The Grand Himalayan Exile | Gear list

My trip to the Canadian arctic two years ago (Video blog here) helped get the right gear for long trips like this one. You can find my arctic gear list here.

Here is the complete list for this 3 month Himalayan extravaganza:

Backpack, Sleeping bag and tent

Gregory Palisade 80 --> I took it to the Canadian arctic. Very comfortable on long trips. Make sure you purchase a rain cover (with a drain hole, if possible).

Summit Bag --> Gregory Miniwok 18L ( Nice little summit bag that is hydration compatible)

Sleeping bag --> The North Face Cat's Meow (-7 Deg C). Tried and tested on many hikes - my favorite sleeping bag.

Tent --> No tent. I would be hiking on Tea house trails where accommodation is available at the end of the day. This is possible only in Nepal - not possible in North America.

Kitchen

No Kitchen gear --> Tea House treks are easy on your back.

Food

--> No cooking material - Only snacks.
--> Lots of Powerbar gels,bars,Nuts & Chocolate.
--> Electrolyte tablets that can be dissolved in water (Nice replacement for Gatorade- lightweight and less bulky)


Clothing

Base Layer --> Polartek base layer from MEC (2) - lovely fit and very effective.

 

Mid Layer --> Arcteryx Fleece - Simple, elegant, made of Polartek material

Outer Layer --> The North Face 800 fill down jacket (Super light - packs into its own pocket), Arcteryx rain shell (Made of Goretex Paclite - ligthweight, waterproof)

 

2 Half sleeve 100% polyester T shirts (cotton is not advisable for cold conditions as it soaks in moisture)

 

1 full sleeve Polyester T shirt

 

2 Hiking shorts

 

1 North Face convertible hiking pant

 

Glove liners, Woolen Kanuk Tuque

 

Try to segregate night clothes from hiking clothes. You can easily do this with a dry sack. Good sleep is very crucial on long trips.

 

Footwear

Timberland Earthkeepers shoes - Vibram/goretex mid hiking shoes - (Don't recollect name of the model. Light weight, comfortable and breathable+waterproof, good ankle support)

 

Timberland radler camp shoe --> 'Zip and fold' - Superlight shoe for walking on light trails and around the camp

Emergency

High altitude sickness - Dexamethasone (4X4 mg), Nifedifine (4 tablets)
Blister protection bandaids

Emergency survival blanket for 2 - for hypothermia

Adventure medical kit - ultralight 5

Sewing kit & adhesive

Duct tape - for backpack/sleeping bag etc

Goretex patches - waterproof patches for outer layer repair.

Spare laces

Insect repellent

Mosquito net for head/neck

Everything else

Mobile phone

Hydration pack 2L Camelbak

Nalgene 1L bottle (2)

Gaiters

Straps+cords etc.

Sony RX 100 camera - light and compact digital camera that is as good as a DSLR. Ideal for long trips like this one. It is expensive though. I am leaving my Nikon D90 home.

 

I hope all this would help me sail through the Himalayan landscape !! 

Related posts:
The Grand Himalayan Exile
 



The Grand Himalayan Exile !

Ten days from now, I would embark on the grandest trip of my life - a 3 month exile in the Himalayas. I would be traversing the Annapurna circuit (~300kms) in Nepal, hiking in Tibet and finally exploring Himalayas in Bhutan.

Hiking is certainly one of the key activities of this trip - However, the driving force is something else. It is more to answer some larger questions in life (yeah !) with an extended period of isolation from day to day life.

Ever since I shared this news with colleagues and friends, there have been so many people who came up to me and said that they have always wanted to attempt something like this in their lives. Somehow, due to various reasons, they have not been able to attempt a journey like this one. This makes me wonder - why are we complicating our lives with these so called "must haves"? Be it job security, owning a home or securing the future of your family...

Anyways, I am totally geared up and excited about the coming days.

I'll try to push updates as and when possible.

Enjoy and try to break free !