to do annapurna or not?

Fairly good list. I would not bother with pack cover and rain pants, getting serious rain is not a big possibility, just pack sleeping bag & clothes in plastic bags. Two pairs of convertible pants, why? Replace one pair with powerstretch legginses. 3-4 pairs of liner socks, then you can chance liners even during the day and still have a dry, clean pair for the evening. I would also take either a down vest or a light down jacket.

especially if your trekking pants are water repellent & fast drying. If there is high wind in Thorong La layer thremals, powerstetch & trekking pants.

RE: 20

Thanks Petrus. I thought pack cover would be useful to save my down sleeping bag from rain. Packing in plastic bags is not a bad idea. As you suggested, I would drop the 2nd pair of convertible pants which would definitely save some weight. Yes, the pants are fast drying nylon. You mentioned powerstretch legginses, which I understand are synthetic long johns or thermals? right? Yes, I am carrying carrying thermals. I some how avoided cotton, totally -- except as bandanas and towel.

I have decided to do this trek in mid October, instead of mid-September as several people suggested that it could be cloudy in Sep. October, I understand has good views and also lots of crowds.
T h a n k s A g a i n.

Couple of more questions:

What is Dal Bhat -- the food served at the teahouses. Is it Dal and Rice or Dal and Bread; also, is it nutrional (strength) enough to do the trekking next day.

Is it possible to leave my other baggage in my hotel in Kathmandu and do the trek and come back and collect it? Thanks again.

bhat means rice, additionally there will be pickles, veg curry or meat curry (u choose at order), sometimes curd - but will get less variety the higher u come

i always found it a great diet, never eat anything else there (this fancy western food on the menu doesn't taste well, u have to wait long...)
dal bhat is usually - after this anapurna conservation area project - available for the same price in each restaurant in a village, but again the higher u come the more expensive it will be... like all food

u can leave luggage at hotel, good ones offer a nice locker, sometimes for free. u can even leave it in pokhara if u don'T go from KTM straight to Besisahar

snow on thorong la is great, i passed it in nov. 06 after the terrible snowfalls - but in good weather again, clear blue sky, fascinating view...

we got up late, didn't join the run for the very fisrt morning hours to start, starting only after 8, slowly reaching the top between 12 and 1pm. for going down this means, that there will be a slight water film on the snow as it starts melting a little bit (only if there is a thick snow layer below)
i just sat down and did the better part of the path on my bottom - intentionally, great time! but take care

and to the coffee topic: as far as i know (i am also the tea type) there is only nescafe. maybe in manang or jomsom they have a really coffee machine, but i don't know confirmed...

have fun!!!

Is it easy to buy these medications in Kathmandu: Diamox and Dexamethasone

Also, can someone suggest a place to stay in Kathmandu, which also near to get the permits.

Thanks again.

bumping this great thread in hopes that others will see and add to it.