Getting Equipped for Everest

So much to buy, so little time. Thank God for online commerce!

Trying to pack for a trip like this is difficult. We are going to be trekking for 16 days. We'll be outside the entire time with temps ranging from 70 F down to 15 F (sometimes in the same day), wind, and possible rain. We'll need gear to stay warm and dry.

Plus, we'll need the proper clothing and gear to run a trail marathon -- trail running shoes, hydration backpack, power gels and fluid.

Camera, netbook, personal items, etc., etc.

The list goes on and on. However, we're limited to 30 lbs. on the trek. This will be interesting.

I'm compiling a checklist of everything I will need to take on the trip. This is essential because I'm bound to forget something -- I just want to minimize the important items that I leave behind. And it's not like you can run to a local Walmart to pick up something you forgot.

So I started off with sleeping gear: 15 degree down bag, thermarest pad and -- a pillow (wimp!). It's all lightweight and packs to a small size.

Next is clothing, the tough part. Facing such a wide range of conditions, I'll need a variety of clothing: down jacket, stocking cap, gloves, fleeces, rain suit, long- and short-sleeve tech shirts, pants, shorts, socks, underwear, etc., etc. The hardest question is how many of each? There will be some opportunities to wash clothes but they will be limited (but once you wash them, will they dry?). There are no laundromats in the Himalayas. We will also need to leave a drop bag with clothing in Namche Bazaar, the race finish. Our gear from the race start at Everest Base Camp will not arrive at Namche until evening, many hours after the finish.

Running gear is pretty straight forward. Depending on the temps at the start of the race, I'll wear shorts or tights. I'll wear a hydration backpack that can also carry the clothes I'll need to strip off as we go lower in altitude and it gets warmer. I have my trail running shoes and will take my YakTrax. I don't know if I'll wear the YakTrax. The first part of the race is on the Khumbu Glacier which will be snow covered.

Then there are the odds and ends: water bottles, first aid kit and medications (what to bring for the inevitable diarrhea), toiletries, race food (gu, energy bars, electrolyte powder), camera, books, good sunglasses (I need to get some), sunscreen, washcloth and towel. . . . I know that I've forgotten a bunch of things.

That adds up to 30 lbs., right?

I haven't done any camping in years, so I need to buy a lot of this gear, especially the winter equipment. That's a little tough in Richmond in the spring -- most of the stores only have their summer items in stock.

So off to the Internet and online commerce. This is really the way to buy stuff these days. You can see the full range of products available, get reviews (which were very helpful to me), and then search for the best prices. For example, I bought a North Face Nuptse down jacket (I had to get a North Face and the Nuptse, I'm going to Everest. Online prices ranges from $132 (in an odd color and my size S) to $219. Obviously, it pays to look around rather than going to the local Dick's Sporting Goods.

The UPS and FedEx guys have been making regular visits to my house. The boxes from Amazon, Campmor and REI have been rolling in. Of course, this has been driving Therese nuts. I can hardly wait for the Visa bill to come in next month. Oh, I'll be on the trip then. Good timing.