What To Pack For Everest Base Camp Trek

If you’ve never been on a lengthy trek, planning for the Everest Base Camp trek can be a daunting task. You’ve got limited space to work with, and all sorts of conditions to plan for. Everybody has their own style of packing and traveling, however there are some things which you must have for the Everest Trek. This list covers those items which are mandatory, and those which are generally considered to be an optional luxury. If you have feedback on this list please leave it in the comments.

Must Have Items On Everest

• Sleeping Bag – Most tea houses supply blankets also, so don’t need a super heavy bag.  (I was very warm in my -15)
• Heavy Jacket or several lighter layers which combine to be warm
• Good pair of boots – preferably waterproof
• 4 Pairs of Socks (wool and polypropylene are nice)
• 4 Pairs underwear – try wicking, easy quick wash & dry
• 4 Shirts
• 1 Rain Jacket – Just a shell is fine if you have other layers underneath
• 1 Pair Waterproof Trousers
• Alternate Form of Footwear for downtime – sandals maybe
• Toilet Paper – can also buy on mountain
• Headlamp w/batteries
• Sunglasses – I hardly used mine, but I can see in some conditions how it might be a must have.  Polarized sunglasses are ideal
• Altitude Sickness Pills – Diamox
• Ibuprofen based headache medicine for Altitude – It’s also a good idea to take this at night before bed to help you sleep.  I’m not a doctor but I was told my a climber who has summited Everest multiple times Aspirin based products are bad for you to take at Elevation, so be sure to take Ibuprofen instead.
• Medicines – Anti-Diarrhea Medication (Imodium), Anti-Gas meds, anti-constipation meds, Antibiotics
• Towel
• Cash – There’s an ATM in Namche Bazaar, and a weird bank you can get cash at in Lukla, but don’t count on them working.  The amount you’ll need will vary depending on how much you eat and drink, but better to bring extra.  All our basic meals and accommodation were covered and we spent around $200+ USD each on top of it, water gets expensive towards the top and you need lots!  You can do it a lot cheaper, but better to have leftovers than run out on the mountain.  The ATM only takes Visa cards.
• Passport
• TIMs Card (with Passport Photos)
• Standard Toiletries
• Light Jacket or Sweatshirt
• Backpack
• Waterproof cover for backpack
• A deck of playing cards

Optional Items For The Trek

• Sunscreen
• 2 Warm hats or beanies – one for hiking which will get wet or sweaty, and 1 which is always dry for the evenings
• Hat for blocking the sun
• Trekking Poles
• Long Johns / Thermal Underwear
• Gloves – Preferably Waterproof
• Dry Shampoo (I’ve heard mixed reviews, but I was wishing for it the whole time)
• Shower shoes
• Scarf or Pashmina
• Rain Poncho
• Hand Warmers
• Binoculars
• Altimeter
• Compass
• Duct Tape
• Pillow
• Chapstick
• Pocket Knife
• Silk liner (I only used this at Gorak Shep but I was so happy to have one more warm thing to sleep in)
• Cliff Bars or similar
• Other snacks – Beef Jerky
• Camera!
• Camera Batteries – Charging is not cheap on the mountain, but you can do it
• Band aids
• Blister Care Supplies – Mole Skin or similar – Duct Tape can also be used here
• First Aid Kit
• A pair of shorts
• If you have a porter, he may provide a bag, but you may want to consider a large bag / day pack combo for your packing
• Umbrella
• Pen & Paper
• iPod
• Power Adapters for charging
• Watch
• Headband / Bandanna
• Rope
• Sleeping Clothes
• Camel-back
• Maps
• GPS
• A book
• Cell Phone – they do work pretty much the whole way
• A waterproof sack
• Laptop / Tablet / iPad – I would have liked to have had movies to watch and there were plenty of places to charge it

Items You Won’t Need

• Solar Charger – you can bring, but weather is spotty and we found they don’t work well in general. Plus, you’re able to pay for charging at virtually all the tea houses
• Thermarest / Sleeping Pad – The beds in the tea houses are ok
• Water Filter / Purifying Tabs – You can buy bottled water everywhere