When planning for your trip, choose equipment that is appropriate for the activities, should be dependable, light in weight and is adaptable to a variety of weather conditions. All your equipment must function together as a system that you understand.

We recommend that you bring the following items.

Personal equipment list for a རི Ri Guides mountaineering expedition

(T) denotes items suitable for a རི Ri Guides trekking trip

(H) denotes items that can be hired in Leh

(bringing your own equipment's is always recommended)

Ice Axe (H): A general mountaineering ice axe of your size

Crampons (H): General mountaineering crampons

Trekking Poles (T)(H): Adjustable poles for the trek to base camp

Climbing harness (H): An alpine climbing harness

Carabiners (H): 4 locking and 2 non locking

Belay / Rappel device: For rappelling or belaying climbers

Helmet: Must fit over a wool hat and under climbing jacket

Ascender: One right- or left-hand ascender (Petzl is best)

Prusik Cord: 20’ or 6mm cord (2x 1.6m)

Light trekking shoes (T): For the trek to base camp, these can be worn at base camp and high camps depending on route conditions.

Mountaineering Boots (H): A boot with a built-in gaiter such as the La Sportiva, Millet, Scarpa, etc. Note: You can only hire white plastic mountaineering boots in Leh. For 6500m+ peaks: Double mountaineering boots are recommended.

Socks (T): Minimum 3 pairs of thick mountaineering socks and 3 pairs of liner socks

Short Underwear (T): 2-3 pair of synthetic short underwear

Long Underwear/Thermals (T): 2 pairs of thermal pants and shirts, 1 pair of expedition warmth thermals

Soft Shell Jacket (T): A hooded jacket for trekking and climbing

Soft Shell pants (T): For trekking and climbing

Insulated Jacket (T): PrimaLoft or Down for trekking and climbing

Expedition Down Jacket: A hooded down jacket with 800 minimum down fill

Insulated Pants: PrimaLoft or Down with full side zippers

Hard Shell Jacket (T):  For wet conditions

Hard Shell Pants (T): For wet conditions with full side zippers

Warm Hat (T): A warm fleece or wool hat

Balaclava (T): For your face and neck

Warm Beanie (T)

Sun hat (T)

Buff (T): For your neck & face to block the wind, UV rays, dust

Sunglasses / Glacier glasses (T): wrap around style sunglasses with dark lenses

Goggles: With dark lenses

Soft Shell Gloves: 1 pair

Shell gloves with insulated liner: 1 pair

Shell mittens with insulated liner: 1 pair

Expedition Backpack: A minimum 65-liter internal frame backpack

Trekking Backpack (T): Optional. A small pack for the trek

Sleeping Bag (T)(H): Rated to at least -20 °F. Down is preferable over synthetic

Compression stuff sacks (T): For reducing volume for your sleeping bag and down jacket

Self-Inflating pad (T): A full length air mattress (e.g. Exped, Thermarest)

Headlamp (T): With spare set of batteries

Cup: 16oz. Minimum, lightweight

Bowl: ½ liter minimum capacity, lightweight

Spoon: Plastic and lightweight

Sunscreen (T): 2 tubes, SPF 40 or stronger

Sunscreen for lips(T): SPF 30 or stronger

Thermos: 1 liter capacity

Water bottles (T): 2 bottles with 1 liter capacity (e.g., Nalgene)

Water Purification System (T): Tablets or Steripen

Water Bottle Parkas: Optional, to keep your water from freezing

Pee Bottle: 1 liter capacity minimum

Pee Funnel: For Women

Knife (T): Optional

Toiletry Bag (T): Toothpaste, toothbrush, baby wipes, etc.

Hand Sanitizer (T): 2 small bottles

Hand warmers / Toe warmers: 3 sets of each

Trash Compactor bags (4) (T): To line stuff sacks and separate gear

Camera (T): lightweight with extra batteries

Large Duffel Bag with lock (T): for transporting all personal gear to base camp

Small duffel bag (T): to store items in the hotel

Personal First Aid kit (T): Should include athletic tape, band aids, Ibuprofen, Moleskin, blister care products, personal medications, cough drops.

 

Recommended personal medication list for mountaineering expeditions and trekking trips:

• Acetazolamide (Diamox) for altitude illness
• Antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin or Azithromycin for gastrointestinal or respiratory illness
• Ibuprofen for muscle soreness
• Pepto Bismol for loose stool
• Excedrin for headaches
• Anti - nausea medications
• Band - Aids (Blisters etc.)

Recommended personal climbing snacks:

• Electrolyte replacement drink mixes: e.g. Nuun.
• Energy gels: Single serving gel packets e.g. GU, Clif shot, Powergel, etc.
• Energy bars: e.g., Power bar, Clif bar, etc

If you have any questions, please contact us.