Because Nancy and I are both first time climbers (is that right, Nancy, are you a
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first time climber?), and because it's a requirement to be able to climb this mountain, we'll use a guide group for our climb. Researching the guide group is top on the list of to-dos. Nancy has several friends who have already made the climb and the son of a high school friend of ours who made the trip in 2007, has kindly offered to talk with us about which group he used and all the things he learned.I've also started researching what kinds of supplies and clothes are needed for the trek up the mountain. I found a pretty comprehensive listing of all the recommended supplies. From what I've read, I need to train using the boots I'll be wearing during the climb, so I need to find them first.
This is the tedious part, but of course necessary. What I don't understand is why we need synthetic shirts...I always thought cotton or some other natural fiber would be best, but the list specifically says, synthetic...huh. Okay, so boots and fake fabric shirts, shorts, socks, a pocket knife...now how am I going to get that on the airplane...balaclava and...leg gaiters - what the heck are those?
Clothing
- 2 synthetic shirts, long sleeve
- 2 synthetic t-shirts
- 2 pairs of synthetic hiking shorts
- 1 pair of synthetic trekking pants
- 1 pair of warmer hiking pants
- 1 or 2 pairs of fleece long underwear/ trousers
- 1 pair of leg gaiters
- 1 pair of socks per trekking day, with at least 2 pairs of lighter (synthetic) socks and 3 pairs of heavy wool/synthetic blend
- 1 pair of underwear per day
- 1 warm fleece jacket
- 1 goretex rain/wind shell
- 1 pair of goretex rain/wind pants
- 1 poncho
- 1 fleece sweater
- 1 pair of fleece glove liners.
- 1 pair of cold weather gloves or mittens
- 1 pair of light windproof gloves
- 1 warm hat
- 1 sun hat
- 1 balaclava
- 1 pair trekking boots (medium weight, waterproof)
- 1 pair of walking/camp shoes
- 1 pair UV-blocking sunglasses with side-gussets
Other Equipment
- 1 soft (no hard frame or wheels) duffel bag or backpack (porters will carry)
- 1 daypack
- Plastic bags of different sizes (to protect clothes against rain)
- 1 warm mountain sleeping bag (10 degree rated (F))
- 2 trekking poles – highly recommended
- 1 head lamp (with extra batteries and light bulb)
- 1 emergency foil blanket
- 1 pocket knife
- 3 One-liter water bottles, or substitute with hydration pack
- Sun block. We suggest the highest possible SPF rating
- Water purification tablets / or filter/pump. We recommend tablets as the best and most fool-proof way to purify water.
- 2 bandanas
First Aid Kit
Your first-aid kit should include the following:
-Blister bandages /mole-skin
-Small bandages (band-aids)
-Elasticised support bandage (ace-wrap)
-Safety pins
-Small pair of scissors
Medicines in your first aid kit s(I'm supposed to discuss all of this with my physician):
-Analgesics (pain killers); Acetaminophen (ie. Tylenol), Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Vidocin* -Anti-Allergy; Hydrocortizone (ointment), Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (oral anti-histamine)(ie: Sudafed); Epinephrine* -Antibiotics; Bacitracin (ointment), Erythromycin*, Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride* (Cipro) -Antacids; Bismuth sabsalicylate (ie. Pepto-Bismol) -Anti-Diarrhea; Loperamide hydrochloride (ie. Immodium), Tinidazole* -Anti-Emetics (anti-vomiting); Prochlorperazine*, Promethazine* -Anti-Vertigo (anti-motion sickness); Meclizine*, Scopolamine* -Altitude illness medicine ; Acetazolamide* (diamox), Dexamethazone*, Nifedipine* -Sterile eye drops -Anti-malarial prophylaxis medicine*
* Prescription medicine
The good news is that there will be porters to carry all this stuff...they are going to need a very big tip at the end of this jouney. The even better news is, I get to go shopping for new stuff! Life in thinland is good...very good!
Well Lori, I climb in and out of bed each day, so if you don't count that, yes, I am a first time climber.
ReplyDeleteAlso, is it just me, or do we both look like we have our eyes closed in this picture?
I'm planning to meet with a friend who has previously done this and will confirm the items on your list above and let you know her feedback on them. I'll also see if she knows what leg gaiters and balacava are. And I too would have thought cotton would have been better...would it be because of possibly getting wet from rain maybe? We clearly have our work cut out for us.
No bed climbing does not count as climbing experience, but I really wish it did. We could claim more than 100 years of experience between us that way.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about the picture, Nancy...It's not my favorite either, but it's all I had of the two of us together. And, yes our eyes are officially open; we're both just smiling so big that we're squinting.
I can't wait for your report on your meeting with your friend. I'll keep my credit card locked away (which is very hard for me – especially when I have a list!) until we get her official ruling on the supplies. I'll be talking with Aaron this weekend and will ask for his input on the list as well.
I think you're right about the synthetic fibers - they dry faster than cotton, so that's probably why the specification. We'll call this a mystery solved! Now, on to the next challenge :-)