I am part of an organized trip flying from Kathmandu to Lhasa and hiking back. What equipment should I definitely plan on bringing to Kathmandu because I cannot purchase it there or it would be exorbitantly expensive? My travels beforehand require little in the way of hiking/camping gear. So, it would be much easier if the items I need to purchase were bought in Kathmandu.
Thanks
M
jbh347
1
yakshaver
Definitely get yourself from home a pair of good, studry and at the same time comfortable, boots. These need to be worn-in, not brand new in other words... You must have worn them for a couple of weeks, around town, or on shorter walks, else there could be disaster. Blisters and foot injury can stop a trekker...
Basically you can find anything you want in Thamel (the KTM tourist ghetto), where there are zillions of equipment shops, both new and second hand. Most of it will be Nepali or Chineze made, but it will be relatively cheap and will definitely last you for the trek. Look and feel the product (e.g. sleeping bags) as quality can vary. I have picked up an excellent downe sleeping bag for 60 USD, which still works pefectly after 8 years. On the other hand, it could have only worked for a couple of treks, which would have been still ok, thinking of the price I paid.
I would definitely get the boots (and perhaps socks) from home. Anything else you'll probably pick up cheaper in KTM.
2
beth74
I definitely agree with yakshaver.
There's a real North Face store now heading out of Thamel towards the palace, tho I doubt prices are any different than at home. I would also check out Shona's in Thamel, they carry better quality stuff both domestically produced and imported.
Have a great time!
3
petrus
Curious about the route. Hike all the way from Lhasa? Where you cross the border, ON FOOT??????
4
yakshaver
A good discussion and lists of equipment is on the following link (you may need to subscribe to access...)
http://trekinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4050<BR><BR>Else just go to trekinfo.com into the News and Views of Trekkers, and then into the Sticky threads with FAQ.
beth74, regarding Shona's in Thamel, I will have to check it out on my next trip in December... Thanks for the tip. Do you know roughly where in Thamel is it located?
5
jbh347
Thanks for the feedback. I am definitely taking my hiking boots, a North Face shell and other small equipment.
Related to my previous question: Is it feasible to rent a backpack in Kathmandu and store a regular piece of luggage for two weeks? Again, I will be doing more conventional traveling beforehand, where using a backpack is a pain in the you-know-what with little of the benefits. I would love to come with a regular piece of luggage, some trekking items and then rent a pack and a few other items.
Thanks again
Petrus - I am doing an organized tour that flies to Lhasa and then hikes/drives back. Why the "ON FOOT??????"? Perhaps the punctuation wasn't intended, but it comes across as dismissive and indignant. Did I miss something?
6
la_vache
I think there was the impression that you were hiking all the way from Lhasa to KTM, which would be quite an effort indeed.
7
petrus
I am particulary curious if you are able to cross the border on foot somewhere, not driving across at Kodari like everybody else. The headline is "Tibet-EBC-Nepal trek"...
8
jbh347
Ahhh. My mistake. I thought the default drive-bike-hike mix was really all you COULD do, especially with the latest visa issues. That said, I guess for the variety and type of people that would traipse around Nepal and Tibet nothing should be ruled out.
So, I am starting an organized tour that flies from Kat to Lhasa and makes its way back to Kat over the following two weeks.
Regards
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