Equipment & Clothing For Hiking/Trekking/Expedition

As to the equipment for trekking, your tour operator will do the big work for you, like the tent, cooking equipment, food, car, truck and pack animals etc. Even these facilities will be arranged by the company, you still need at least 2-3 months to prepare for your personal packing. When planning your clothing needs for a trek, think in terms of layers. Layers of clothing will keep you warm, but can be removed to gradually prevent overheating. During spring and autumn the night temperature in the mountains often dip below freezing, making warm gear essential. In the summer the days can be hot, requring light cotton clothing. Adequate wet-weather gear is also a priorit during the summer. Remember that the mountainous regions of Tibet can receive snow any month of the year, and always be prepared for cold weather if you will be trekking at elevations much above4880m.Make sure that the clothing you will wear most often can be washed in cold strean water and dries quickly.

Accessories and extra for trekking

Many of the following items are optional. Don't try to bring everything ,you would need a herd of yark to carry it.If you are on commercial trek, the weight limit for personal duffel bags is usually 15kg.

1. Pocket knife: Swiss -army style is best.
2. Sweing kit: One small kit.A leather sewing awl is ideal for big repairs.
3. Duct tape: One small roll for repairs.
4. Compass: For use with trail description and oriention with maps.
5. Altimeters: Measures altitude as a function of the barometric pressure.
6. Gaiters: Good for winter treks or wet trails conditions during monsoon.
7. Insulated booties: Down or fiber-filled, for the colder months.
8. Umbrella: The lightweight collapsible kind fpr rain and hot sunshine.
9. Waterproof ground sheet or poncho: Handy for laying out gear on wet ground.
10. Cooking pots: Necessary only if you are trekking as an indiviual.
11. Utensils: Supplied on commercial treks. Have your own pair of chopsticks if you plan to eat in local resturants.
12. Drinking cup: For the ubiquitouscuos of butter tea that will be served if you visit a monastery or Tibetan home. Carry it in your daypack.
13. Nylon cord: 15-20 feet for clothesline.
14. Toilet paper: Stock up before the trek starts. Always burn it after using.
15. Butane cigarette lighter: Superior to matches when burning used toilet paper in windy conditions.
16. Toiletries: Use a stuff sack to hold your toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, soapdish, dental floss, skin moisturizer, and perhaps a mirror.
17. Towel: Two small, thin towels are perfereable to one thick towel.
18. Flashlight: A headlamp is ideal for camping AA and D batteries are the most common in Tibet and China, but of por quality. Bring extra alkalines from hoe.
19. Plastic bags: A few of each size, from sandwich style to strong trash bags.
20. Sunglasses: Necessary for Tibet's bright, high altutude sunlight. Darker glacier-type glasses with side hoods are necessary in the mountains and after fresh snowfalls.
21. Sun creams and lip balm: Sun block with a 15SPF rating or higher is recommended.Lip balms prevent burning and chapping.

Hints for Woman Trekking in Tibet

It is not a tale that Tibet is the most secure places for women trekking in, if you are in a suitable manner! Tibetan care about the women's wear very much, so do not dress in shorts is the best choice, Because in Tibet, there are rare public toilet except in Lhasa or Shigatse the big cities. So it will be useful when you need do the personal things without shroud.