Five Pieces Of Gear: Going Nomadic In Nepal
Nepal is a land of extremes. At the exact same moment that oxygen-deprived thrill-seekers summit 20,000-ft peaks, a mere 200 miles away others ride elephants and fend off sweltering heat in the lowlands. Part of the year the rain never stops, part the year it never starts. Each extreme climate mandates a different set of gear, so creating an all-encompassing packing list is difficult. That said, here are five pieces of gear you’ll need no matter where you’re headed.
SteriPEN Traveler: Healthy Hydration In Your Hands
The only result of the tough guy’s “if-they-can-drink-it-so-can-I” mentality is a crash course on Nepali toilets. If SteriPEN sold a hip holster for round-the-clock access, we’d recommend that too—that’s how much you’ll use it. Until then, find comfort in the fact that Traveler is small enough to fit in your pocket or daypack. Other options just don’t make sense when even Nepal’s bottled water can make you sick. Do your liver a favor and go easy on chemical purifiers. In 90 seconds—a fraction of the time that boiling takes—the Traveler’s UV light purifies an entire liter. Not to mention, it can do that 3,000 times before the lamp burns out.
Best For: Anyone (everyone) looking to stay hydrated
Chaco Yampa Z/2 Sandal: The Lightweight Legend
From late night trips to the outhouse to soggy monsoon days, you’re going to need a pair of sandals. Get a pair that you can use for hiking as well. Chaco-lovers worldwide have long lamented that their beloved Chaco Unaweeps are too heavy for travel. The Yampa is Chaco’s response to pleas for light weight. Nepali porters frequently slog long days wearing nothing but cheap flip-flops. Keep up (as best you can) in the Yampa.
Best For: Trekkers and service trippers looking for a pack- and trail friendly sandal
Patagonia Torrentshell Stretch: Be Flexible
Anxious about heading to Nepal during the monsoon season? Chill out, relax and stretch. So what if it’s raining? The Patagonia Torrentshell Stretch allows you to be flexible, even in the fiercest of rains. Stretch ripstop nylon on the shoulders and arms gives better mobility so you can nail all the Downward Dogs and Warrior 2’s you want without your sleeves riding up and your bellybutton peeking out. A raincoat’s a necessity, and this one’s more comfortable than most.
Best For: Mid-monsoon missions
Osprey Stratos 34: What Do You Really Need?
Osprey Stratos 34 is big enough to fit the necessities and small enough to make you pack with a minimalist mentality. With the help of porters, “Daypacks” can become “weekpacks.” Although there is some controversy surrounding the exploitation of porters, if you pay fair wages for fair loads, you’re supporting the local economy. For a minimum of about 1,300 rupees a day (about 13 bucks) a porter will carry a 30-kilo load. You can rock a light and comfortable pack like the Stratos 34 and let the miles melt away.
Best For: Group trekking and long day-trips
Black Diamond Spot Headlamp: Itty-Bitty Reliability In The Big City
It’s no secret that headlamps are a necessity in the backcountry, but in Nepal they’re a necessity in the city too. Insufficient power supply can cause Kathmandu to experience over ten hours of planned power outages a day. Be prepared for even the most inconveniently-timed of black-outs with the Black Diamond Spot Headlamp. The Spot’s got options: up to 130 lumens to please your inner night-owl, or a mellow red mode to save you from waking up all the trekkers in the tea house. Most importantly, it has a lock mode that turns accidental, battery-draining switch-ons into a thing of the past.
Best For: Anyone who lacks night vision
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