Equipment Pack List Gokyo Fifth Lake & Renjola pass Himalayan Diamond Adventure

What to pack for the Everest Three Passes Trek depends on the season and type of trek you plan to do. For the typical Gokyo lake and Renjo La Pass trek that involves ascending to 5,360 meters, (17,560 ft), layering is crucial. Layering allows you to adjust to the changing temperature, ensuring comfort and safety throughout the trek.

Base Layers

The base layer is crucial as the first layer of clothing, especially in colder and higher altitudes during the trek. You probably won't need it at the beginning and end of the trek. When choosing a base layer, focus on fit and material. Merino wool base layers are a great choice as they effectively wick away moisture and are reasonably priced.

Insulation Layer

The second layer is the insulation layer, typically made of fleece material. For the Gokyo Lake and Renjo La pass Trek, only a torso insulation layer is needed. A lightweight and warm option is a Polartec 200 Fleece Jacket, which allows for easy movement during the trek and is breathable. Some good brands for fleece jackets include The North Face, Helly Hansen, Columbia, REI, and Patagonia.

Outer Layer

The outer core layer consists of a warm and waterproof jacket and pants. This layer is crucial for use in higher altitudes or during cold, rainy weather. When choosing a winter jacket, consider it an investment rather than an expense and aim for a high-quality option. Recommended brands for jackets include The North Face, Mountain Hardware, Eddie Bauer, Rab, Haglofs, and Berghaus. For U.S. readers, the Eddie Bauer CirrusLite is a good option, while the Berghaus Tephra is recommended for UK readers. Brands such as O'Neills and Trespass make good fleece ski-like pants. In addition to the three layers, hiking clothes are also necessary.

Trekking Pants/Trousers and Shorts

For a trek, it is recommended to bring one pair of hiking pants and one pair of hiking shorts for the lower, warmer sections. Popular brands for hiking pants include Craghoppers, Trespass, and Columbia. https://www.columbia.com/c/hiking-pants/

Everest Three Passes Trek Tops-Packing-List:

Bring 3-4 shirts that can be worn daily. Opt for quick-drying materials such as polyester, merino, or nylon instead of cotton, which retains moisture and can result in unpleasant odors. A mix of short and long-sleeve shirts is suggested.

Waterproof Jacket and Trousers

Rain is a common risk while trekking, particularly during June to September (not recommended for trekking during these months). As a precaution, bring rain gear, such as a Gore-Tex membrane hard-shell jacket. The North Face offers high-quality waterproof gear, such as the Resolve Jacket. For pants, a cheaper pair of waterproof pull-overs can suffice.

Underwear & Bra

For underwear, choose breathable and moisture-wicking materials. It is recommended to bring 2 pairs of athletic underwear and 2 sports bras for women.

Headwear..........................................

Hat: Bring a wide-brimmed trekking hat for sun protection. Opt for a lightweight, packable hat that also covers the neck.

Beanie: A beanie is essential for colder nights or when approaching Gokyo Lakes and Renjo L a pass. Brands such as North Face and Berghaus offer excellent beanies to keep your head and ears protected from the elements.

Neck Gaiter: A neck gaiter or warmer is a valuable, affordable piece of clothing that protects your face and neck from the cold, preventing the risk of flu. The TYTN Microfibre Neck & Head Scarf Bandana is a good option. If traveling in winter, consider bringing a balaclava.

Gloves: To keep your hands warm during colder parts of the trek, bring a pair of gloves. It is recommended to bring two types: a lightweight inner glove for milder temperatures, and a heavier, insulated pair for colder weather.

Inner Gloves: Light inner gloves are useful for moderate temperatures or when doing tasks that require dexterity, such as tying shoelaces.

Outer Insulated Gloves: For outer gloves or mittens, look for warmth, waterproofing, and durability. For sub-zero temperatures, choose a mid-weight fleeced glove. Brands such as Black Diamond, The North Face, and Outdoor Research offer good options for outdoor winter gloves.

Footwear: Footwear is without a doubt one of the most important pieces of gear that you need to get right. Think about it, your feet are what get you to Gokyo Lake valley and across the popular Renjo La pass, so you want to make sure you have comfortable trekking boots. Aches and blisters are a nightmare that no one wants to experience, so spend a bit more money on some good quality boots and socks.

Top tip: Make sure your boots are well worn-in before starting your Gokyo lake and Renjola pass trek. Brand new boots will give you blisters.

Hiking Boots: Getting a comfortable boot that is the right size is probably more important than the brand of the shoe. You should be able to fit one finger behind your heel to ensure proper fit. Too much space for your finger means the boot is too big, and not enough room means the boot is too small. Find a middle to lightweight hiking boot that offers good ankle support and has waterproof uppers. Make sure you can easily tie and untie the laces and check that the boot has deep-cut traction on the sole. Good brands of boots include Salomon, Hi-Tec, Berghaus, and Karrimor. If you want the top of the range, check out Meindl or the Scarpa Kailash.

Trekking Shoes/ Sandals: It is recommended to hike in comfortable and lightweight boots for better support and to prevent twisted ankles. https://www.merrellaustralia.com.au/blog/mid-cut-vs-low-cut-hiking-shoes

Hiking Socks: Good hiking socks should be breathable and moisture-wicking, so avoid anything made of cotton. Merino wool is our preferred material for trekking socks. Good brands include Bridgedale, Coolmax, Smartwool, and Point6. We recommend bringing 4 pairs of socks.

Warm Thermal Socks: Thermal socks, thicker than standard trekking socks, are necessary for colder conditions like those near Gokyo Lakes and Renjola La pass. Brands such as Smartwool, Bridgedale, and Wigwam offer comfortable options. Consider bringing 1 pair

Gaiters: Gaiters cover the ankle-high opening to your boots and are designed to prevent water, mud, rocks and anything else from getting into them.

Duffel Bag: Use a water-resistant, durable, and lockable duffel bag if your gear will be carried by porters.

Lock: It is a good idea to use TSA locks if you are using porters or carrying around valuable items for added security.

Backpack: 1 medium rucksack (45  liters/3000-3500 cubic inches) can be used as an airplane carry-on. A small daypack/backpack, with good shoulder padding, for carrying your valuables.

We recommend the Osprey Talon 22 as the perfect size for carrying items such as water, sun cream, camera, hats, and snacks.

Rain cover: Invest in a rain cover for your backpack or daypack, such as the Osprey Backpack Rain Cover in the appropriate size.

Sleeping gear

Sleeping Bag: Teahouses along the route usually provide basic sleeping facilities with blankets, but they are generally not clean and definitely not warm enough.

Once you get above 4,700–5,000 m (15,400–16,400 ft), in altitude, the temperature inside teahouses is very cold, especially during the night. Most teahouses are not well insulated and do not have heating outside of central yak furnaces in the common lounge areas.

A warm 4-season sleeping bag, rated for at least -20°C, is a must for these conditions. Duck or goose down is generally preferred for the best sleeping bags, but there are also good quality synthetic options available. The sleeping bag should be a good fit for your body shape, ideally mummy-shaped, and have an insulated hood for added warmth.

Our recommended brands include the Hyke & Byke Snowmass, TETON Sports LEEF, or the REI Downtime.

Liner: If you choose to rent a sleeping bag, using a sleeping bag liner can provide a clean and hygienic surface to sleep on. Look for a mummy-shaped liner for maximum comfort.

Ear Plugs: Earplugs are a good idea to bring if you're a light sleeper and are disturbed by the snoring of fellow travelers.

Trekking Poles: For most trekkers, the use of trekking poles is recommended as they significantly reduce the impact and stress on the joints. If you have not used trekking poles before and do not like the idea, they are not a mandatory requirement. Lightweight and packable poles, such as the TYTN Carbon X or the TYTN Aero Trekking Poles, are recommended

Sunglasses: A good pair of UV-protecting sunglasses with 100% UV protection and at least 80% light reduction are a necessity for the high-altitude trek due to the increased UV strength and glare from snow. Recommendations include Julbo glasses.

Headlight: A headlamp is necessary for navigating teahouses at night, as many are poorly lit. A Petzl Tikkina or Black Diamond Astro Headlamp with an output of 175 lumens and spare batteries is recommended.

Water Bottle/ Hydration Bladder: As dehydration contributes to altitude-related sicknesses, proper hydration is vital on the trek. You should aim to drink 4-5 liters of water a day. In terms of water bladders, we recommend the Platypus Big Zip water reservoir, which fits snugly into the back of most daypacks.

Alternatively, if you prefer water bottles, then bring two 1-liter standard CamelBak water bottles made of hardened plastic. Please make sure you purify all the water you drink (more on this in the next section).

Towel: A quick-drying trekking towel is indeed a useful item to bring along on a trek.

Toiletries:

1 medium-sized quick-drying towel.

Toothbrush/paste (preferably biodegradable).

Multi-purpose soap (preferably biodegradable).

Nail clippers.

Face and body moisturizer.

Wet wipes (baby wipes).

Tissue/ toilet roll.

Anti-bacterial hand washes.

Reading book.

Trail map/ guide book.

Journal and pen.

iPod.

Travel game: i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble playing cards (to help you pass the time at teahouses and/or camps).

1 modest swimsuit.

Voltage converter (from 220 to 110).

Plug adapter (2 round pegs to 2 flat pegs).

Camera/ GoPro: A camera is essential to capture and remember your experiences in the Himalayas. A smartphone, such as an iPhone, can be used for photography but might not fully capture the stunning mountain scenery in the Kanchenjunga region. A portable, lightweight and modern option is the GoPro camera, which can help you create a memorable Gokyo fifth lake valley and Renjo La pass Trek diary, similar to those on YouTube.

Portable Charger: Bring a portable charger, like the Anker Power Core, for your electronic devices like phone, camera, and Kindle, to avoid running out of battery. Some teahouses may have charging facilities, but they may not be reliable and may charge you.

Medical: Small, personal first-aid kit. (simple and light).

Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids).

1 skin-blister repair kit.

Anti-diarrhea pills.

Anti-headache pills.

Cough and/or cold medicine.

Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetylzolamide.

Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are respiratory depressants.

Water purification tablets or water filters.

Extra pair of prescription glasses, contact lens supplies.

Lip balm (At least SPF 20).

Sunscreen (SPF 40).

Practical Items: 1 small roll of repair tape, 1 sewing-repair kit.

1 cigarette lighter, 1 small box of matches.

1 compass or GPS (optional).

1 small folding knife.

Binoculars (optional).

4 large, waterproof, disposable rubbish sacks