Touring Northern Pakistan Gear List

Collapsible skiing/trekking poles. Three section, adjustable-height models are preferred.

Three pairs of medium to heavy hiking socks. These must fit over your liner socks if you plan to wear liner socks.

Waterproof hiking boots designed for hiking in cool to cold conditions. Modern, lightly insulated boots with room in the toe box and good support should be stressed. Models like the Scarpa Terra GTX are ideal.

Two to three pairs including the pair you are wearing on Day 1. Synthetic or wool fabrics only - no cotton! Bring comfortable athletic styles based on your needs and preferences (e.g., boxers, briefs, sports bras).

Non-cotton baselayer bottoms that should fit snugly without constriction. We recommend lighter weight baselayers rather than heavier fleece-type layers. Wool, wool blend, polyester, or other synthetic fabrics all work well. Be sure your baselayer pants are not constructed from cotton.

One long-sleeved base layer top. This item must be constructed of a non-cotton material such as merino wool or polyester. Note that light-colored, hooded sun shirts are strongly recommended for sun protection, and are worn by guides throughout most climbs.

One pair of lightweight synthetic hiking pants. Some prefer to bring zip-off styles, though that is not required.

Non-insulated, fully waterproof shell pants that must fit comfortably over your baselayer bottoms and softshell pants. Full-length separating size zippers are generally required; occasionally, 7/8th zippers (extending from the cuff of the pant to the upper hip) can suffice but are strongly advised against. Check out our write-up to learn more.

A second non-cotton baselayer top. Wool or synthetic fabrics are required. Short or long sleeve acceptable, though we recommend long sleeve.

One or two short-sleeved outdoor t-shirts for hiking on warm days. "Tech tees" work well for this, as they are synthetic and quick-drying.

A midweight, form-fitting, lightweight fleece layer for use over baselayers. Hoods are optional but recommended. Grid fleeces generally provide the best warmth-to-weight ratio. Note that very light puffy jackets can also suffice as a midlayer.

This breathable but wind-and-weather resistant jacket is a key part of a mountaineering layering system. We recommend a hooded model. This layer must fit well over your midlayer top and baselayer top. Check out our write-up to learn more.

A non-insulated, fully waterproof shell jacket with a hood. Must fit comfortably over your baselayer, midlayer, and softshell.

Your lightweight insulated jacket serves either as a layering piece or as stand-alone insulation when appropriate. This may be filled with down or synthetic insulation. Down feathers are more packable and lighter weight, while synthetic insulation will retain warmth when wet.

Midweight, lightly insulated, fully waterproof gloves designed for wet-weather use.

Two buffs are a must-have. The UV Buff is a versatile replacement for the bandana and serves a multitude of purposes. Note that you may consider waiting until you are in-country to buy a local version of this product for your second Buff. Check out our write-up to learn more.

Any style of lightweight hat for shading the head will work well. Baseball caps and sombrero-style sun hats are the most common.

A non-cotton wool or synthetic hat that covers the head and ears comfortably.

High-quality, UV-blocking sunglasses with good all-around protection are recommended. A good fit is critical for comfort- try on glasses to check for a comfy fit and good light blockage. Keep in mind that high-quality lenses are an absolute must due to mountain sun.

A modern outdoor LED headlamp offering 200-300 lumens of output. Freshly installed batteries plus spare batteries. Rental headlamps do not include spare batteries. Weather-resistant models are strongly preferred. Check out our write-ups <a here to learn more.

A lightweight day pack for travel, acclimatization hikes, and cultural days. Approximately 15-20 liters. Emphasize simple lightweight designs.

A pillowcase is strongly recommended for use in the tea houses. While not required, it is a small, light item that affords extra comfort. Travel or regular versions can both suffice.

A small packable towel and a small bottle of soap/shampoo can be nice to have, as showers may be purchased at times during the trip.

A waterproof cover, sized appropriately to fit your pack, is recommended for staving off rain showers.

A full-length, modern inflatable sleeping pad is recommended. Older-style three-quarter length pads have been superseded by ultralight full-length pads. We recommend bringing a valve repair/body patch kit.

Whether filled with down or synthetic insulation, this bag must be rated to 20°F and feature a collared hood for warmth. Be sure to include a compression stuff sack.

Bring two one-liter capacity hard-sided water bottles. Wide-mouth, BPA-free plastic bottles are ideal. Nalgene brand bottles are recommended. Do not bring metal bottles, and do not bring soft-sided water bottles.

A hydration reservoir is optional while hiking to the lower camp(s) on the mountain. We recommend a 2L hydration bladder for maximum comfort and ease. 2 hard-sided water bottles are still required on this trip. This combination will allow you to stay hydrated while carrying some backup water in case of a reservoir puncture. We recommend the HydraPak Water Reservoirs, as this system is far more durable than a traditional Camelbak product. Note that guides may inform at the gear check that a hydration reservoir is not usable if below freezing temperatures are forecasted. Check out our write-up to learn more about hydration systems.

Collapsible or hard-sided 1 liter Nalgene models can work well. If opting for a collapsible model, please pick a 1.5-2 liter model as it allows for more space while using in your sleeping bag. For longer expeditions and colder mountains (Everest, Vinson, Denali, etc..) we strongly recommend a hard-sided 1 liter Nalgene as the collapsible models tend to crack in extreme temperatures. Check out our write-up to learn more about pee bottles and funnels.

Optional. Practice is critical for the use of this item. Check out our write-up to learn more about pee funnels and bottles, and this webinar for expert advice and tips from a female mountain guide.

Three heavy plastic garbage bags for use as waterproof pack/stuff sack liners. Trash compactor or contractor bags are made from a heavier plastic and stand up well to prolonged mountain use. Alternatively, a reusable waterproof pack liner can be used provided it completely fills the inside of your pack.

Optional. Small point-and-shoot cameras (including compact SLR's) are ideal & work well at altitude. Alternatively, many opt to use a smartphone camera. Due to weight & care in the mountain environment, large dSLR cameras are discouraged.

Small portable battery bank for charging personal items like a cell phone. We recommend models that weight less than 7oz and have enough charge for the length of the trip. Good options Goal Zero Flip 36 which can charge a smartphone three times. We strongly recommend keeping phones in airplane mode to increase battery life in the field. If concerned about pack weight, we recommend forgoing this item.

Include toilet paper (stored in a plastic bag), hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, wet wipes, and any personal medications or prescriptions. Choose a quantity appropriate for the length of your trip. Female climbers should bring an appropriate amount of feminine hygiene products for the duration of the trip (for international trips, these can be difficult to find last minute in-country).

You need to be able to treat two to four liters of water for personal consumption each day. While Steri-Pen purification tools are very popular, climbers are required to bring one set of Aquamira chemical treatment drops or tablets in case your Steri-Pen fails.

Two to four ounces of SPF 30+ sunscreen. Varieties with zinc-oxide are more protective! Two to four ounces per week is typically sufficient, but several small tubes can offer insurance against lost or exploded tubes. Sunscreen loses SPF rating over time; we strongly recommend brand-new sunscreen.

Several tubes of SPF 30+ lipscreen. As with sunscreen, be sure your lipscreen is new.

Lightweight, comfortable running or walking shoes are recommended for pre- and-post trip travel.

Basic medical supplies in a compact package. We recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, Moleskin, first-aid tape, Band-Aids, and anti-septic wipes or gel.

Bring any personal prescriptions, plus Pepto Bismol, Metronidazole (500mg tablets), Z-Paks (500mg tablets), Diamox (125mg tablets, approx. 2 per day at altitude), Zofran (4mg tablets), Immodium, Erythromycin ointment for those who wear glasses/contacts, cold medicine (Mucinex, Tylenol cold +flu, Theraflu), and a variety of over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Some find that Excedrin (a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine) works particularly well at relieving altitude-related headaches. We also recommend a selection of hard candies and cough drops to handle the cold, dry air.

Many alcohol-based hand cleaners will work well. Bring a small amount appropriate to the trip duration.

All the food for this trip is provided, but bring any snacks or other food and drink items you wouldn’t want to trek without!

We recommend bringing a personal selection of energy bars and Gu for the trek.

Please let us know in advance if you have any food allergies we should be aware of.

For traveling to your start location we recommend a standard expedition size duffel with a travel lock 80-100 Liters size. This bag will travel with you every day, except on our overnight treks. For the overnight treks we will provide a medium sized soft-sided duffel for transporting your belongings via porter or donkey.

All climbers must bring a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination card . Please reference the logistics page for protocols and other requirements specific to your trip.

Please pack several quart-sized Ziploc bags, extra batteries for any electronic device (such as a headlamp or Steri-Pen!), and consider packing outlet adapters depending on your itinerary. An assortment of items to make your travel comfortable and secure will ensure a smooth trip.