Climbing to the top of Everest is a very challenging and risky thing to do in your life. Many mountaineering experts have also lost their lives because of the small mistakes they make. If they had proper equipment they could have a chance to save their own life. Factors that make the Everest Summit trek risky and challenging are extreme altitude, wild weather conditions, technical terrain landscapes, altitude sickness, great physical effort, low-level of oxygen, avalanche risk areas, environmental hazards, etc. That's why you need to have the courage to take risks, proper knowledge about the Everest summit, and an Everest summit trek gear list for a safe and successful summit trek.
In this blog, we have mentioned and covered all the essential items you need to have to reach the top of Mt Everest. Your journey will start from Everest base camp (EBC) which is situated at 5,364m above sea level. You can trek to reach the Everest base camp or you can reach there by helicopter. Here we are talking about the list of gear needed for the Everest summit trek, not for the Everest base camp.
The must-essential items in the Everest summit gear list are given below:
1. Clothes:
First, let's talk about the clothes that you need to wear while at Everest Summit Trek. As we are already aware of the weather conditions of Mt Everest we need to wear thick clothes that keep us warm otherwise the cold will kill us or we could get hunted down by frostbite. So, What are the clothes included in the Everest summit gear list you need to pack:
- Base layers: The base layer is the clothing that you wear close to the skin, They are worn underneath the other clothes like insulating layers, jackets, or outers. Base layers of clothing keep your skin dry by allowing moisture to escape and it helps to regulate your body temperature.
- Insulating layers: It is known as mid layers which are worn over the base layers and underneath the outer shell like jackets or pants. It provides you with additional warmth and heat by trapping it close to your body. Insulating layers of clothes are fleece jackets, down jackets, insulated jackets, insulated pants, etc.
- outer shell: The outer shell includes clothes like windproof and waterproof jackets and pants. It protects you from cold, wind, and snow. For example shell jackets and shell pants.
- Headgear: You also need to protect your head and neck from cold so you should wear an insulated hat or beanie to retain heat on your head. For neck, you can wear neck gaiters to keep your neck warm. Balaclava is the best choice because it will entirely cover your head, neck, and cheeks too. Now For your eyes, you need to protect them from the sun's UV rays as you are at a high altitude you are prone to UV rays so You should wear quality sunglasses.
- Handwear: You have to protect your hand from cold or frostbite. For handwear, you should choose Insulated gloves with waterproof shells. You should wear overmitts over the gloves you wear.
- Footwear: you need to keep your feet dry and warm in Everest so you have to wear insulated shocks and don't forget to bring extra. You will need mountaineering boots to walk on snow and high altitude. you also need gaiters to keep your boots out of snow.
In summary, you need high-altitude clothing, This kind of clothing includes features like insulation to keep your body warm, breathability to allow moisture to escape and prevent sweat build-up to keep you dry, water resistance, windproof, compressible, top-notch durability, etc. You should wear clothes that are made in a high-altitude clothing system.
2. High Altitude Gear :
As we already know mountains have technical terrain landscapes that make it very difficult to climb over mountains. Mt Everest has very difficult terrain landscapes which makes mountaineering and trekking risky to mountaineers. So, You need to have the proper gear for a safe and successful summit of Everest. Let's know about the high-altitude gear that should be on your Everest summit trek gear list:
- Mountaineering Boots: Mountaineering boots are very essential for you to protect your feet from the cold and frostbite. Mountaineering boots provide you protection from rocks, snow, etc. You should buy mountaineering boots that are compatible with crampons.
- Crampons: Crampons are tools that are attached to your mountaineering boots that provide you grip in snow and ice while mountaineering. Crampons have spikes that provide aid in grip.
- Ice axe: An ice axe is a tool-like axe structure that helps you to maintain stability and balance and provides support on steep slopes route. It also provides you with features like cutting and digging.
- Harness: It is safety equipment that allows mountaineers to connect or attach to rope-like straps with comfort. It provides safety in climbing activities by protecting the mountaineers in the event of a fall and also reduces the risk of injury while falling.
- Helmet: you need to protect your head from falling debris and rockfall while climbing. There will be many climbers climbing above you because of that It is very common to fall debris.
- Rope: Rope is very essential for climbing the rocks which provides support to climb. The rope is needed to tie into the harness with a knot. The rope prevents falls from height and also provides aid in self-rescue.
- Carabiners and Anchors: Carabiners, which are specific metal rings utilized during mountaineering, and climbing among other activities, need quick and reliable attachment. Usually, you’ll find they have a unique oval-shaped structure with a bolt that opens so that you can insert a rope or anything else then locks when you want to secure it. Anchors are like gadgets applied for securing mountain climbers to rocks or other stationary points hence offering a sturdy and dependable attachment to prevent falls or serve as a protection point.
- Ascender/Descender: Ascender is a tool that helps tightly hold onto the rope enabling the climber to pull himself or herself along while climbing upward. a descender is a tool that helps tightly hold onto the rope enabling the climber to pull himself or herself along while rappelling.
- Mountaineering Backpack: A backpack measuring 60-80 liters capacity is the perfect one for a given trek of climbing Mt. Everest. Where necessary, this can be used to convey personal items clothing, safety equipment, oxygen supplement, food, etc.
- High Altitude Tent: A high-altitude tent is a specific type of tent meant to be used at high altitudes where weather conditions can be tough. These tents are custom-made to shield users from the high winds, and cold or even potentially snowy environments commonplace in such areas. It is very essential for camping in the mountains.
3. Equipements:
These are the necessary and important equipment you need to include in the Everest summit trek gear list:
- Oxygen supplement: As in high altitudes there is a low level of oxygen available. So, you will need an oxygen supplement to prevent yourself from suffocating.
- Sleeping bag: High altitude sleeping bag rated for extremely cold temperatures and a sleeping pad.
- Cooking equipment: lightweight portable stove, lighter, fuel, etc for cooking meals and melting snow.
- Communication device: Satellite network-based mobile phone, walkie-talkie, GPS for communication and navigation.
- Personal Climbing Gear: Including a climbing harness, belay device, and prusik cords.
4. Personal Items:
You need to pack some personal items for your safety and comfort. Including this thing on your Everest summit trek gear list will help in a hygienic and safe journey.
- Sunscreen and lip balm: For dry lips and sun protection. Needs High SPF sunscreen
- Repair Kit: Including duct tape, sewing kit, and repair patches for gear.
- Toiletries: To keep a hygiene yourself.
- Trash Bags: To keep your mountain and surroundings clean.
- Lightweight Snacks: High-energy snacks for the climb.
- Personal Identification and Permits: All the necessary documents related to you and your travels.
5. Emergency Items:
Including this item on your Everest trek gear list will help you in times of emergency to rescue yourself and have a safe summit trek. This item will play a great role in your survival.
- First aid kit: In wild or mountainous places, it is crucial to prepare for possible injuries or emergencies. Some things you might want to add to your mountaineering first aid kit include Bandages, Sterile gauze pads, Adhesive tape, Antiseptic wipes, Disposable gloves, Scissors, Pain relievers, CPR, Emergency blanket, mask Moleskin or blister bandages, etc.
- Altitude Medications: Many people can be affected by altitude sickness so it's necessary to keep medication related to it including acetazolamide for altitude sickness prevention.
These are the items you need to consider in the Everest summit trek gear list for your safe and successful summit trek. Mountaineering to Everest is risky and challenging so you should know the items you need to pack. To know detailly you can contact us to clear your doubts. You also need to have physical fitness and mountaineering training for a successful and safe summit trek.
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