1953, by Col. Jimmy Roberts and Sen Tenzing.
Likewise, Mera North was first ascended in 1975 by French climbers, but some people state it was first climbed on October 29, 1973. The southwest pillar was preferably climbed in 1986 by Mal Duff and Ian Tattersall.
Mera Peak climbing is challenging in terms of elevation but requires only basic mountaineering skills to tackle the glaciers and technicality. It is a fantastic pick for your first expedition experience.
You get to see many mountains over 8000 m such Mt. Everest (8848.86 m), Mt. Lhotse (8516 m), Mt, Cho Oyu (8201 m), Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586 m), and Mt. Makalu (8463 m).
Your Mera Peak Climbing begins with a picturesque flight to Lukla, then the trek to Paiya. From there, you walk every day and stay in several villages such as Pangoma, Nigmsa, Chhetri Khola, Kothe, Thagnok, and Khare.
Your trek comes to a stop at Khare, where you acclimatize and prepare for the upper region climb. Then again, continuing your expedition, you head to Mera base camp then Mera High camp.
After you arrive in High camp, you summit the peak and descend to Khare. From there, you trek down to Kothe, Thuli Kharka, then Lukla, and fly back to Kathmandu.
On your Mera Peak expedition, you also cross Zawtra La pass, one of the high passes. The Mera Peak Climbing itinerary is 18 days long in the Khumbu region of Nepal.
Read More: Mera Peak Difficulty | Mera Peak Gear List | Best Time for Mera Peak
Island Peak
At 6189 m, Island peak is a stunning mountain to climb for beginners in the Himalayas. Climbing this peak is probably the most affordable and most accessible way to acquire a high-altitude experience.
Imja Tse is another name for Island peak that lies inside the Sagarmatha National park in the eastern part of Nepal. The mountain appears to look like an island in a sea of ice from Dingboche, so it got the name Island peak.
Climbing Island Peak offers just the right amount of challenges for climbers searching for training exercises before the 7000 to 8000 m climb. The route is straightforward and has a few technical sections.
The Island peak trail leads you through the stunning alpine scenarios and traditional Sherpa village. You also visit the ancient Buddhist monastery and stay in tea houses run by the Sherpa families.
The Island Peak summit provides the best close-up view of Mount Everest. You also get to view many 6000 to 8000 m peaks throughout your journey. They are Lhotse, Nuptse, Lhotse Shar, Baruntse, Ama Dablam, Makalu, and many more.
Your first fly to Lukla, then trek to Phakding and to Namche, where you acclimatize for a day. After that, you head to Tengboche, Dingboche, and Island Peak Base Camp.
You again acclimatize in the base camp and explore around the valley. The next day, you summit the Island peak and return to the Island base camp. Then you retrace the trails back to Dingboche, Namche, and Lukla.
From Lukla, you catch the scenic flight back to Kathmandu. The Island Peak climb is about 15 days long and takes you through the beauty of the Everest region.
Read More: Island Peak Difficulty | Best Time for Island Peak | Permits for Island Peak
Lobuche Peak
Lobuche Peak resting at 6119 m altitude, is a remarkable trekking peak of Nepal. The summit of this peak provides you with panoramic views of breathtaking landscapes, valleys, and mountains.
Lobuche Peak lies near the Khumbu Glacier and the Lobuche settlement. This mountain has two main points: Lobuche East (6119 m), a trekking peak, and Lobuche West (6145 m), an expedition peak.
As the east mountain is a trekking peak, it is climbed more regularly than the west mountain. You need a permit from Nepal Mountaineering Association to do the climb.
Lobuche East was first ascended on April 25, 1984, by Laurence Nielson and Sherpa Ang Gyalzen. Lobuche West was first climbed via the south shoulder in 1955.
The trails to Lobuche Peak offer you awe-spiring views of Khumbu valley, glaciers, and landscapes. The Lobuche peak climb also provides you astonishing sights of Everest, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Lhotse, and others.
Lobuche Peak itinerary takes more than a week or two from your schedule to finish the journey. You start by flying to Lukla, then following the Classic Everest base camp trail; you arrive at Lobuche.
From here, you head towards Lobuche village, then trek to Lobuche High Camp. After that, you summit Lobuche peak the next day and return to the base camp. The following day, you trek down to Pangobche, then to Namche, and finally Lukla.
From Lukla, you fly back to Kathmandu, ending the Lobuche Peak Climb. The expedition requires technical climbing knowledge and a high level of physical fitness.
Read more: Lobuche Peak Difficulty | Lobuche vs Island peak | Lobuche Climbing Cost
Larke Peak
Larke Peak is a newly opened expedition in the Manaslu region by the government of Nepal. This climb tests your endurance and determination providing you with a true sense of accomplishment.
Larke Peak lies at a 6219 m elevation whose summit rewards you with the most magical view of the mountains and landscapes. The trails of this peak are home to the Sherpa and Tamang communities that follow Tibetan Buddhism.
You witness several endangered animals like snow leopard, musk deer, blue sheep, red panda, grey wolf, langur, Himalayan black bear, etc. You also walk through the beautiful rhododendron forests blossoming in pink, white and red.
The trek begins with a scenic drive to Soti Khola, then trek to Maccha Khola, Jagat, Deng, Namrung, Shya, and Sama Gaun. Arriving at Sama Gaun, you have your first acclimatization here.
Then you head to Samdo, where your second acclimatization is held. Continuing your trek, you head to Larkya Pedhi, then Larkya Base Camp, High Camp, and finally summit the Larkya peak.
From there, you head down to Bhimthang via Larkya La Pass and then to Dharapani. The next day, you trek to Syange and drive back to Kathmandu. After returning to the capital, your journey comes to a halt.
Chulu Far East Peak
Chulu Far East is a hidden peak located in the Annapurna region. This region has several trekking destinations that offer you stunning views of nature and landscapes.
The Chulu Far East Peak has one of the most leisurely climbing trips in the Annapurna region. The Chulu Massif resides north of Marsyangdi Khola in the Manang region and is a part of the Manang Himal and Damodar Himal.
Many combine the Chulu Far East Peak climb with the more famous Annapurna Circuit Trek. There are three Chulu peaks, and out of them, the Far east peak is straightforward and fun to climb with no previous technical requirement.
However, the scree slopes and steep terrain adds challenges to your journey. But the beautiful view of Annapurna massif, Pisang Peak, Chulu West, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Gangapurna looks incredible from the summit of Chulu Far East Peak.
Your Chulu Far East Peak Climb begins by driving to Chame then trekking to Pisang. From there, you travel through Humde village, then to Julu Khola, where you acclimatize.
From there, you head to Chulu Far East Base Camp, where your second acclimatize is held. Then you trek to Chulu Far East High Camp, summit the peak the next day, and descend to base the same day.
From the base camp, you trek to Manang, then to Siri Kharka, Tilicho Base Camp, and Tilicho Lake. You explore the lake and head to Yak Kharka via the Mesokanto La Pass the following day.
Heading down, you trek to Jomsom, then fly back to Pokhara and drive back to Kathmandu from there. This 20 Days Chulu Far East Peak journey is adventurous and thrilling till the end.
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Essential Climbing Gears and Equipment