Daypack: go for around 25-35 litres
Montane Medusa 32, £80
www.montane.co.uk
Rucksack liners: keeping you kit dry is vital
Exped Waterproof Fold Dry Bag, from £31 (pack of four sizes)
www.exped.com
Waterproof jacket: go for one that’s light, made from breathable and waterproof fabric (eVent, Gore-Tex etc) and has a good adjustable hood
Rab Latok Alpine Jacket, £220
www.rab.uk.com
Waterproof overtrousers: Look for ones with full length zips so you can get them on over your walking boots
Berghaus Gore-Tex Paclite Shell, £100
www.berghaus.com
Insulated jacket: you will need a warm jackets for the evenings look for down or synthetic down (ie Primaloft)
Berghaus Ilam Jacket (with hydrophobic down – can get wet and still keep you warm), £240
www.berghaus.com
Mid-layer: to sit over your baselayer and keep you warm
Haglofs Bungy Q Jacket, £120
www.haglofs.com
Walking trousers: look for articulated knees for unrestricted movement and water-resistant and quick drying fabric, zip-offs that become shorts too are a versatile option
The North Face Paramount Peak Convertible Pant, £65
www.thenorthface.com
Baselayer: this needs to be high-wicking fabric which moves sweat away from your skin, look for synthetic fabrics with some kind of odour control treatment or Merino wool
Smartwool NTS Mid 250 Zip T, £70
www.smartwool.com
Walking boots: take ones you’ve used for a while that are comfy and broken in. Ankle support recommended so go for boots rather than shoes
La Sportiva Evo Trango S Evo GTX, £235
www.sportiva.com
Socks: good socks are so important, look for flatlocked seams
Smartwool Hike Light Crew, £14
www.smartwool.com
Walking poles: they take up to 25% of your bodyweight off your knee joint, which over 16 days of walking can really add up, preventing knee and back problems later
Black Diamond Ultra Mountain FL Trekking Pole (ultra light and folds into three), £119; www.blackdiamondequipment.com
Buff: essential for keeping the dust off your chest and good for a headband/hat too
From £12.50
www.buffwear.co.uk
Hat: to keep your head warm and at Base Camp you’ll need to sleep in one
Montane Beanie, £20
www.montane.co.uk
Gloves: go for inner liners for when it’s not as cold as well as insulated warmer mittens for the evenings and colder days
Extremities Mountain Mitt £65 and Silk Glove, £15
www.terra-nova.co.uk
First aid kit: To make this Base Camp specific include Imodium, dioralyte, Diamox, paracetamol, cold and flu tablets, blister plasters and zinc oxide tape, antiseptic wipes, water purification tablets and hand sanitizer. Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight and Watertight, from £9; www.adventuremedicalkits.com
Notebook and pen: you want to record all you did try a weatherproof pad to keep your notes safe
Rite in the Rain All-Weather Outdoor Journal, from £5
www.riteintherain.com
Sleeping bag: vital in the teahouses as well as if sleeping as Base Camp (ideally needs to be four season)
Rab Andes 800 (Comfort limit -21degreesC), £410
www.rab.uk.com
Sleeping bag liner: keeps your bag clean and adds some extra warmth
Sea to Summit Reactor Thermolite Liner, £43
www.seatosummit.com
Water bottle: get at least a 1litre bottle and fill and treat water regularly
Sigg Heritage 1.0, £20
www.sigg.com
Suncream: use at least SPF 30 as the UV is much harsher the higher you go
Riemann P20 SPF30, £24.50
www.p20.co.uk
Insect repellent: to keep the mosquitoes and flies away
Lifesystems Expedition Endurance Spray, £9
www.lifesystems.co.uk
Adapter plug: for charging camera batteries and phones
Go Travel World Adapter + USB charger, £30
www.go-travelproducts.com
Sunglasses: to keep out the glare and the dust look for side shields to help and good lenses with UV protection are a must
Julbo Explorer, £95
www.julbo-eyewear.com
Travel towel: lightweight, quick-drying and packs down small
Lifeventure SoftFibre Trek Towel (Large), £20
www.lifeventure.co.uk
Headtorch: vital in the teahouses after dark when bedroom lights are reliant on solar power
Petzl Tikka 2, £35
www.petzl.com
