Bistari, bistari 2.0 - A second trip to Nepal - EBC Packing List


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Asia » Nepal » Lukla
March 15th 2013
Published: June 10th 2013
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So, what did I take? What worked? What didn't? What would I do differently next time? <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">PACKING LIST (Trek Only, not the easy bits in KTM, the hospital or Thailand) <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Denali 65l Gear Bag <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Kathmandu Kassei 18l day pack <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />2 Kathmandu 1l BPA free water Bottles

1 Generic vaccuum flask
<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Kathmandu day pack water resistant cover <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Sea to Summit Trek TK III sleeping bag <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Silk sleeping bag liner <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Kathmandu Stuff Sacks- small, med and large, 2 medium dry bags <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Kathmandu Dry Bag 65l <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Kathmandu toilet bag with hook <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Kathmandu Microfibre Pack&Go Towel M <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Kathmandu Microfibre Pack&Go Towel XS <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Kathmandu Headtorch, 4 spare batteries <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Camera- Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 10x optical zoom, 20x intelligent zoom<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />3 camera batteries (1 authentic, 2 generic)-and 3 SD cards (1 x 32GB, 2 x 8GB) <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />IPOD <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />IPhone, charger <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Converter Double Plug
<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Crocs <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Saloman Trail Shoes <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />3 pairs ankle TEVA socks <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />2 Pairs Kathmandu wool mid socks <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Generic ski gloves <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Kathmandu liner gloves <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />1 polar fleece scarf <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />1 wool hat (penguin)<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />1 wooly hat

1 Northface peak cap/legionnaire style
<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />4 pairs sensible undies <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />2 sensible bras <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />1 set thermals- Denali merino wool, 1 extra bottoms

2 Macpac merino v neck singlet <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />1 Macpac merino LS v neck T

1 Icebreaker LS T
<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />3 Icebreaker SS crew neck T's

1 Sarong
<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />1 Kathmandu Merino 320 1/4 zip LS sweater <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />1 Eddie Bauer First Ascent down vest
<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />1 Kathmandu down jacket <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />1 Kathmandu Gortex jacket <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />1 Columbia convertible zip off pants (to shorts)

1 Mountain Design pants (mid weight)
<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />1 Pr Polar fleece pants(bought at Shonas in KTM) <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />3 'Survivor' buffs (bought at Shonas in KTM)

1 Northface knock off money belt
<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Medications- Panadol, Neurofen, Panadeine Forte, Azithromycin, Gastrostop, Stemetil, Buscopan, Amoxicillin, Diamox, Gastrolyte, Tinidazole, Chlormycetin eyedrops <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />First Aid Kit - Saline solution, bandaids, fixomul, iodine wipes, gauze dressings, sling, bandage, surgical tape, scissors, sterile syringe and needles. 2 x Hand gel, 1x sunscreen, lots of small packs of Kleenex, 2 large ziploc bags, 3 small ziplocks. Toiletries. <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />1 Generic trekking pole (bought at Shonas in KTM) <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />1 bottle iodine tabs, 1 bottle taste masking tabs (bought at Shonas in KTM)

Duct tape
<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">RATING <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />* Epic Fail <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />** Fail <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />*** Fine <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />**** Very Fine <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />***** Legendary, will definitely come on next trek <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">LUGGAGE
<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Denali Gear Bag 65 litre ***





Pros - Cheap, on sale for about $22.50 last year<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Cons - Plastic clasp broke off very early so just had to tie middle straps together. Rip in bag towards end of trek- duct taped<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/Brands/Denali/60litreCargoDuffleBag-894


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Kathmandu Kassei Day Pack 18l (A cycling hydration daypack , can take 3l hydration bladder, designed for female shape) ****




Pros - good size for me, easy to access all the stuff I needed, got it a clearance outlet for 50%!o(MISSING)ff last year<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Cons - none <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />http://www.kathmandu.com.au//40323/Kassei-Pack-Women.html <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />
<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ACCESSORIES


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 2 Kathmandu 1l Water Bottles ***** (skinny shape)




Pros - 50%!o(MISSING)ff sale at Kathmandu <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Cons - I only actually needed 1 bottle given that I had a flask as well

http://www.kathmandu.com.au/drink-bottle-bpa-free-tall-green.html





• Generic 1 l vacuum flask *****

Pros - cheap, slim so it fitted in side pocket of day pack <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Cons - none
<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Kathmandu Day Pack Water Resistant Cover v2 dark slate*




Pros - cheap on clearance AUD $17.99, foldable into own pocket and light <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Cons - hmmm- day pack is wet after rain- waste of time - should have learnt my lesson from last year<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Accessories/Hiking_&_Daywalking/Water-resistant_Covers_&_Bags/40419/Pack_Raincover_v2.html


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Kathmandu Headtorch, 4 spare batteries *****




Pros - Got it for $30 last year with damaged packaging, bright, stayed in place, angle function was good, didn't need any battery change <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Cons - None <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Accessories/Lighting_&_Optical_/Headtorches/61141/Head_Torch_Falcon_100.html
<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Sea to Summit Trek III Sleeping Bag *****




Pros - AUD $280, Got it for $50 less than RRP on ebay, perfect bag - really warm, handy internal pockets to sleep with batteries and money inside <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Cons - None <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />http://www.mainpeak.com.au/outdoor/sea-to-summit-trek-iii-sleeping-bag-regular.html


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Silk Sleeping Bag Liner *****




Pros - really added to the warmth factor at high elevation, super light weight. Some nights I wrapped it around my upper body only as it was warmer

Cons - none


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Kathmandu Stuff Sacks-






small, med and large mesh, 2 medium dry bags
<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">(***** mesh *** dry)




Pros - All ultra cheap, Mesh sacs great to keep things compact and compartmentalised and being able to see easily what was in them, dry sacs functional but too hard to know what was in them, didn't need the dry sacs as all packed in the 65l dry bag but I had them already. Tip- You can fill dry bags with hot water from the kitchen for a bit of a wash. <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Cons - None <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Accessories/Travel/Packing_Solutions/40449/Stuff_Sac_v3.html


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Kathmandu Dry Bag 65l *****




Pros - On special AUD $29.99, Excellent, kept everything protected, dry and clean inside my trek bag <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Cons - none <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />http://www.kathmandu.com.au//40418/Pack-Dry-Sac.html




<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Kathmandu Toilet Bag with hook ****





Pros - AUD $19.99, hook was a winner; could hang it in bathrooms (where no shelf) and rooms in teahouse, mirror a good asset <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Cons - toothpaste leaked (messy), maybe a sealed plastic compartment would be a good idea, mirror broke <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Accessories/Travel/Toiletries/40335/Kit_Bag_Deluxe.html <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />

<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Kathmandu Microfibre Pack&Go Towel M ***** and XS *****





Pros - very absorbent, could wrap wet clothes in and wring out even more water to improve drying speed, super cheap (buy 1 get 2 free) <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Cons - none <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Accessories/Travel/Toiletries/60782/Microfibre_Towel_-_Pouch_v2.html



• Camera- Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 10x optical zoom, 20x intelligent zoom *

Pros - Good while it lasted

Cons - It died on Kala Patthar, seriously disappointed as you can imagine. Luckily Mary had a camera too


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 3 camera batteries






(1 authentic, 2 generic)-and 3 SD cards (1 x 32GB, 2 x 8GB)*****

No regrets on number of batteries even though I used only 1 before the camera died. Based on Mary's camera experience the authentic battery lasted about 3 times longer than the generic batteries and we used them on high rotation due to the cold. My recommendation is to buy authentic. Took 3 SD cards as my plan was to rotate the cards through the camera daily, that way if I lost my camera I would only lose 1/3 of my photos- I am still happy I did this even though I didn't lose anything.

• IPOD***

I used the Nike Plus Ipod function to measure some of the walk distance. It would only last 1 day at a time due to the cold and it was too expensive to recharge so I only recharged if free. Rarely listened to the music- I liked the sounds of Nepal!


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• IPhone and charger (bought a Nepali N-Cel SIM in KTM)*****





Glad to have them, had good reception in Kathmandu, patchy good reception for most of EBC. No reception at all on the Upper Mustang. Expensive to recharge in the teahouses but free at lower elevations
<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Converter Plug*****





Essential, I had a double, should have stuck with a single- the double was too heavy and wouldn't secure without duct tape
<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 1 Generic Trekking Pole (bought at Shonas in KTM) *****





<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Pros- Cheap, Utterly essential. SOOOOO glad to have it. As well as being used for the purpose that it was intended it also came in handy to keep mules at a safe distance, for pointing out mountains/scenery, to prop up phone charger into power point, to hang stuff on, as a photo prop, for writing in snow and propping open doors/windows. Excellent multipurpose tool! <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Cons- None <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />
<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">CLOTHING


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Crocs (generic $4 pair from Target) ***** - brilliant, comfortable, leavable after trek, washable, excellent for use in toilets







• Saloman Trail Shoes (mid) *****- brand new but worn for 2 months prior to the trek. Ultra comfortable with absolutely no foot issues. Good grip. Lightweight. I didn't feel that ankle support was overly essential for me.


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 3 pairs ankle TEVA socks ***** - because I had trail shoes ankle socks were fine, I love these socks, they are breathable, warm and comfortable. They dried out quickly pegged on my pack every day. I have had them for about 4 years and they are still in great shape. I managed to burn 1 pair- don't ask and managed but 3 prs are ideal.







<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 2 Pairs Kathmandu wool mid socks ***** - 1 pr good for sleeping in, wore the extra pair when it was really cold.







<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Generic ski gloves *** - not warm enough even with a liner







<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Kathmandu Liner Gloves **** - worked well, used them most days for the cold as well as sun protection.








<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 1 polar fleece scarf *** - didn't really need it, my down vest/goretex were high necked enough






• 1 wool hat (penguin) ***** - perfect, small enough to go under a peak hat, warm and cute



• 1 wooly hat * - 2 wool hats is 1 hat too many




<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 4 pairs sensible undies (Holeproof Parisienne Boyleg) *****- perfect quantity, quick drying, no ride factor- gotta love these undies.







<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 2 sensible bras ***** - perfect quantity, quick drying.







<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 1 sets thermals- 1 pr Denali merino wool to sleep in *****, 1 pr extra bottoms* the Denalis were great- really warm and comfortable, only wore my extra pair of bottoms once so a waste of time.








<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 2 Macpac merino v neck singlet ***** - wore one every day, comfortable and warm, looked good as a singlet top in Pokhara where it was hot.





http://www.macpac-outlet.com.au/en_au/gear-and-clothing/womens-merino/107201338733157.html


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 1 Macpac merino longsleeve v neck tee (green) ***** essential, warm, comfotable, nice shape, looked good






http://www.macpac-outlet.com.au/en_au/gear-and-clothing/womens-merino/106421338732572.html


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">•









2 Icebreaker LS T (orange, blue)-

***** essential, warm, comfotable, nice shape, looked good, glad I had 3 LS in total for mixing it up a bit







• 3 Icebreaker SS crew neck T's (orange, pink, purple)

***** essential, warm, comfotable, nice shape, looked good, glad I had 3 LS in total for mixing it up a bit


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 1 Sarong ***** - an essential item on any trip, anywhere, any time. Used as a scarf, a cover on the matress and pillow, a wrap, etc, etc





<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 1 Kathmandu Merino 320 1/4 Zip LS sweater ***** - great addition, warm but breathable, not bulky, looked good all the time despite it being worn a lot and not washed at all.







<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 1 First Ascent Down Vest ***** -essential to have, central core keeps warm, would absolutely take again.






• 1 Kathmandu Down Jacket ***** - excellent, used many nights.


<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 1 Kathmandu Gortex Jacket ***** - excellent in keeping off wind and rain, tough and hard wearing.






<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 1 Columbia Convertible Zip Off Pants (to shorts)***** - old and faithfuls, didn't zip off the legs at all, too cold. Rolled up the legs to mid calf some days. Will use them until they die!






<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 1 Pair Mountain Design Mid Weight pants ***** - good 2nd pair, warmer for a few days that I needed extra warmth. Also good in that they were more stretchy and easier to climb in

<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 1 Pr Polar Fleece Pants (Shonas in KTM) ***** - brilliant apres trek in the teahouses, durable and warm, very unflattering but who cares?







<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 1 Fake Northface Legionnaires Hat (Shonas in KTM) ***** - essential for sun and wind, absolutely non-negotiably essential for fair skinned redheads.






<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 3 'Survivor' Buffs (bought at Shonas in KTM)***** - essential for warmth and wind, 1 is absolutely non-negotiably essential, an extra 2 was utterly frivolous (but fun)





<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">HEALTH
<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Medications- Panadol, Neurofen, Panadeine Forte, Azithromycin, Lomotil, Stemetil, Buscopan, Amoxicillin, Diamox, Hydrocortisone cream, Gastrolyte. - Used the Panadol and Neurofen. Used 1 course of Azithromycin and 2 Gastrostop. Gave away a few cold and flu tabs, the hydrocort cream and some Stemetil along the way. You need to be prepared and have all the stuff even if you don't use most of it.






<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• First Aid Kit - Saline solution, bandaids, fixomul, iodine wipes, gauze dressings, sling, bandage, surgical tape, scissors, sterile syringe and needles. - Didn't use anything, but as above you need to be prepared. Mary used the fixomul.






<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• Miscellaneous - 2 x Hand gel (only got through 1), 1x sunscreen, lots of small packs of Kleenex (bought more along the way), 2 packs of wet wipes (essential IMHO), 2 large ziploc bags, 3 small ziplocs, chocolate bars (thank god for chocolate, weighed too much though ), duct tape (essential), 1 book (swapped it then swapped again along the way), small diary (essential), travel scrabble (wouldn't take again), Yahtzee (essential, light weight and a great icebreaker). Also took a Swiss army knife- handy for cutting chocolate bars into equal peices for sharing, also cuts through fruit bars and nak cheese with a flick of the wrist. Portable clothesline and some pegs were an excellent addition! Lip balm - essential. Lipstick (very essential) - anyone who knows me knows that it is essential.





<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">• 1 bottle iodine tabs, 1 bottle taste masking tabs (bought at Shonas in KTM) - didn't end up using, just used boiled water.





<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">SUMMARY <br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Gear- Because this was now my 2nd year of trekking in Nepal I mostly took my own advice for this year (last year several TA contributors were helpful (thanks AlanYeti)). Lonely Planet Thorntree is useful if you are going for the first time. LP's "Trekking in the Nepal Himalayas" was invaluable, I can't seem to put it back on the book shelf (I can't rule out a third year). Being on mountain shop email lists are useful- never pay full price IMO. This year we trekked earlier and I was glad of the extra down layer.

<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Tips - Used the formulas suggested on LP and TA for our porter and guide and then were pretty generous , especially as there were only the 2 of us.

<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Soliciting - We didn't give to any kids asking for stuff, I don't think it does the culture any favours (or their teeth). We did give some kids hair elastics, pens and notebooks when they weren't solicited but I wish in retrospect we hadn't- on reflection I think it was insensitive.<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />Immunisation - Had rabies shots (AUD $100 per shot x 3) last year, didn't bother this time, had flu shot (get one yearly anyway as I am a nurse), had Adacel/Polio (AUD $78)(tetanus, pertussis and polio booster) last year not this year, had typhoid shot last year not this year, am already immune to Hep A, Hep B, mumps, measles and chickenpox. Didn't need antimalarials. I really like my GP (Goran) and his nurse (Janet)- he is great- knowledgeable and emails you info/answers questions by email, etc. Anyone reading from Perth feel free to message me for his details.

<br style="color:򇨣 font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" />The End - Thanks for reading, I hope it is useful or entertaining, or maybe both. Feel free to email me if you have a any questions/comments- g.groom@iinet.net.au. Gill.

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10th June 2013

I'll feel deprived !
without my daily dose of 'Gill's Travels' I've thoroughly enjoyed your blogs - lots of lovely descriptions, and honest reactions. The first two treks rekindled all sorts of great memories, and whilst your last trek hasn't quite inspired me to rush off to the upper Kali that's because I'm addicted to the wetter, forested foothill areas and the glacial uplands rather than the dry zones, but it's been great following your progress. I'm looking forward to your third trip to Nepal !
10th June 2013

But wait..... there's more!
No getting off so lightly Alan! You still have the Hospital and the Langtang to go!!
10th June 2013

That's a relief !
I'll look forward to that (and there are almost too many trees, even for my taste, in the lower Langtang)

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