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Footwear:
This is one of the most important considerations,
as blisters and sore feet will spoil your trek. We recommend
that you take a pair of lightweight hiking boots, suitable
for walking over rough terrain and comfortable over long
distances. Good quality fabric boots are recommended. If
you are considering a trek where you are likely to encounter
a couple of days of snow-covered trails, you should opt
for a waterproof trekking boot - either a Gore-Tex-lined
fabric boot or a leather boot. If you prefer to do your
walking in a more substantial pair of leather boots, that's
OK, but make sure that they are well worn-in prior to the
trek. Choosing a pair of trekking boots is a very individual
process, and you should be guided by your own experience
and preferences. A good outdoor equipment store will be
able to advise you as to the fitting of your boots. For
wearing about camp and walking the easier sections of trail
we recommend sneakers or sandals, which allow you to wear
heavy socks underneath.
Mountaineering Footwear
For modern day climbers, plastic boots are
now standard equipment. They are lighter in weight, warmer
and more waterproof than leather mountain boots. Also, you
can sleep in the removable inner boots to ensure warm toes
in the morning! Climbing and trekking at altitudes of up
to 6000 meters/20,000 feet, the temperatures can be very
cold indeed (as low as minus 10 degrees F), and leather
boots are really not suitable for these cold conditions.
Plastic boots are also designed to take step-in crampons,
quickly and efficiently, and this combination of plastic
boots and step-in crampons is by far the most sensible option
when considering a trekking peak climb. Asolo and Koflach
are examples of excellent plastic boot manufacturers, and
each of these companies make models of plastic boots which
have been designed primarily as winter hiking boots. Recommended
- Asolo Supersoft and Koflach Viva Soft.
Gaiters:
Gaiters are an important piece of equipment,
which will help to keep your feet warm and dry in wet and
snowy conditions. The simple "alpine" style of
gaiter which hooks onto the boot laces and is held under
the instep by a strap or lace is fine for most trekking
applications. These "alpine" gaiters are widely
available.
Socks:
If you prefer to wear two pairs of socks,
your inner socks should be thin cotton, wool-based or a
mixture - natural fibers are best. Bring 4 pairs. If you
prefer to wear a single pair of thicker socks (and some
sock manufacturers are producing excellent socks which are
designed to be used without a liner or inner sock) then
these should also be mainly natural fibers and of loop stitch
construction for maximum warmth and comfort. Take 4 pair.
Thor-Lo is an example of a sock manufacturer, which markets
a wide range of technically advanced trekking/walking socks.
Clothing
Modern thinking supports the adoption of
the principle of "layering" which involves the
use of several thin layers of thermally efficient clothing,
which can be worn in a number of combinations, according
to the prevailing circumstances. Where it is warm enough
you can trek in either shorts or lightweight trekking pants
(natural fibers) (a long skirt is an option for the ladies)
and a long sleeve cotton shirt or Capilene T-shirt. For
colder conditions, you can add layers of thermal clothing.
Patagonia Capilene thermal clothing is very good and comes
in three weights - lightweight, midweight and expedition
weight. On top of these thermals you should add layers of
fleece. Patagonia, Marmot, The North Face and many other
manufacturers make a wide range of fleece garments, jackets,
pullovers, vests, pants and bibs. These are generally made
from Polartec 200 and 300 fabric, which is warm, light and
quick drying. Warmer still, are the new windproof fleece
garments, commonly known as WindStopper. Extremely, if it
starts to rain, or if you are making a high, cold climb
or pass crossing, you will have your waterproof shell outerwear,
jacket and pants, to fall back on. Active outdoor pursuits
such as trekking and climbing require protection from the
chill of the wind more often than protection from rain,
especially in mountain ranges such as the Karakoram and
Himalaya. Shell garments made from breathable fabrics (GoreTex
or equivalent) are to be preferred for the following reason.
Thermal underwear or base layers work on a 'wick-dry' principle,
wicking the perspiration away from the skin to where it
can evaporate without cooling the body. A non-breathable
shell garment prevents this drying process from being effective,
by trapping the moisture as condensation on the inside of
the shell material. The enclosed thermal layers remain wet,
and their insulating properties are reduced as a result.
There is an enormous range of waterproof and breathable
outerwear on the market. This includes technical mountaineering
shells as well as simpler (and less expensive) garments,
which are ideal for general outdoor use and, at the same
time, perfectly suited to trekking trips.
Extremities
It is important to keep your extremities
warm, and you should not neglect your head and hands when
selecting the equipment for your trip. A balaclava and inner
gloves are thin and lightweight and make excellent base
layers for your head and hands. As additional protection,
you should take a fleece hat or cap, which has earflaps,
a fleece lining and a waterproof shell. You should also
select a pair of warmer gloves or mittens to go over the
inner gloves. Most people will find that they will be warm
enough with their thermal clothing and two layers of fleece,
and then the windproof outerwear. However, on our highest
trips, with camps at altitudes approaching 5000 meters/16,400
feet, a down jacket is recommended. Without doubt the best
insulator in terms of warmth for weight is pure down - it
is at least 100% more efficient than the best synthetics
when dry. (Its performance when wet is not so good, so if
you have a down sleeping bag or jacket, keep it dry!) In
fact, down clothing is often too warm to wear while climbing,
and a lightweight synthetic jacket is ideal. On cold nights
at base camp, however, a down jacket is a welcome luxury.
Sleeping bag
For any of our treks and climbs, you will
need a 4-season sleeping bag rated to
at least zero degrees F. A full-length side zip is essential
to facilitate ventilation on warmer nights. A cotton or
fleece liner adds to the warmth and comfort of a bag and
prevents it from becoming excessively soiled. A mattress
is needed primarily to insulate you from the cold ground,
and you should take a quality closed-cell foam mat or you
should consider the more expensive self-inflating Thermarest
pads. We advise everyone to bring a cotton or fleece sleeping
bag liner. (We rent out suitable sleeping bags and Thermarest
mattresses).
Sun protection
In a land where the air temperature may
be only 75 degrees, a thermometer left in the sun can reach
well over 100 degrees, so sun protection is to be taken
seriously! A wide-brimmed sun hat is a very good idea, or
an Arab-type headscarf to keep the sun off your head. At
altitude, the sun's rays are particularly strong, and sunglasses
with 100% ultraviolet and infrared filtration are recommended,
such as Vuarnet PX5000, Cebe 2000/3000 or Bolle Irex 100.
These glasses are available with detachable leather or plastic
side pieces, which give increased protection, especially
from reflected glare, and you should give serious consideration
to such ''glacier glasses'' for any trek, which includes
walking or climbing on snow. You should bring a plentiful
supply of sun cream - a couple of large tubes of factor
6-10 (depending on your skin sensitivity) for lower down,
and some total block (factor 15-20) for above the snow line.
Lip salve of a suitable filter factor is also necessary.
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