Ok, so cold is subjective. I am using the Marmot Lithium (lower en -4.5) and Thermolite sea to summit extreme bag liner (up to +25). I am sleeping on an Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm with a r value of 5.7. Using a fudge factor of 5f for the bag and 15f for the liner that leaves me at -10.
I do not sleep cold, so I believe that this combination allows for flexibility between low and high altitudes. The last week of February starts in KTM and I will slowly move up. The average Feb/Mar min temp in Lukla is 8F. As I head up to EBC and sleep in Gorak Shep (17000) a drop of 3.5 per thousand leaves me at -20 min temp. I am concerned about the 10 degree differential. I have a down coat and am investigating down pants. (low cost suggestions?) I believe that they would be sufficient for the 10 degree difference. Am I off or being too conservative with my fudge factor above?
December, is the time for the snow so here are few things that is needed,
Super glue and Extra shoe less
Lip Balm and Moisturizing Cold Cream
Fleece Jacket
Buff
Finger and Toe warmer
Thermal Layers
Windproof Trouser
Gaiters
Light shoes and Sandals
Crampon
Trekking shoes(ankle)
Sleeping bag
First Aid kit
Down jackat
Gloves
Winter Hat
rain cover and bag cover
Trekking pole
Water bottle
What do I need to pack for a 2-month journey though Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan in June and July?
How cold does it get in the higher elevations? Is a fleece jacket plus windproof shell warm enough OR do I need a North Face down jacket plus layers?
Do I need to take a sleeping bag, or is bedding provided in hostels, guesthouses, and homestays in these countries?
Is there anything that I should make sure to bring?
Thank you for any advice!
One sleeping bag.
Books, definitely too heavy.
I usually put my rucksack in a big fold up cheapo hold-all for the plane hold (charity shop?), just to keep the shoulder straps etc enclosed and out of the way of snags. You can leave the hold-all with any other stuff that you don't need on the trek, back in the KTM hotel strong room (usually no charge).
Five days in NZ... in Winter... Tis' a tricky one for sure.. where are you coming from? Are you likely to be jet lagged?
Wellington is a great city but it is not really close to much.. unless you are in a town that celebrates the snow with lots of tourists, then NZ can seem pretty sleepy to a visitor.. If you like fine dining and wine and just relaxing and wandering, I would be tempted to stay put in Wellington, there will be a few things to do there like visiting the Weta workshop the 16 year old may like that and Te Papa a must visit too. Check and see if there are any festivals, art exhibitions or plays on When you are there. Also depending on where your friends are living if it is not close to central city and you do decide to stay in Wellington get yourself a nice hotel right in the middle and enjoy the best of it.. if you get some sun it is just beautiful.. botanical gardens, the harbour.. the drive around the bays BUT if you get wind and rain.. you are going to regret your life choices.. that is New Zealand.. welcome :)
I don't think I would bother flying anywhere else as it just chews into a day and you just end up in another city...unless you fly to Queenstown (and that would be the only place I would suggest to fly to at that time of year). Others may think differently. I look forward to reading any other suggestions..
There are lots of gear shops in the Thamel area of KTM which will rent sleeping bags. You could just walk in to the first one you see and check a bag for warmth and cleanliness. For use in the KTM valley you would not need to seek out the warmest and lightest/most compact (as you might if trekking). If you wanted a steer to a good places I'm sure people will share info if you ask.
If you are going to Kopan I have found the blanket provided to be warm enough in February and November (as well as warmer months in between).
BTW, there are not so many shops selling second hand gear these days.
I have been able to travel with a 34 liter pack, holding my spare clothes etc, but also a DSLR (Canon 5D or Nikon D800e) with either just one 24-120mm zoom, or a couple of lenses plus a spare P&S. A few times a fairly large prosumer video camera. One secret being no jeans*, but modern hiking pants which are much lighter and pack smaller, also no boots but just one pair of trail runners. Of course no sleeping bags either, or other bulky items. Generally just the number of spares which fit. First decide the size of the pack, fit camera gear inside, and live with what space is left. Not gathering all the stuff you THINK you need, and then find a pack big enough to hold it.
On some photo reportage trips I have actually been able to use a 24 liter pack, even stuffing a smallish messenger style bag inside for flights, and a set of 1-2 mirrorless Fuji system cameras with a couple of lenses. Countries have been quite warm, though, so fairly thin clothing was enough (Israel, Jordan, Burma).
34 liters also of course means carry-on for planes, as long as the weight stays low enough.
*) like, why 2 pairs of jeans AND hiking pants, when one pair of light hiking pants would do, + light capris as spare?
329 Thanks for the reply.
We just had contact with a mountain guide. At this moment it is snowing which means that the ice conditions are good.
Since you have climbed both mountains. Which one has the most beautiful views/surroundings?
Both mountains are good. I like Izta because it is more like a mountain, rather than a volcanic cone. The views are potentially great from both, but can also be obscured by clouds on both. I had a sleeping bag stolen from the high hut on Izta normal route (Groupo Cien Hut), luckily it was stolen when I was going to the summit (and off the mountain later that day), rather than the day before when I was checking the route above the hut where I left my gear (something to keep in mind).
As an older man (old man) I was challenged by Izta a year ago, whereas Pico was easy for me when I was in my prime many years ago. I think as a climber you would like either mountain. If time allows, you could do Malinche, then Izta, and Orizaba. Maybe a good acclimatization and weather check program.
I dont know what your climbing level is. I havent done El Misty, but in reading about it online it looks certain to me that the normal routes on both Izta and Pico de Orizaba are more technically difficult than any route on El Misty, though El Misty is higher than both Izta and Pico de Orizaba. If that altitude is at ones threshold, then it could be that such a person might find lower though technically more difficult Izta to be easier. Have a good safe trip!
p.s. Im sure you know about Chachani in the Arequipa area of Peru, touted as the worlds easiest 6,000 meter peak. I did this years ago (mid to late 1990s), but Im reading there is far less snow these days. I found Chachani to be easier than Izta or Pico de Orizaba as well, at least technically.
Hey all
I’m looking for a decent 2 or 3 night trek heading out from Pokhara in early October.
I’ve been doing loads of research and have been suggested a number of different ones but one thing is that I am a bit limited due to a dodgy knee which makes extended ascents and descents a bit painful and potentially locking up altogether, obviously not something I want to deal with in the middle of nowhere! Short climbs shouldn’t be too bad, but it pretty well rules out something like Poon Hill.
The three that I’m considering are
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The Ghandruk Loop via Dhampus and Lhandruk, although I’m a bit worried about the climb out of the valley up to Ghandruk – does anyone have any advice about how long this would take and how hard it might be on the knees?
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Panchase Trek, although I am aware that there is a pretty long ascent or descent near Pokhara.
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A recommended but seemingly lesser travelled (ie very hard to find any info online) walk from the village of Ghachok overnighting in the tea village of Lwang and then on to Australian Camp.
I am of course open to any suggestions of other suitable treks that people have, or advice from anyone who has done any of these ones or is familiar with the regions that they pass through.
Basically, I’m considering these issues;
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not have too many steep uphill or downhill bits, due to the sore knee and potential for it to seize up.
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have the chance to experience some nice non-touristy villages along the way, and to see a bit of village life.
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be able to see some different scenery during the hike - rivers, forests, canyons, fields, valleys, etc.
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and have the opportunity for some amazing mountain views! (I'm not necessarily fixed on having to see Machhapuchhare from the other side, it's just something that people seem to mention!) But yes, the opportunity to get some great photos, especially at sunrise/sunset and certainly those 'wow' up close to the range moments if at all possible! Any advice on how different the views are from Australian Camp vs Ghandruk for example?
Many thanks in advance for any and all responses – it’s greatly appreciated!
I have taken the bus several times to and from Morelia. There was an incident 2 years ago when I was leaving Zihua. The bus stops in Ixtapa and picks up people before it gets on the highway to go back to Morelia. I was snoozing a bit into about an hour of travel when I heard all this commotion. I was unclear what was going on with people running up and down the aisle. I thought the worst, thinking robbery!
Finally I asked a woman across from me what was up and she told me that this guy behind them, was taking pictures of her sleeping daughter's cleavage!! Her husband and the perpetrator were arguing and causing quite the stir. The bus driver finally pulled over on the highway and immediately 3 trucks of Federales showed up. They made the bad guy (he had a wife and child) sit in the back until Morelia! That was the most excitement I have had on that trip after several visits to Zihau since 2004!