Hiking Gear for Trekking in Nepal

Nepal features treks that are among the most demanding in the world. The famous hikes of the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp go to places that can only be reached by walking, last for 3 to 4 weeks, and reach some of the highest places on Earth that can be reached solely through walking. Given the rigors and duration of even a short Nepali trek, the careful selection of your equipment will make the difference between a great adventure or a miserable slog.

Things You'll Need

• Hiking shoes
• Backpack
• Sun hat
• Appropriate clothing
• Water Bottle
• Iodine tablets
• First aid kit, including selected blister treatment
• Trekking Poles or Walking Stick (recommended)
• Canned Meat (recommended)

Instructions

1. Bring broken-in hiking shoes. Most bits of gear that you will need or might want can be acquired in Nepal, but the one thing you should absolutely bring with you are your own pair of worn-in shoes. You will be putting a lot of rugged miles in on your feet, and Nepal is no place to be breaking in your shoe. The trail will give you blisters as it is.

2. Choose your clothing with care. Unless you hire a porter, you will be carrying all your own gear, and it won't take long to learn to resent a heavy load. Two outfits are recommended: one for the trail, and one to wear after the day's hiking is over. The former should be something that dries quickly, since it will get sweaty and dirty and will need to periodically be washed and left out to dry overnight. The latter should include light flip flops, so your feet can air out while you rest. A hat for the sun is also a must.

3. Decide about walking sticks and trekking poles. Some consider them an absolute must, while others think them a nuisance and like having both hands free.

4. Choose how you want to purify your water on the trail. Iodine tablets are the most common means of doing this, with some Tang added to make the purified water more palatable.

5. Bring some canned meat. Protein is in short supply on long Nepali treks, with the main source being lentils or beans. The demands on your legs will soon have them screaming for protein, and 3 to 4 weeks is a long time to leave them like that, so bring along a small can or two of some meat to bridge the time.

6. Choose a backpack with a heavy belt, so that the weight of the pack will be partly distributed to your hips and legs, and therefore off your back. Try it out to make sure it's comfortable. This is another piece of gear you should own and break in before you go to Nepal, rather than acquire there.