Important Dates:

Sunday, May 23, 9:00 AM - meet at the hotel in Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal.

June 08, Tuesday: End of Camp

June 09, Wednesday: Earliest day you can leave Nepal

Expected weather during the camp: The Mt Everest field camp coincides with the main climbing season in Nepal. This pre-monsoon time is typically calm, dry and cool. The air temperature in the area varies with the altitude, however the average daily air temperature is 40-50 deg Fahrenheit. Typically the daytime temperatures feel much warmer as the days tend to be sunny. Nights are cold dropping close to 32 deg F. Good quality sleeping bag and down jacket are essential.

Covered by your course fee: Your course fee pays for a mountain tent (two people share one tent to keep down cost and weight) and your sleeping mattress. --all food and eating utensils are provided while out of Kathmandu. In Kathmandu you are responsible of your own food (a good meal can be had for about $2 or more). ---the hotel accommodation during the camp in Kathmandu is included in the fee (two people share a room)

Required gear (without required gear you will not be allowed on trail)

Keep in mind that everything has to be carried and therefore light weight and small size are preferable. Everyone is limited on the trail to medium size duffel bag of less than 30 lbs of weight.

Clothing: Avoid fancy expensive gear because working in the field is rough on clothing which tend to get torn and broken. Manmade materials are preferable over cotton because man made dry quickly and are light weight.-field pants long with detachable legs, -long sleeved field shirts (shield against cold and sun), adequate underwear including socks and t-shirts, -high quality hiking boots with ankle support (sturdy for rough terrain, check with instructor or your local REI store if in any doubt, no one in sneakers or high top sneakers will be allowed on trail), goretex or rain coat (against rain and wind),-fleece jacket, down jacket, thin cotton gloves (for detailed work in cold weather; often sold in hardware stores), leather work gloves, warm mittens,-hat with full brim to shade from strong sun, insulated, wind proof hat (for sleeping and work in cold weather), high quality sunglasses with high altitude UV protection (+ optional inexpensive spare pair with UV protection, check with your optometrist, they can check the UV protection on any pair of lenses), flip flops or sandals for camp use and washing (can be bought in Nepal), long underwear manmade material (for cold days and sleeping), quick-drying and loose shorts (+ tops for women) for washing yourself in public water sources such as rivers

Sleeping: sleeping bag (warm, rated to 32 deg F or below)

Trekking:-backbag, midsize: comfortable well fitting for full day of carrying and working, midsize duffel bag (where your gear will be transported by porters during day), two 1 quart water bottles (Nalgene) or equivalent non breakable water carrier (camelbag) that can take boiling water, headlamp + spare batteries (led type saves difficult to find batteries on the trail), trekking poles (optional; for stability, safety, and added climbing power)

Toiletry: sunscreen with spf about 50 (yes fifty), large towel (in public wash sites you dress inside the towel), bar soap and travel box for washing in public, regular personal hygiene items (no room for bulky items or opportunity to restock), ear plugs for sleeping (can be found in drugstore), few needles and yarn for simple repairs of torn clothing

Medication: Discuss all medication related issues with your doctor. Also ask if you should have antibiotics for bacterial diarrhea (such as ciprofloxacin), eye infection, and medication for altitude sickness (such as diamox). Appropriate vaccinations should also be discussed well ahead of travel as some vaccinations require considerable lead time

At the bare minimum you need in your personal first aid kit:: small number of band aids for minor scrapes, mole skin (for blisters in your feet), Imodium AD for diarrhea, general head ache and pain medication , motion sickness medication (such as Dramamine for domestic flights), lip palm with spf about 10 (+ spare stick), iodine pills for emergency water purification, adequate assortment of all your regular prescribed medications, small containers of alcohol hand sanitizer (such as Purell)

Personal field gear: write in the rain field note book No. 350 F (sold in the internet and well stocked University bookstores) or other sturdy water resistant note book, one large format 8 by 11 inches note pad for scribbling and sketching in the tent (~100 pages/pad), several good quality pencils (+ few colored) and pens for writing, eraser, ruler/protractor, small inexpensive pocket calculator + spare batteries, wrist watch, whistle, topographic map of Khumbu area

Optional gear: small binoculars, camera + spare batteries (no opportunity for recharging batteries or downloading images while in the field), alarm clock, diary , Nepali phrase book

Discouraged gear: personal music player (such as iPod) you pay big bucks to experience another culture and nature, not to experience your own, please talk to instructor if you insist on bringing one, cell phone.

Extra gear and clothing: extra gear and clothing that you may bring to Kathmandu but are not taking to the field can be stored in Kathmandu for the duration of the field camp.

 

For more information Contact:

Jaakko Putkonen, Ph.D, Assistant Professor

Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, MS 8358

University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND 58202-8358

tel 701-777-3213  fax 701-777-4449

Jaakko.Putkonen@und.edu