Essentials for Everest Base Camp

The closer we got to Everest Base Camp, the more important these items were. I went in January (winter), the weather was sunny and clear most days but the nights were freezing.

1. Wool

It doesn’t smell as much as cotton so you will be able to wear more. More importantly, it will keep you warm. Try to avoid cotton.

2. Neck warmer and/or bandana

A layer to protect you from breathing in the freezing air and dust. When I didn't need my face covered I could rotate the bandana around and it would protect my neck from getting burned.

3. Sunscreen and lip balm

Even though it's winter and very cold. The sun is very strong and reflects off the snow.

4. Gloves

I found that the thin wool pair was useful when I was hiking as I was still able to use cameras. I didn't really use my waterproof pair.

5. Ski Goggles and sunglasses

I only wore them once but they came in handy when it was -30°C wind chill on Kala Patthar before sunset. I also suggest wraparound sunglasses.

6. Head Torch

When you wake up in the middle of the night and have to navigate your way to the squat toilets. Also, it was really useful when we had to hike in the dark at 5 am up to Kala Patthar. If your appliances use batteries, you will definitely need spares as the batteries can get damaged or go flat in the cold.

7. Spare batteries or portable charger

Some teahouses have no power or you have to pay for it. It was so cold that batteries would go from full to low overnight. Putting them in your sleeping bag would prevent this.

8. Steel water bottle

When you hop into your sleeping bag at night it is freezing. However, you can put your steel water bottle on top of the wood burner (note: take the top off) until it boils and then put in the sleeping bag. Also, I found it convenient to have my water bottle hanging from my backpack shoulder strap. Be careful not to fill fully as my bottle exploded due to the cold expanding the water at -20 degrees.

9. Gastro stop

It will be terrible as there probably won’t be showers and there are squat toilets (sometimes frozen).

10. Hand sanitizers

Difficult to find running water and if there is it will be freezing. Regular hand sanitising may prevent you from getting sick.

11. Muesli bars preferably with chocolate

You burn a lot of energy and I found that I needed snacks in between my main meals. The chocolate may help relieve some altitude sickness symptoms. Selection in Kathmandu wasn’t great so I brought some from Australia.

12. Travel Insurance

One of the girls in our group got a chest infection and had to be airlifted from the mountains to Kathmandu. Without travel insurance, this would have been extremely expensive. I used World Nomads