Everest Base Camp Trek - Packing List for The Female Trekker

When you go on the Everest Base Camp trek, it is important to take the right clothes and gear with you. Depending on the season, it can get quite hot during the day at lower altitudes, and temperatures often fall below 0°C at night at higher altitudes. I trekked from Lukla to Everest Base Camp in April 2013, for 14 days, and this is the packing list that I recommend based on my experience as a female trekker.

Before I go to the packing list, here are some tips with regards to clothes, gear and packing:

• You really don't need a lot of clothes for a 2-week trek. I followed this advice that I read somewhere and found practical:
• A set of clothes for hiking - day/hiking clothes. You wear the same clothes for hiking every day. Yes, they stink after a few days, but you get used to it and it won't matter. Nobody will care because everybody does the same thing.
• A set of clothes to sleep in - night/lounge clothes. Every day when I reach the lodge, I clean up and wipe away the day's sweat, dirt and grime, and change into my "night clothes" which I also sleep in. I hang the "day clothes" to dry and in the morning, I change back into them. This way, at least I don't sleep in damp, sweaty clothes. 
• I kept a clean shirt throughout the trek, and wore it on the last day on the return trip to Kathmandu, because I didn't want to stink too badly on the plane and in the city :)
• Clothes and towels should be of the quick-dry material. It's cold and wet most of the time in the mountains, and near impossible to properly dry your clothes. Even if you don't do your laundry, your clothes will get damp, if not wet, from sweat, and rain/snow if you get caught in bad weather. 
• You don't need fancy clothing and gear from fancy stores. A pair of comfortable track pants works just as well as a pair of branded hiking pants, so long as important functional features are there, i.e. quick dry, light weight, wind proof, water repellent, comfortable, etc. 
• If you don't have your own, you can rent down jacket and sleeping bag from Thamel for about 1 US dollar a day. I, too, cringed at the thought of using them but after a while, I just got used to them. When you're on the trek, don't think about these things. Put your mind on the trek and enjoy where you are.
• A sleeping bag liner isn't really necessary. You'll be dressed in so many layers, it really won't matter if a liner separates you from the (rented) sleeping bag. 
• I love the neck gaiter that doubles as a beanie. It is so versatile. They can be found in shops all over Thamel and Namche Bazaar for 2-3 US dollars. I used mine as a light beanie at lower altitudes and as a neck warmer at higher altitudes. 
• If you're going to buy a beanie, consider buying it in Thamel or Namche. You will find many beautiful, colourful, fleece lined, knitted wool hats for only 3-4 US dollars each.
• A bandanna is useful at lower altitudes for covering your mouth and nose from dust. 
• A brimmed sun hat is essential. It will help shield your eyes and head from the sun, which can be brutal on some days. 
• Sunglasses with polarized lenses aren't absolutely necessary. They will certainly give your eyes more comfort, but you'll be fine if you don't have them. A pair of good quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection is sufficient. 
• Your shoes are about the most important item you can wear on the trip. You will be walking in them for hours everyday, so do invest in a good pair. They don't have to be the most expensive but they do have to be right and comfortable. Light weight hiking shoes are ideal. 
• Unless you expect to walk in snow or wet conditions, waterproof shoes aren't absolutely necessary. Do check with your guide about this though. 
• Ankle boots are ideal because the terrain will be very rocky and rough. They will help to protect your ankles. But if you don't have or can't find a good pair, normal ones work just as well. Just pay a little more attention to where you put your footing, to avoid twists. 
• Break in your shoes at least 3-4 months ahead of the trip. 
• Your shoes should be slightly bigger than your normal shoes, perhaps half a size bigger. Your feet will swell from the altitude and hours of walking, and more often than not, you will be wearing 2 layers of socks.
• Sandals provide a welcome respite for your feet after hours in the hiking shoes. They are useful for getting around the lodge and quick trips to the bathroom. Light weight strappy sandals are ideal. Flip-flops are fine too but you'll need to be in toe socks if you plan on wearing them. 
• Toe socks are great for preventing blisters as they keep the toes separated from each other. I swear by Injinji liner toe socks. I got them for about 30 ringgit a pair from eBay (with free delivery) and I love them. They are soft and don't feel bulky between the toes.
• Organize and pack everything in separate plastic bags. If you or your porter gets caught in a heavy downpour, this will ensure that your things remain dry. I used garbage bags (but don't get the cheap ones as they tear easily).
• If you decide to carry water bottles instead of investing in/using a hydration pack, bring two 1-litre bottles. Nalgene bottles are very popular on the trek, but any normal drinking water bottle will work as well. 
• Bring your own medicines and vitamins from home, as what you get in Nepal can be very different from what you're familiar with.
• Bring a small flag of your country (or whatever you wish to represent) and/or a badge to pin on your jacket or bag. When you make it to the base camp, you will feel proud of yourself and your country (or whatever you wish to represent). 

Everest Base Camp Trek - Packing List for The Female Trekker

Footwear

• 1 pair hiking shoes
• 2 pairs liner socks 
• 2 pairs medium / heavy weight wool socks, for hiking
• 1 pair thick wool socks, for night / sleeping in
• 1 pair sandals / lounge shoes

Clothing

• 2 long sleeved thermals
• 2 long sleeved shirts
• 2 short sleeved shirts
• 2 pairs long johns / warm leggings
• 2 pairs pants, for hiking
• 1 pair thick fleeced lined pants or down pants, suitable for sub zero conditions
• 1 light fleece jacket or down vest
• 1 thick fleece jacket
• 1 down jacket, suitable for sub zero conditions
• 1 waterproof rain jacket
• 1 pair waterproof rain pants (I got by without these) 
• 1 pair wool liner gloves 
• 1 pair water / wind proof gloves
• 2 sports bra
• Underwear (mix of regular and disposable / biodegradable)

Head and Neck

• Bandanna
• Brimmed sun hat
• Warm neck gaiter
• Light beanie
• Thick fleece lined beanie
• Sunglasses with 100% UV protection

Trekking Gear

• Day pack / back pack, with rain cover
• Headlamp, with spare batteries
• Trekking poles (if you use them)
• Down sleeping bag
• Sleeping bag liner (optional)
• Two 1-litre water bottles, or hydration pack and one 1-litre bottle

Toiletries and Personal Hygiene Items

• Large pack of baby / anti-bacterial wipes
• Toilet paper
• Tissue paper
• Hand sanitizer
• Quick-dry hand / face towel
• Travel sized hair / body shampoo
• Toothbrush 
• Toothpaste, enough for 2 weeks
• Sun block, with SPF 50 or more
• Lip balm, with SPF 30
• Lotion / moisturizer for face and body
• Deodorant / Talcum powder
• Small comb
• Water purification tablets / Steripen

Medicine

• Oral rehydration salts 
• Acetazolamide / Diamox 
• Diarrhea tablets
• Ibuprofen / Panadol / Ponstan for headaches / pain / inflammation
• Antacids / Gaviscon
• Charcoal tablets
• Flu tablets 
• Strepsils / Throat lozenges
• Vitamins
• Plasters / Band-aids
• Anti-bacterial ointment
• Muscle rubs
• Period / Birth control pills (if you take them)

Others

• Journal / Writing material, if you write
• Book / Kindle / iPad, for reading / browsing
• Camera, with extra batteries
• Smart phone
• Portable charger
• Energy foods (power bars / gels, Snickers)
• Snacks (nuts, ikan bilis goreng, favorite Maggi Mee, bak kua, asam boi)
• Nail clipper
• Travel knife / tool set
• Small flag / badge of your country

Related posts: 

Everest Base Camp Trek - How and What To Prepare Before Going
Everest Base Camp Trek - What To Expect During The Trek