Lobuche East calls for solid technical equipment and very warm clothing. Many items can be rented in Kathmandu, but you should check the fit and condition of anything you will rely on.
Technical equipment
- Mountaineering boots with a stiff sole, compatible with crampons and warm for summit night.
- Crampons that fit your boots precisely.
- Ice axe, helmet and harness.
- Ascender, locking carabiners and a belay or abseil device.
- Group ropes and safety gear are normally provided by the operator.
Clothing
- Thermal base layers and fleece mid layers.
- A warm down jacket and waterproof, windproof shell layers.
- Warm mittens, liner gloves and a spare pair.
- Balaclava or buff, warm hat and sun hat.
- Warm socks, including a heavy pair for summit day.
Sleeping
A sleeping bag for very cold nights, a liner and a foam mat. High camp is cold and windy.
Eyes and skin
Glacier glasses or goggles with strong UV protection, sunscreen and lip balm.
Other items
- Headlamp with spare batteries.
- Insulated water bottles.
- Trekking poles for the approach.
- Personal first-aid kit and medicines.
- Power bank and cables.
Advice on renting
Try on boots and harnesses before leaving Kathmandu. Ill-fitting equipment causes blisters and discomfort on a long summit day.
The essentials first
Rigid boots, warm layers, a down jacket, gloves, a good sleeping bag and eye protection are the priorities. Technical gear can be rented, but fit and condition should be checked carefully in Kathmandu before you leave.
Packing smartly
Keep summit-day items together in a small pack, labelled and ready the night before. Waterproof liners protect clothing, and a headlamp with spare batteries is vital.
Comfort items
Lip balm, hand warmers, snacks, a book and earplugs help with comfort at base camp. Small things make a surprising difference on cold nights.
The essentials for a technical ridge
You will need a helmet, harness, ascender, belay device, two locking carabiners, crampons and ice axe, plus mountaineering boots. Some operators supply the group gear while you bring personal items. Check the list well before you travel.
Clothing system
Layers should include thermal base, fleece, down jacket, hard shell, insulated trousers, warm hat, balaclava, liner and mitten gloves. Ensure that clothes fit comfortably under the harness and helmet.
Fitting and testing
Try everything on, including crampons on boots, before you leave. Practise adjusting straps with gloves on, because fiddling with equipment in the cold is hard. Replace worn items and bring spares of essentials such as gloves.
