Kit List

I've been asked a few times what I'm taking with me. Here was what was suggested

Breathable Waterproofs – top and bottoms
Down Jacket or similar – insulating
Fleeces – insulating layers
Base layers/thermals
Beany hat/cap
Gloves. Suggest Icebreaker woollen glove liners, as well as over ski glove type
Sunglasses – these need to be polarised, or CAT 3 lenses minimum - well worth investing in.
Sleeping bag (suitable for down to -9oC and above)
Decent walking boots (these need to have been worn in)
Trekking socks
Travel towel
Good, supportive Rucksack – you should have walked with this to ensure that it is comfortable and suits your back
Water bottle/camel back
Water sterilisers
High factor sun screen
High Factor lip screen
Durable light weight and breathable trousers/ shorts
T-shirts – avoid cotton. You want breathable fabrics which wick away sweat and minimise odour. Icebreaker is best. (Try to avoid cotton with all trekking clothing)
Torch (Head torches are ideal)
Basic first aid kit (including antiseptic handwash)
Trekking Poles – (optional)
Sleeping mat (optional)

Vaccinations:
You should have had the following, these are mandatory. If you contract the below illnesses and your vaccines are not up to date, your insurance will be invalid. We will not be responsible for any medical costs incurred by you. It looks a lot, but it is likely that you will be covered on these from previous travels and vaccination updates.
Diphtheria
Tetanus
Polio
Tuberculosis
Hep A
Typhoid
Meningitis

In addition – there is a very slight risk of illness and these vaccines are available. Not imperative though:
Hep B, and Rabies

Additional medical supplies we recommend. This info was all in your doctors letter which was circulated:
- Acetazolomide, or ‘Diamox’- help protect against altitude sickness. Need to be given these by GP.
- Antibiotic called ‘Metronidazole’. Ideal for Giardia. Symptoms of this can be severe and debilitating. Recommend dose of 400 mg 3 times daily, for 5 days.
- General Infections – ‘Ciproflaxin’. This is broad spectrum antibiotic, covering chest, sinus, urinary and wound infections.

Other:
Immodium
Ibuprofen / preferred painkillers
Rehydration sachets (ideal to drink 2 per day, irrespective of illness etc)
Vitamin C dissolvable tablets. These will add something to taste of sterilised water, and provide additional nutrients. (Berocca or similar)
Anticeptic cream- Savlon
Zivorax
Moisturising lotion (post sunburn, wind burn etc)
Additional blister plasters

I have got all of the above apart from a sleeping mat (we will be provided thin mattress-type-devices in the teahouses that we stay), and the 2 'suggested' vaccines. This has all come out of my own pocket, apart form a Balaclava and Ski Gloves which I've borrowed off Matt Drummond. In addition to this, we have:

Cricket Shirt and Trousers
Polo Shirt
Tracky Bottoms
Ipod
Solar-Powered Charger
Nokia Handset (Free!)
Travel journal
Bed-Bug resistant sheet to put on top of mattress.
Chocolate
Beef Jerky

Intangible but essential:

Banter
Easy-Going attitude
Constant remembering of where we are and what we're achieving
Smile
Determination

In short, I can't wait