Himalayas Trekking - what to take / do

[DLRPmember]

I’m off to the Himalayas in late October. Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp. What are your top tips on items to take and preparation?

I have some amazing new boots. Thoroughly broken in. I’m training for a half marathon in early October. Visa booked and getting jabs soon.

On the eye out for some good socks. I have plenty but think there might be some amazing ones out there.

Any suggestions?

Good sleeping bag, it's bloody cold at the top. Lined hiking trousers and waterproof jacket. Practise walking up and down multiple flights of steps as that's what you'll be doing all day!

It is great though.

Thanks! I’ve made it my new rule to walk up stairs at every opportunity 😂

I got merino wool socks made by Darn Tough. They're fantastic and they have a lifetime guarantee. If they ever wear put they'll send you another pair. And because they're merino, they really resist smelling.

Excellent suggestions. I think we’re going to hire sleeping bags (4,season) when we get to Kathmandu.

Any thoughts on sunglasses? Feels like a high spec will be needed.

Lots of layers
Smidge bug spray
Come to terms with the reality of leeches in your socks if it's wet
P20 sun cream
Hat
Agree on the merino socks, toe socks version even better
Walking / hiking poles
Head torch
Put disinfection drops in every single drink even if from a bottle
Knee supports. Do leg strengthening physio beforehand.

My son hiked half the trail on a school trip this summer and with the above didn't get any insect bites or dodgy stomach either .. he did get leech bites though!

I survived the 17 days of no contact by putting a Moto tag in his rucksack which worked surprisingly well (air tag will be similar if iPhone)

Oh and he really increased his fitness by hiking with a heavy backpack in the UK, he did a two hour hike every weekend carrying 5kg and it really made a difference. He did have a porter to carry his big bag though so depends what you're doing about that.

I assume you have finished most of your half training by now, so can you fit in some multi day treks with a weighted backpack. Incorporate lots of hill work into your half training, even if it’s a flat road race.

At risk of pointing out the obvious, the trek is not the same as running 13 miles in shorts and a tee shirt and then resting for a week. You need to get used to carrying weight and walking up and down hills for hours each day.

Love the AirTag suggestion. The children are quite nervous about us doing this. I think the AirTag might amuse them.

Leeches!!!!

Our instructions advise not to wear red because the yaks are attracted to it….

HM is next weekend. Then I have a clear month. But I’ve been doing lots of leg work in the gym and stair master stuff. DH and I did a week of climbing in Skye at the end of August and will be doing some big walks in the last month before we go.

You might be leech free, he went in monsoon season!

It was an incredible experience, he is not sporty at all. I have to say if I had really looked at the environment carefully I might not have been brave enough to let him go, it really is steps for days and days. They did a circuit to Poon Hill and back to Australian Base Camp so only 5 days trekking which was enough.

Travel insurance that includes helicopter evacuation.

We do have a porter to carry our stuff. So just need to carry our day packs.

Have checked travel insurance. It includes helicopter evacuation and covers is up to 5000 metres.

Have an amazing time - I think the weather will be more appropriate at the time you're going too, so less rain and fog (and leeches) hopefully.

Thanks. October / November are supposedly the best months. We’re going on 29 October!

Just checked his kit list and I think the only.otjer essentials apart from the right sort of clothes and socks etc is a nail brush for properly clean hands and water bottles that are clear so you can see if the water looks actively dirty as you could filter it as well as the drops in that case 😬

https://kintoe.com for the socks.

He didn't get any painful blisters, but his feet were quite a state generally and he used flexitol after he got home which really helped restore them.

Brilliant suggestions @SilverBlue56- the clear bottles is a great idea.