Everest Base Camp Packing List for Autumn

The Everest Base Camp trek is a completely new experience for most of the trekkers. The unfamiliar territory calls for some confusion, especially when it comes to packing for the Everest Base Camp trek.

We have kept your concerns in mind and created the perfect packing list for Everest Base Camp trek. Everest Base Camp Packing List for October and November should not be a difficult one. Allow us to get into details about the things you want to consider while packing. But, first, let us usher you through the weather you are getting into.

So, What is the Weather of Everest Region Like During Autumn?

September, October, and November are the autumn season in Nepal. September through November is one of the best time to trek in the Everest region. The monsoon ends and the skies get crisper during these seasons.

In September, the temperature of daytime will reach around 15°C, where the night temperature drops to around 2°C. The average daytime temperature stands at about 12-degree Celsius in October and about 6-degree Celsius in November. While during the night time the average temperature drops to about – 6-degree Celsius in October and – 12-degree Celsius during November.

Yet, as it is a mountain region, the weather can get unpredictable at times. This especially happens as you climb higher and reach higher altitudes.

Basic Essentials

• Trekking boots: Trekking boots are the essentials for every trek. Make sure you carry strong and sturdy boots as you will be walking 5-7 hours each day. These are an investment so don’t compromise on the quality. Also make sure that if your boots are new, you break them in before the trek.

• Comfortable Backpack: Backpacks should be comfortable to carry as you will be carrying them all day long. You should make sure your backpack is large enough to carry all your essential items yet be lightweight and durable.

Equipment

• Trekking pole: You may require trekking poles as you will be walking through some steep routes. They will also be useful when your legs get sore and it becomes difficult to keep walking. It makes hiking easier, both going up and going down.

• Swiss knife: A swiss knife is multifunctional and does come in handy.

Clothing for trekking

• 1 Windproof jacket: The wind at higher altitudes and sometimes even at lower altitudes can be quite fast. They sometimes may even reach up to a speed of 10km/hr. A wind jacket protects you and especially your chest from the wind.

• 2 pairs of Trekking trousers: You will be trekking for about 5 to 7 hours each day. Trekking trousers make your trek easier and are an obvious essential while trekking.

• 3 Trekking shirts: Same as the trousers trekking shirts are essential. Make sure you pack at least 2 full sleeved and 1 short sleeved shirt. Avoid cotton as it absorbs moisture instead of repelling away sweat, resulting in bad smelling shirts after a few uses. The ideal fabric is a breathable, lightweight and quick-drying like polyester, merino or nylon.

• 1 pair of Raincoat and rain trousers: You may also experience some unexpected rainfall or even snow. It is best to carry a pair while trekking even in September, October and November.

• 1 Insulating jacket: A insulating jacket is light yet warm. So, it becomes perfect for trekking as it won’t make your heavy bag heavier.

• 5 pairs of hiking socks: Hiking socks are comfortable and made for the very purpose. You can select some waterproof and breathable pairs.

• Hiking Gloves: An inner glove and an outer layer. Insulating inner layer to keep you warm and easy for doing tasks. While the outer layer should be thick and insulating so that you don’t get frostbites, mittens work best.

• Earmuffs: Stay warm and covered to avoid frostbites.

• Warm Scarfs: Scarfs will keep you warm while you trek.

• Underwear: You will want your underwear to be breathable and sweat-wicking so that you don’t get uncomfortable while trekking. 5 pairs of sports underwear and about 2 pairs of sports bra should work.

• 1 Sun hat: The skies will be quite clear during September, October and November so the sun is sure to be quite intense. Make sure you pack a sun hat to keep the sun out of your face.

• Warm caps: Warm head cover for the mornings and evenings.

• A pair of Sunglasses is great against the sun or the snow.

Clothing for lodging

• 3 Fleece lined t-shirt: Make sure you have warm and comfortable t-shirts for lodging.

• 2 Fleece lined trousers: Similar to the t-shirts make sure you have warm and comfortable trousers.

• 2 pairs of Warm thermals: The inner layer of clothing is quite important to keep you protected from the cold. You should carry both upper and lower thermals to layer inside all your other clothes.

• Basic t-shirts: Pack at least 2 full sleeved and 1 half sleeved basic t-shirt.

• 1 Warm insulating/fleece lined jacket: Should be comfortable and warm.

• Warm socks: You may want to pack some warm socks to sleep in. You may not get a chance to wash them so its best to carry enough.

• Slippers: You might need them for the teahouses.

Toiletries

• Soap and Shampoo: A travel size soap and shampoo will be enough.

• Toilet paper: Most of the tea houses may have traditional style toilets and may not offer toilet paper. You should carry your own.

• Hand sanitizer: Above a certain height everything freezes during the night, so there might not be water to wash your hands.

• Mouthwash: As mentioned above the water gets very cold even to brush your teeth. A mouthwash could be a lot handy.

• Toothpaste and toothbrush: These are essential for any type of traveling. A travel size toothpaste may be enough.

• Lip balm: You should carry one with SPF in it so it can protect your lips from the cold as well as the harsh sun.

• Wet wipes: Sometimes water may not be available so wet wipes do come in handy.
• Sunscreen: The sun is quite harsh so make sure you carry a good sunscreen with at least SPF of 40. It is better if it is water repelling as well.
• Deodorant: You will not get to take shower in the higher altitudes.
• Travel towel: A quick dry fiber towel works best.

Food

You may feel quite hungry while trekking. So, to prevent your blood pressure from going too low or even to keep your energy high you should carry some snacks. Here is a list of few you may want to carry. It includes

• Trail mix
• Protein bars
• Instant coffee
• Cookies
• Instant noodles

Sleeping essentials

• Sleeping Bag: The bag should be warm and comfortable as you will be using quite a lot throughout the trek.

• Sleeping bag liner: You will want to carry a liner for your bag as it will get quite dirty with you using it every day. It may also come in handy if you don’t like sleeping in the bedsheets in the teahouses.

• Thin blanket: You will want to lay this under the blankets provided by the tea houses.

• Pillowcase: The same is the case with pillowcases. You should carry one just to put it on top of the provided one.

• Earplugs and Eye Mask: They will help you sleep better.

Medicine

Here are some medicines you will want to carry along with you as there aren’t many pharmacies in the region. But, make sure you consult with your doctor before taking them.

• Loperamide (stopper) and laxatives (goer)
• Paracetamol
• Antibiotics
• Lots of bandages (for blisters)
• Antiseptic cream
• Iodine
• Strepsils (or a different brand) for throat pain
• ORS

Electronics

Some important electronics that you will want to pack are:

• Phone
• Local sim card
• Phone charger
• Power Bank( you can charge these in the teahouses for a small rate)
• A mini battery( about 10000 to 20000 MaH which you can charge in some of the teahouses for a certain charge)
• Camera ( and the charger)

Documents

• Travel permit: You will require travel permits to enter certain places and routes. So, do not forget them at any cost.

• Passport: Police checkpoints could ask you to show your passport.

• TIMS card: When hiking in Nepal you need to get a TIMS Card (Trekker Information Management System). You can buy a TIMS Card at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu for 2000 rupees.

• Local currency cash: You will not get to use your card at higher altitudes. But even if you do find an ATM it will be not enough as you can only do a transaction of a certain amount at a time.

Buying vs Renting

If you do not wish to buy some of the items you can also rent them from certain places. If you want to rent items such as sleeping bags or other equipment we can help you with it. The shops at Thamel usually have rent facilities at a good price.

Conclusion

The above packing list is to provide you with a guideline on what to pack. But, you can choose the items according to your own preference. Everyone has their own needs, you can suit yourself in accordance with what you require.

If you have any queries or want to book a trek to Everest Base Camp or any other destination contact us.