Climb Mount Everest South Col
Equipment List

The following is a list of equipment for the Everest South Col expedition. Our philosophy is to prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. We may encounter a variety of weather conditions throughout our climb, including rain, wind, snow, sleet, and extreme heat. Skimping on equipment can jeopardize your safety and success, so we want you to think carefully about any changes or substitutions you are considering.

Most of the required equipment is available for rent or purchase from Whittaker Mountaineering in Ashford or online. RMI participants receive a 10 percent discount on new clothing and equipment items ordered from Whittaker Mountaineering (excluding sale items). The Discount Code is RMI 2009 for internet orders. For more information or questions regarding clothing and equipment items call 800-238-5756 or click below.

PACK & BAG

[  ] BACKPACK: A 4,000 cubic inch pack is the recommended size for this climb. Gear loops on the waist belt of the pack are very useful, and equip your pack with straps for adding items.
Guides' Pick: JanSport Whittaker LR

[  ] DAY PACK: A day pack is useful for travel on airlines, through airports, and overland on busses and jeeps.
Guides' Pick: JanSport Whittaker Alpine

[  ] SLEEPING BAG: A bag rated -20° F will keep you warm. If you would prefer NOT to share group bags at the higher camps, you should bring a second bag rated -20° F or lower.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Wraith -20 or Mountain Hardwear Lamina -30

[  ] SLEEPING PAD: Full length inflatable pad. We recommend bringing a patch kit / valve repair kit.
Guides' Pick: Therm-A-Rest Prolite 4

[  ] COMPRESSION STUFF SACK: A slightly oversized compression stuff sack can hold far more than just a sleeping bag when push comes to stuff.
Guides' Pick: Sea to Summit eVent®Compression Dry Sack XL

TECHNICAL GEAR

[  ] HELMET: We recommend a lightweight climbing helmet.
Guides' Pick: Grivel Salamander or Petzl Ecrin Rock

[  ] CLIMBING HARNESS: We recommend a comfortable, adjustable climbing harness that is easy to put on and take off while wearing gloves.
Guides' Pick: Black Diamond Vario Speed Adjustable

[  ] ICE AXE and HOLSTER: The length of your axe depends on your height. Use the following general mountaineering formula: up to 5’8”, use a 65 cm. axe; 5’8” to 6’2”, use a 70 cm. axe; and taller, use a 75 cm. axe. If you hold the axe so that it hangs comfortably at your side, the spike of the axe should still be a few inches above the ground. Add a holster to your pack.
Guides' Pick: Grivel Rainier or Black Diamond Raven Pro

[  ] CRAMPONS: The 12-point adjustable crampons designed for general mountaineering are ideal. Rigid frame crampons designed for technical ice climbing are not recommended. Carry any repair kit/replacement parts and adjusting tools which are specific to your crampons.
Guides' Pick: Grivel G12 with AntiBot plates

[  ] TREKKING POLES: We recommend a lightweight, collapsible pair of trekking poles.
Guides' Pick: Leki Ultralite or Black Diamond Spire

[  ] 6 CARABINERS: 2 locking and 4 non-locking. Do not bring the auto-locking types.
Guides' Pick: Black Diamond Rocklock Screwgate and Black Diamond Oval

[  ] MECHANICAL ASCENDERS: Bring 2 ascenders for traveling on fixed ropes.
Guides' Pick: Petzl Ascension Ascender

[  ] RAPPEL DEVICE: A figure eight rappel device works best for descending a variety of rope diameters.
Guides' Pick: Black Diamond Super 8

[  ] WEBBING / CORD / ROPE: Bring along the following material:
                [  ] two 60 cm sewn slings
                [  ] 35’ of 6 mm accessory cord        

HEAD

[  ] 2 WARM HATS: Two wool or synthetic hats; one light and one heavy.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Micro Dome or SmartWool

[  ] BALACLAVA/ NECK GAITER / BUFF
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch or SmartWool or Buff

[  ] BALL CAP and BANDANA: A lightweight ball cap with bandana or a sun hat works very well.
Guides' Pick: RMI Ice Axe Hat

[  ] GLACIER GLASSES: A pair of dark-lensed sunglasses with side shields or full wrap-type sunglasses is required. An extra pair is recommended.
Guides' Pick: Julbo Dolgan

[  ] GOGGLES: Amber or rose-tinted goggles are required for adverse weather. Additionally, a clear-lensed goggle for summit day is highly recommended.
Guides' Pick: Smith Rhythm and Smith Monashee OTG

[  ] CONTACT LENSES: Bring extra contact lenses and solution.

[  ] HEADLAMP: We strongly recommend Lithium batteries as they perform well in a cold environment. We also recommend that you bring an extra set of batteries. A smaller headlamp for reading at night is a nice option.
Guides' Pick: Petzl MYO XP

HANDS

A good glove / mitten combination is important because of the variety of weather conditions experienced throughout your climb. Below are some recommendations. Your glove combination should include three separate layers that work well together.

[  ] LIGHT WEIGHT GLOVE: One pair of fleece or wool gloves.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Kahiltna Glove

[  ] MEDIUM WEIGHT INSULATED GLOVE: One or two pairs of wind/water resistant ski gloves.
Guides' Pick: Marmot Randonee Glove

[  ] HEAVY WEIGHT INSULATED GLOVE or MITTEN: One pair of wind/water resistant, insulated gloves or mittens for protection against wind, snow and cold. These also serve as emergency back-ups if you drop or lose a glove.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero Mitten

UPPER BODY

[  ] QUICK-DRYING SHIRTS: One or two.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Wicked T

[  ] BASE LAYER: Two long-sleeve, light or medium weight top will be used as your base layer. Light colored tops are ideal, since dark colors absorb heat from the sun, and neck zippers will provide extra ventilation.
Guides' Pick: SmartWool Next-to-Skin Lightweight Zip-T: Men | Women or Patagonia Capilene 3 Men | Women

[  ] INSULATING LAYERS: A variety of insulating layers work well. Your choice of garment (fleece, soft-shell, etc) and the number of garments (two or three) should be based on how well you do in the cold. Generally speaking, we recommend two layers that work in combination with each other.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Dragon Jacket; Mountain Hardwear Alchemy Jacket; Patagonia R.5 Top; Mountain Hardwear Ozone Jacket

[  ] SHELL JACKET: You will need a jacket made of rain/wind resistant material with an attached hood.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Pinnacle Jacket

[  ] INSULATED PARKA: Everest BC and ABC are the places these parkas were designed for. The parka may be either goose down or synthetic fill and should have at least two inches of insulation thickness.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Parka

[  ] DOWN SUIT: A second option, though not as effective, is a down parka and pant combo.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero Suit

LOWER BODY

[  ] BRIEFS: Bring several pair.
Guides’ Pick: SmartWool or Patagonia

[  ] TREKKING PANT: A lightweight synthetic pair of pants is a good option for the approach trek.
Guides’ Pick: Mountain Hardwear Trekking Pant

[  ] BASE LAYER: One pair light or medium weight bottoms will be used as your next-to-skin layer.
Guides' Pick: SmartWool Microweight Bottom or Patagonia Capilene 3

[  ] CLIMBING PANTS: Synthetic climbing pants offer a wide range of versatility. You can wear them alone on hot days, or in combination with the base layer on cold days. The thickness (insulation quality) should be based on how well you do in the cold.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Windstopper Tech Pant or Mountain Hardwear Makalu Pant

[  ] SHELL PANT: A pant made of rain/wind resistant material will be needed for the climb. Full-length side zippers are required for facilitating quick clothing adjustments over boots and crampons.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear GTX 2.5 Pant

[  ] DOWN OR SYNTHETIC INSULATED PANTS: This is an optional piece of equipment that many people find useful at BC and ABC.
Guides' Pick: Mountain Hardwear Compressor Pant

FEET

[  ] MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS: Expedition-style quality plastic double boot, with high altitude expedition-style inner boot is mandatory. Price is the best indicator. Though expensive, the function of footwear is of crucial importance. Select a brand’s “top of the line” model and it should be sufficient for Mount Everest. The boot needs to be roomy enough to allow for good circulation. Anticipate a sock combination when sizing them (single sock, liner and sock, or two heavy socks on each foot). Wear the boots as often as possible before the climb, to determine proper fit, comfort and performance.
Guides’ Pick: Scarpa Inverno with High Altitude Liner (combined with overboots) or La Sportiva Olympus Mons (all-in-one boot / gaiter)

[  ] OVERBOOTS: Expedition overboots add significant warmth, especially at high altitude. The overboots need to be compatible with the style of crampons used. These are not necessary with all-in-one boot / gaiter models.
Guides’ Pick: Forty Below Purple Haze or Outdoor Research Brooks Ranger

[  ] GAITERS: A knee-length pair of gaiters, large enough to fit over your mountaineering boots, will be needed. This will protect you from snow, mud, and catching your crampons on loose clothing. These are not necessary with all-in-one boot / gaiter models.
Guides' Pick: Outdoor Research Expedition Crocodiles

[  ] SOCKS: Four to eight pair, either wool or synthetic.
Guides' Pick: SmartWool Mountaineering or Adrenaline Heavy Crew

[  ] TREKKING BOOTS: These boots will take a beating on the rocky trip to and from Advanced Base Camp. Get a tough pair.
Guides' Pick: Timberland Cadion

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[  ] CASUAL CLOTHES: For travel, hotels and restaurants. Include shorts and a bathing suit.

[  ] COMFORTABLE WALKING, CAMP, OR TRAVEL SHOES

[  ] PERSONAL MEDICAL KIT: keep it light but include at least the following items:

[  ] Band-Aids	[  ] Moleskin or blister kit	[  ] Antacids
[  ] Aspirin / Ibuprofen	[  ] Imodium	[  ] Pepto-Bismol
[  ] Small roll of adhesive tape

[  ] PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS: We recommend that you talk with your personal physician about obtaining the following for your personal medical kit.
[  ] Antibiotics for traveler’s diarrhea
[  ] Acetazolamide for altitude illness (250 mg. tabs)
[  ] Tylenol 3 for pain

[  ] SUNSCREEN and LIP PROTECTION:
Guides' Pick: Coppertone Sport SPF 30

UTENSILS:
[  ] Bowl
[  ] Insulated mug with lid
[  ] 2 Spoons
[  ] Lighter
[  ] Pocketknife
Guides' Pick: Buck Whittaker Lumina

[  ] CHEMICAL HAND WARMERS

[  ] 2 WIDE MOUTH WATER BOTTLES WITH INSULATED COVERS: Write you names on your bottles.
Guides' Pick: Nalgene water bottles and Outdoor Research Water Bottle Parka

[  ] POTABLE AQUA

[  ] THERMOS: We recommend a high quality, lightweight, unbreakable ½ to 1 quart thermos.

[  ] 5 LARGE GARBAGE BAGS: We recommend lining your backpack and sleeping bag stuff sack with garbage bags to keep items in your backpack completely dry.

[  ] 2 AA ALKALINE BATTERIES for avalanche transceiver. Avalanche transceivers are supplied by RMI.

TOILET ARTICLES:
[  ] Toothbrush
[  ] Toothpaste
[  ] Baby wipes
[  ] Small container of waterless hand sanitizer

[  ] TOILET PAPER: 2 rolls

[  ] URINE BOTTLE: 1 to 1½ quart size

[  ] EAR PLUGS for sleeping

[  ] CAMERA

[  ] WATCH with alarm and light: Altimeter models are popular.

[  ] READING / LISTENING MATERIALS

[  ] SEVERAL STUFF SACKS
Guides’ Pick: Sea to Summit Sn240 Siliconised Nylon Stuff Sacks

[  ] 3 DUFFEL BAGS: 2 extra large duffel bags with name tags and small locks. These will be carried by porters and yaks and need to be of good construction and waterproof. One small duffel is needed to store gear in Kathmandu while on the climb.
Guides’ Pick: Sea to Summit Duffel L or Gregory Long Haul XL or XXL and Gregory Alpaca

[  ] PASSPORT valid for 6 months beyond your return date. The following items can be of aid if you lose your passport, airline ticket or luggage.

• [  ] Photocopy of your passport
• [  ] Photocopy of your flight schedule
• [  ] Photocopy of your airline ticket receipt
• [  ] Photocopy of personal equipment inventory
• [  ] 2 extra identical passport photos

[  ] SECURITY/MONEY POUCH: and money, credit cards, etc.

[  ] MEALS: You will need lunch snacks while on the mountain. Bring drink mixes, snacks and items you will enjoy at altitude. Three to four pounds will be plenty. See Food Recommendations for suggestions and number of meals needed.

PROVIDED EQUIPMENT

RMI provides the following group equipment and technical hardware for your climb: tents, upper mountain community sleeping bags and pads, stoves and cooking equipment, climbing and fixed ropes, avalanche transceivers, climbing anchors, shovels, route wands, radios for on-mountain communication, and comprehensive first aid and repair kits.

Climbing oxygen will be provided as follows: 1800L at C3, 3600L at the South Col, and 1800L at the Balcony. We will also supply a limited amount of “extra” oxygen at Camp 3 for “practice” during the C3 acclimatization cycle prior to the summit bids.

GENERAL PACKING INFORMATION

• Duffel bags made of tough material and with a rugged zipper are preferable over suitcases.
• Make sure everything fits comfortably in the bag and that all sharp points are covered. Crampon cases, point protectors and duct tape work well to cover sharp objects.
• Protect your clothing, sleeping bag, insulated parka, etc from water by placing them in plastic trash bags inside your duffel on the airline and throughout the trip.
• Two lighter or smaller duffels are easier to manage than one large duffel.
• Write your name on the inside and outside of your duffel bag and inventory the contents. Keep this inventory list with your important papers.
• Stuff Sacks are a great way to help organize all of your gear.

PRE-TRIP CHECKLIST

[  ] Purchase travel insurance

[  ] Return the Registration Packet to the RMI Office

[  ] Reserve rental equipment

[  ] Arrange flight to Kathmandu

[  ] Be in the best shape of your life!