Your packing list for peak climbing in Nepal

Jan 20, 2025

Reading time: 6 minutes

Peak climbing takes you up into the freezing world that exists above 6,000 m. Such expeditions require specialised mountaineering equipment and clothing if you're to stay warm and safe. Here's a complete packing list for going peak climbing in Nepal.

Nepal peak climbing

What WE provide

If you book a Nepal peak climbing adventure with Follow Alice, then all of the equipment described below is provided by us, the costs having been covered by your package fee. This setup not only makes life easier for you, but it also ensures you have all of the correct equipment necessary for a safe and enjoyable adventure!

Mountaineering boots:

These come with waterproof gaiters.

Alpine climbing harness:

Lightweight and has foolproof locking features.

Slings:

One 3 m (10 ft) sling and three 2 m (6 ft) slings to use with your harness.

Ascender:

Necessary when ascending with the aid of a rope.

Carabiners:

Everyone is given a selection of differently sized carabiners to use during climbing when necessary.

Belay device:

Necessary when rappelling, which you do during your peak climb.

Steel crampons:

We have various sizes, and all come with anti-balling to prevent dangerous snow buildup.

Ice axe:

Lightweight for easy use during ice climbs.

Climbing helmet:

An essential piece of safety equipment for when you walk below cliffs, rocks or ice.

Multi-LED head lamp and spare batteries:

For campsites and climbing in the dark.

This is the sort of mountaineering boot needed for a peak climb

Note: You don't need the above equipment for every peak climbing expedition. Your expedition guide will determine which equipment is necessary based on the particular mountain your group is going to climb.

In addition to being provided with what's necessary from the list of equipment above, your climbing guide may carry the following items if deemed necessary for your particular expedition:

Spare oxygen

An altimeter

, which will be used to determine your altitude should this be necessary.

What you must pack

The following items are for you to organise. We recommend that you try out every single one before bringing it to Nepal to ensure it’s comfortable and effective.

IMPORTANT: The packing list below focuses only on what's needed for your peak climb. For your multiday trek through the Himalayas to and from the mountain you'll be summiting, please refer to this packing list – it's the packing list we created for trekking to Everest Base Camp, which you likely won't be doing, but the items listed are the same as those needed for trekking anywhere in the Everest region.

Clothing

Here's what we suggest you pack clothing-wise for your peak climbing expedition, taking into account the fact that you're going to travel through Kathmandu too.

Head

1 x woollen or synthetic warm hat that covers your ears

1 x woollen or synthetic balaclava

1 x snood or neck sleeve

1 x bandana or head scarf

1 x polarised ski goggles with head strap*

* Ideally you should purchase self-tinting goggles that adjust to changing light conditions.

These goggles by Altina Sports are the sort of eyewear you need

Upper body

2 x thermal long-sleeved sweat-wicking vests

2 x long-sleeved trekking shirts

1 x polar fleece pullover

1 x polar fleece jacket (must fit over fleece pullover)

1 x lightweight down jacket

1 x very warm winter jacket with hood (must fit over down jacket)*

* The hood needs to be large enough to accommodate your climbing helmet. We recommend this jacket also be filled with down (like goose down) as this is a very lightweight and warm filling.

Women: Pack multiple sweat-wicking sports bras.

Hands

1 x polyethylene gloves*

1 x polar fleece mitten liners (inners)

1 x winter, waterproof mitts (must fit over fleece liners)

* You’ll wear these when tying knots, but note that they’re not mitt inners – you need a separate pair of mitt liners.

Brand recommendation: Icebreaker® is a mountaineering clothing brand that we highly recommend. We don’t have any sort of affiliation with them – we’ve just tested their gear and believe in it. In our opinion, no other company has been able to match the quality of Icebreaker’s materials and craftsmanship.

These merino wool mittens by Icebreaker are the sort of thing you need to protect your hands

Lower body

Sweat-wicking underpants

2 x thermal long johns

1 x trekking trousers (pants)

1 x polar fleece trousers (pants)

1 x waterproof, breathable over-trousers (overpants) with side zips*

1 x down- or duvet-filled trousers (or bibs)

* You want the side zips to run the full length of the trouser legs so that you can pull them on or off without removing your boots.

Feet

1 x down booties slippers for camp (optional)

2 x merino wool or polypropylene hiking sock liners

2 x merino wool or polypropylene hiking socks

1 x vapour barrier liner socks (or even just regular plastic bags like bread bags!)*

* These go over your sock liners. They’re waterproof and so help to keep your feet warm while also preventing any moisture that makes its way into your boots from reaching your feet, where it might freeze.

Down booties like these are great to have when you're inside your tent

Merino wool vs polypropylene

You'll have noticed we mentioned a few times that you should choose merino wool or polypropylene items.

Merino is a very breathable and soft type of wool that’s good at keeping you warm, so it’s a popular choice with trekkers and mountaineers. Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic that’s used to make many things, including non-woven fabrics that are both insulating and sweat-wicking and so are used to make cold-weather clothing.

Both merino and polypropylene clothing are very good options for your peak climbing adventure. That said, when choosing between the two, here are some things to consider:

Merino wool has natural anti-bacterial properties, which polypropylene does not.

Polypropylene clothing is cheaper.

Merino wall is breathable while polypropylene is moisture-wicking. Moisture-wicking fabrics are better than breathable fabrics at keeping you dry. So polypropylene garments might be the better choice if you’re prone to sweat a lot.

Finally, we just want to repeat that you need to please complement this peak climbing packing list with our mountain trekking packing list for details on everything else to pack, from sunscreen to hand wipes, cash, an adapter, altitude meds and more.