Lobuche Peak Gear List

Puskar Rai
5 min readSep 16, 2019

Lobuche Peak is one of the most sought after Himalayan Trekking peaks of Nepal-considering the trekking route of legendary Everest Base Camp it follows and its technical ascent over 6000m. Prominently standing at an altitude of 6119m in Everest Region, Lobuche Peak climbing is gaining popularity among climbers, alpinists, and adventurers for the mind-boggling panoramic views of the Himalayas including the mighty Everest, Lhotse, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Island Peak, and others. From the summit, the jagged Himalayas are out of this world. Lobuche Peak Climbing in Nepal is a challenging and rewarding adventure, something different than regular trekking- it entails the use of climbing gears and mountaineering equipment. These equipment and gears are quintessential for peak climbing; steep snow, icy slopes, and strenuous climb demands genuine peak climbing gear list.

Apparently, without proper training and gears, no climb is doable; comfort, safety, and success of peak climbing are highly reliant on the gears and pre-climb training. That said, one must be meticulous while choosing gear and equipment, provided the pre-climb training will be conducted at the High Camp. Choosing Lobuche Peak Gear List is a paramount concern for Lobuche climbing, yet it can be burdensome, sometimes perplexing. So here’s a list of gear required for Lobuche Peak Climbing- A comprehensive Gear list for Lobuche Peak Climbing:

Climbing Gear

Ascender:

Ascender also called Jumar is a tool primarily used for ascending on a rope. It is made up of metals, and provide sturdy support for an upward ascent. It is comfortable to use with gloves or mittens for a firm grip.

Alpine Climbing Harness:

Alpine climbing harness or simply harness is a lightweight, adjustable and comfortable wearable gear. It comes with a waist belt and leg loop to secure lock around your waist and thigh with a rope or anchor point.

Crampons:

Crampons are pointy boot-exterior typically used for precise movements on steep surfaces, icefields, snow slopes, and ice-covered rocks. Crampons are key climbing gear for peak climbing. It is highly recommended to use 12 point crampons with anti-balling plates and horizontal frames.

Carabiners:

A carabiner (karabiner) is yet another must-have gear for peak climbing- minimum 2 locking carabiners are obligatory. Carabiner consists of a metal loop used in safety-critical systems. It is conveniently used in all rope-intensive activities.

Descenders:

Descender (Figure 8) is an aluminum 8-shaped tool used during descent- effectively helping to dissipate the heat caused by the friction. Descender is used with harness and carabiners for smooth descent on a rope.

Ice Axe:

Ice Axe is indispensable when it comes to peak climbing- used for ascending as well as descending. It is made up of stainless steel or aluminum, primarily used to cut and penetrate the ice surface or deep snow (can be used as a walking stick considering the assistance of shaft and spike.) Another remarkable use of Ice Axe is “Self-arrest.”

Ice Hammer:

Ice Hammer resembles Ice Axe at a glance and can be used as an alternative to adze of an ice axe. It is an optional tool in the gear list for mountaineering or climbing. Ice Hammer is predominantly used for hammering the hard ice.

Ice Screw:

An Ice screw is a tubular screw (10 -23cm length) used during ice climbing or crevasse rescue. It is one of the important climbing arsenal used for anchor and running belays.

Helmet:

The helmet is imperative in the checklist of climbing gear- for the protection of head (obviously) and successful climbing. The importance of wearing a helmet while climbing cannot be overlooked, considering the consequences of not wearing it.

Mountaineering Boots:

A sturdy and quality boots are must in you are thinking of any mountaineering and climbing adventure. Mountaineering Boots play a vital role in peak climbing; the importance of boots is self-evident considering injuries, frostbite and smooth movements and shifts on the snowfield and icefield.

Rope:

No Rope, No Nope- without a rope, no ascending and no descending. There are two types of rope: Static and Dynamic rope. Static ropes are used for abseiling and dynamic for belaying. The major difference between static and dynamic rope is dynamic ropes are elastic while static ropes are stiff.

Clothing

Head:

Sun Hat: a lightweight hat (with visor) for shading the head

Head Lamp: outdoor headlamp (water-resistant preferred) for hand-free lighting

Glacier SunGlasses: high-quality sunglasses for protection against reflected UVA and UVB radiation

Bandana or Head Scarf: Bandana keeps hair and face protected from dust and direct sunlight. Again Head Scarf is for the protection of head and hair from rain, chilly wind, and dust

Ski Goggle: high-quality goggle for protection of eyes from sun and wind at higher altitude.

Hand Gear:

Liner Gloves: Lightweight synthetic gloves for hand protection

Windstopper Fleece Gloves: midweight insulated gloves for hand protection against wind.

Expedition Mittens: expedition-rated mittens for the warmness of hand

Upper Body:

Fleece Jacket with Windstopper: warm fleece jacket for protection against the wind at higher altitude

Waterproof shell jacket: high-quality outdoor jacket (waterproof)

Down Jacket: high-quality and medium-weight down fill jacket

short -sleeve shirt: half-sleeve innerwear with vapor-wicking capabilities

Lower Body:

Light-weight pants: two pairs recommended

waterproof shell pants: two pairs recommended

fleece or woolen trousers: (two pairs recommended)

hiking shorts and trousers: one pair recommended

Feet:

lightweight inner socks: 3 pairs recommended

wool socks: 3 pairs recommended

Cotton socks 1 pair recommended

Gaiters

Personal stuff:

Sleeping bag: down or synthetic insulation filled and 0-degrees Fahrenheit rated

Inflatable sleeping pad: full-length inflatable sleeping pad recommended

Water bottle: one-liter capacity bottle

Small Travel Bag: simple and lightweight bag

Expedition Duffel Bag:

Small padlocks

Pee Bottle

Pee funnel for women

Trekking Poles

Swiss army knife

toiletry bag

Medical:

Personal First Aid Kit

Water purification tablets

Anti-mosquito creamAnti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide

Earplugs

anti-diarrhea pills

anti-headache pills

blister repair kit

Toiletries

Towel:

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Soap:

Deodrants:

Anti-bacterial Handwash:

Hand Wipes:

Body Moisturizer

Tissue Paper

Travel Luxuries:

Books

Journal

Camera

Map

Compass / GPS

Travel Games (Chess, playing cards)

Bath suit

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