Accessories required for Peak Climbing
Peak climbing, the adventure sport, is a mountaineering climbing similar to expedition but climbing is done for small peaks averaging a height of 600m – 7000m. Nevertheless, peak climbing is much easier than expedition. This article gives you a list of accessories to help you pack for trekking and peak climbing. You need to understand that the accessories listed below is simply a brief guideline and may vary depending the season and the duration of your trek. We also provide some of the accessories for your convenience. The accessories with an asterisk below are provided by Black Diamond Expedition on condition that you return them as your climbing finishes. Our porters carry your luggage and the less valueable items. However, we do recommend that you carry a daypack with your valuables or anything important on your own. We also understand that you will pack only the essential accessories. Please, note that you do not require most of the equipment listed below from your country. Many of them can be hired in Kathmandu.
Important documents and items:
1. Valid passport
2 Extra passport size photographs and airline tickets
2. Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport) and proof of insurance
3. Dollars in cash for obtaining Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport
4. Credit cards, Debit cards or any other Bank cards for withdrawing money from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards)
Personal Climbing Gears:
1. Ice axe
2. Crampons
3. Harness
4. Two pieces of Tape slings
5. Two lock and two unlock Screw gate karabiners
6. Eight Figure Descender
7. Plastic mountaineering boots
8. Ascender/Jhumar
9. Helmet
Group Climbing Gears
1. Snow bar*
2. Rope*
3. Ice hammer*
4. Ice screw*
5. Head Bandana or scarf for dusty conditions
6. Woolen or synthetic hat covering your ears
7. Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
8. Sunglasses with UV protection
9. Prescription sunglasses (if required)
Upper Body accessories:
1. One half-sleeve and two long sleeves Polypropylene shirts
2. Light expedition weight thermal tops
3. Fleeced wind-stopper jacket or pullover
4. Waterproof and breathable fabric shell jacket
5. Down vest and/or jacket *
6. Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable
Hand accessories:
1. A pair of lightweight poly-liner gloves
2. A pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
3. A pair of mittens consisting of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched, waterproof, polar-fleece mitt liner
Lower Body accessories:
1. Non-cotton underwear briefs
2. A pair of hiking shorts
3. A pair of hiking trousers
4. A pair of lightweight thermal bottoms
5. A pair of fleece or woolen trousers
6. A pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric
Feet accessories:
1. Two pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
2. A couple pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
3. A pair of hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support, “broken in”)
4. A pair of trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
5. A few pairs of Cotton socks
6. Gaiters
Sleeping accessories:
1. One sleeping bag 30 degree DC
2. Fleece sleeping bag liner
3. Rucksack and Travel Bags
4. One medium rucksack or one large duffel bag *
5. Daypack/backpack of 35 to 50 liters for carrying your valuables, should have good shoulder padding
Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
6. Two large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)
Medical accessories:
1. Small, simple and light personal first-aid kit with Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
2. One skin-blister repair kit
3. Anti-diarrhea pills
4. Anti-headache pills
5. Cough and/or cold medicine
6. Anti-altitude sickness pills (Diamox or Acetylzolamide)
7. Stomach antibiotic (Ciprofloxacin, for instance)
8. Water purification tablets or water filter
9. One set of earplugs
10. Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies
Important: Do not bring sleeping pills as they are a respiratory depressant!
Practical Items
1. A small roll of repair tape
2. A sewing-repair kit
3. A cigarette lighter and/or a small box of matchsticks
4. A compass or GPS(optional)
5. An alarm clock/watch
6. A digital camera with extra cards and batteries
7. Large Ziplocs
8. Two water bottles (1 liter each)
9. One small folding knife
10. Binoculars (optional)
11. 4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks
Toiletries
1. A medium-sized quick drying towel
2. A Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
3. A Multi-purpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
4. Deodorants
5. Nail clipper
6. Face and body moisturizer
7. Female hygiene products(if you are a female)
8. A Small mirror
9. A Personal Hygiene Kit
10. Wet wipes (baby wipes)
11. Tissue /toilet rolls
12. Anti-bacterial hand wash
Extras/Luxuries
1. Reading book(s)
2. Trail map/guide book
3. Journal and pen
4. iPod
5. Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble, playing cards (For timepass at teahouses and/or camps)
6. A modest swim suit
7. Binoculars (optional)
8. A Voltage converter (from 220 to 110 ampere)
9. A Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs)
10. Lightweight pillow case (in case your teahouses provide you with pillows) or use your own stuff as a pillow