As soon as you book your place on a Mera Peak expedition, you’ll want to get thinking about the kit you’ll need. After all, you’re going to be trekking for 23 days, in changing weather and increasing altitude… it’s a lot to think about! You also need some technical gear, too. If you’re trekking with Earth’s Edge, we send you a comprehensive packing list as soon as you book. That covers everything from toiletries to plasters! But this Mera Peak packing list will give you a good idea of what you’ll need…
The Ultimate Mera Peak Packing List
Equipment
- Synthetic mountaineering boots*
- Gaiters if your boots do not have a built-in gaiter (rental boots typically do not come with built-in gaiters)
- 12 point crampons (if you don’t have crampons, an ice axe, sling or harness we will provide them for you)
- Walking ice axe (60 – 70cm)
- Sling (approx size 120cm x 10mm) x 2
- Climbing harness & two screw gate carabiners
- Trekking boots
- Runners or sandals (to wear in transit & at lower altitude when not trekking)
*This item may be available to rent upon request.
Clothing
- Mid-weight hiking socks x at least 3
- Heavyweight hiking socks x 2
- Lightweight liner socks (for summit night)
- Underwear (synthetic rather than cotton underwear is advisable)
- Shorts x 1
- Lightweight trousers x 1
- Softshell trousers x 1
- Synthetic/wool/silk long johns x 2 (for night time use and summit night)
- Waterproof trousers (N.B. make sure the trousers have zips to the knee at least)
- Long sleeve base layers x 2 (silk, wool, or synthetic)
- Short sleeve base layer x 2 (as above)
- Mid-weight fleece, down or soft shell jackets x 2
- A down jacket. It must be heavy weight with a hood (at least 900 grams in weight)
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof poncho
Accessories
- A fleece hat to wear in the mornings and evenings
- A buff
- Category 3 or 4 sunglasses
- Category 3 or 4 ski goggles
- A sun hat with a wide brim to cover the face and neck
- A pair of lightweight wool or synthetic liner gloves
- One pair of heavy mountaineering gloves
- A pair of heavy down mitts
Trekking Gear
- Walking poles
- Day rucksack (35 to 45 litres)
- Duffel bag (100-150 litres)
- Dry bags
- Three wide mouth 1 litre water bottles. If you wish to bring a water bladder to use at lower elevations you can but it will not work at high altitude so you need bottles
- Water bottle insulators for each of your bottles
- A 500ml thermos flask
- Warm sleeping bag (comfort rating of -20°C or lower)
- A sleeping bag liner
- Spare laces
There are plenty of other bits we suggest, from personal first aid kits to little bits like diaries and cameras. If you want to have a look at our full kit list, shoot us an email and we’ll send it on to you. You can read all about our expedition to Mera Peak here…
