Nepal Three Passes Trek Gear List
Reading Time: 4 minutes Using all I learned last year on my first journey to the Himalayas and up to Everest Base Camp, I have carefully crafted the following gear list detailing everything to go with me on my attempt at completing Nepal’s Three Passes Trek.
Much of what’s coming with me this time around is the gear that came on my trip to Everest Base Camp, but I have made some additions, subtractions, and substitutions from my previous gear list.
The one thing that has taken some deliberation this time around is whether I want to bring micro-spikes with me to assist on the potentially icy passes. Honestly, I still haven’t made up my mind, but I will be sure to update this when I return to let you know what ended up being necessary. Update: I brought microspikes.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions (I’m always looking to try new things), leave a comment and let me know!
Notes on Gear
- You do not have to bring a shelter on the Three Passes Trek. There are plenty of tea houses to stay at along the way, and even if they are full, you will (usually) be given a spot to sleep on the ground in one of the common areas. That said, if you do bring a shelter, I recommend the SlingFin Crossbow 2.
- Blankets are generally available inside tea houses, so some trekkers opt to bring lighter sleeping bags with temperature ratings of as high as 32°F/0°C. However, you will be guaranteed to be a lot more comfortable (and have to deal less with potentially dirty blankets) if you bring yourself a warm sleeping bag to begin with. I recommend the Western Mountaineering Kodiak GWS.
- As is the case with blankets, beds/mattresses are generally provided when you stay inside of a tea house. This means there is not necessarily a need to bring a sleeping pad. However, if you are a fan of sleeping pads, want more options as far as where to sleep, or don’t like to be caught unprepared, bringing one can be advised. I recommend the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT.
The Big Stuff
- Backpack: Osprey Exos Pro
- Shelter: SlingFin Crossbow 2
- Sleeping Bag: Western Mountaineering Kodiak GWS
- Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT
Worn Clothing
- Top: Ridge Merino Solstice Lightweight Pullover Hoodie
- Shorts: Brooks Sherpa 2-in-1 (5 in)
- Socks: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight
- Shoes: HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat
- Insoles: SOLE Performance Medium
- Gaiters: UltraGam Gaiters
- Sunglasses: goodr BAMFGs Polarized Sunglasses
- Hat: Montbell Mesh Logo Cap #2
Packed Clothing
- Shell: Arc’teryx Beta
- Insulated Jacket: Katabatic Tincup
- Wind Jacket: Patagonia Houdini
- Balaclava: Ridge Merino Balaclava
- Pants: Outdoor Research Cirque Lite
- Rain Pants: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
- Base Layer (Top): Ridge Merino Inversion Heavyweight
- Base Layer (Bottom): Ridge Merino Aspect Midweight
- Base Layer (Bottom): Ridge Merino Inversion Heavyweight
- Neck Gaiter: Buff CoolNet UV+
- Head Net: Sea to Summit Head Net
- Gloves: Ridge Merino Glove Liner
- Gloves: The North Face Etip Recycled Gloves
- Socks: Darn Tough Hiker Quarter Midweight
Carried/On-body
- Watch: Garmin fenix 7X Sapphire Solar
- Trekking Poles: Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ
- Fanny Pack: Thrupack Summit Bum
- Fanny Pack Strap: Thrupack Comfy Strap
Backpacking Gear
- Water Treatment: Katadyn Steripen Ultra
- Water Bottle: smartwater 1 L x 3
- Water Bottle: smartwater 700 ml
- Utensil: Snow Peak Long Titanium Spork
- Headlamp: BioLite HeadLamp 325
- Satellite Messenger: Garmin inReach Mini 2
- Sleeping Bag Liner: Cumulus Liner GL Wide
- Pillow: NEMO Equipment Fillo Elite
- Traction: Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System
- Food Bag: Cloud Gear Bear Bag
- Stuff Sack (Sleeping Bag): Hyperlite Mountain Gear Roll-top (Medium)
- Stuff Sack (Clothing): Hyperlite Mountain Gear Drawstring (Large)
- Stuff Sack (Electronics): Hyperlite Mountain Gear Drawstring (Small)
- Pack Liner: Contractor Bag
- Stakes: MSR Carbon Core Tent Stakes x 4
- Stakes: MSR Ground Hog Stakes x 4
- Stuff Sack (Stakes): Hartford Gear Co. Stake Bag
- Stuff Sack (Poop Kit): Space Bear Bags Poop-moji Pouch
Bathroom
- Trowel: Vargo Titanium Dig Dig Tool
- Lip Balm: Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30
- Anti-Chafe Balm: Body Glide for Her (0.35 oz)
- Hand Sanitizer: Dr. Bronner’s Organic
- Sunscreen: Coppertone SPORT (3 oz)
- Toothbrush: GUM Folding
- Toothpaste: Dr. Bronner’s Travel (0.85 oz)
- Antibiotic Ointment: Neosporin
- Tape: 3M Medical
- Bandages: Band-Aids
- Toilet Paper: Charmin Ultra Soft
- Wet Wipes: Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes
- Ear Plugs: Mack’s Maximum Protection Soft Foam Earplugs
Electronics
- Power Bank: Nitecore Carbo 20000
- Headphones: Pixel Buds Pro
- Phone: Google Pixel 8 Pro
- Phone Case: Peak Design Everyday Case
- Wall Plug: Anker Nano II 65W
- Cable: USB-A to USB-C
- Cable: USB-A to Micro USB
- Cable: USB-C to USB-C
Apps
Camera Gear
- Camera: Sony A7R IV
- Lens: Sony FE 24-70 f2.8 GM
- Filter: Heliopan 82mm Slim Circular Polarizer SH-PMC
- Camera Attachment: Peak Design Capture
- Camera Cover: Peak Design Shell (Medium)
- Camera Skin: Slinger Silicone
- Screen Protector: Sony PCK-LG1 Glass Sheet
- Memory Card: Sony TOUGH-G SDXC (64 GB) x 2
Odds & Ends
- Knife: Benchmade 533 Mini Bugout
- Gear Repair: Therm-a-Rest Patch Kit
- Gear Repair: Gorilla Tape
- Lighter: Mini Bic
- Extra Cap: Water Bottle Sport Cap
- Pen: Pilot G2
- Bags: Ziploc Quart Food Storage
- Bags: Reusable Grocery Bag (plastic)
- Sunglasses Case: goodr Soft Case
- Wallet: Peak Design Mobile Stand Wallet
Fanny Pack Gear
- Head Net: Sea to Summit Head Net
- Utensil: Snow Peak Long Titanium Spork
- Knife: Benchmade 533 Mini Bugout
- Lighter: Mini Bic
- Anti-Chafe Balm: Body Glide for Her
- Lip Balm: Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30
- Sunscreen: Coppertone SPORT
- Hand Sanitizer: Dr. Bronner’s Organic
- Gear Repair: Gorilla Tape
- Headphones: Google Pixel Buds Pro
- Phone: Google Pixel 8 Pro
- Phone Case: Peak Design Everyday Case
- Pen: Pilot G2
Am I doing anything wrong? Did I miss anything? Do you have any suggestions?
Comment below and let me know what you think!
Disclosure: Your trust is important to me and that’s why I only recommend products I love and personally use. This page contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I may receive small commissions for purchases made via these links. This helps keep the site up and running.
Hi, thanks for your valuble insight!!! I start the three passes trek end of march 2025, from salleri back to Jiri. As I go Solo I want to go as light as possible. I am confused about the pants as people recommend rain pants, light zipp-off hiking pants, more robust hiking pants, as well as 2 long thermo underwear and shorts. On the other hand other people say one light trekking pants is enough. So I have a light sport shorts, one zipp-off hiking pants, 2x merino long underwear, 1x waterproof rain pants, 1x a thin soft-shell touring pants (which is a bit wind proof (not completely) and water repellent, but not waterproof). What do you recommend on taking with me as temperatures during the day might rise and I will visit other places later in nepal where it appears to be very warm? or should I just take another light hiking pants.
Personally, that’s all I would bring. I wouldn’t worry about elsewhere in Nepal so long as you’ve got at least one good pair of shorts.
If you want to bring something extra, you can always leave it at a hotel in the city while you’re in the mountains.
How did you make sure that your bottles didn’t freeze? Sorry don’t know if that’s a stupid question. I plan on going February 2025 and am a little worried about it.
Indoors at night I never had an issue and then in the morning/during the day it was never cold enough for my bottles to freeze while sloshing around in my pack.
how did you not wash clothes for the whole 2 weeks? did you not stink? going in October this year so curious about how much clothing to bring etc. thanks
I did not wash my clothes. Merino clothing does an excellent job of not stinking too badly too soon, and the weight of extra clothing is typically easy to drop from a heavy pack when packing.
Merino wool is a wonderful material.
Do you think a 10F rated quilt would be sufficiently warm for this trek? I’m going in November.
I think if you’re sleeping in tea houses and not camping, 10F is fine.
Sorry didn’t see I could post here so reposting … How much would you say your pack / total haul weighed? Thanks
I’ve updated this with more current gear. My pack weighed probably around 20 lb / 9 kg without food/water.
How were the trail shoes on the passes and in the cold? Do you think boots would have been helpful for the 3 passes treck?
I was completely fine with my trail runners. Others may prefer boots. It’s really a personal preference.
Did you end up with using a tent? Was it okay to use a tent in villages?
Zero need for a tent. I set up mine once outside a tea house but it was dumb. Should not have brought a tent. Will be updating this list soon.
Why was it dumb? You just slept outside in your sleeping bag without shelter? Or you slept somewhere else?
I also just slept outside without a shelter, but there was plenty of space inside the tea houses – quite a contrived campsite.
Hi Mac,
Did you end up taking the microspikes ?
Thanks
I did not take them, but I got some off a hiker just before Cho La – they definitely came in handy. Detailed trip report coming soon!
Thanks.
Waiting for the trip report :)
How much did your pack/ tote weigh in total would you say ?
Is it too cold for the Ghost Whisperer?
Too cold for just the GW, but I took one of these http://amzn.to/1URWtko with me.
..you wore both columbia jackets at the same time?
It was more of a “one or the other” type situation.
how often did you wash clothes up there?
Never.
Hi, i’m wondering for packing my stuff, if you did not wash clothes, how often did you change them ? Which means, how many “Base layer” did you pack ?
Thanks !
Wore the same clothes the entire time.
The Nepal Three Passes and EBC trek have completely diffrent weather conditions? I think that’s where I’m confused.
No, they’re in the same area (and some of the treks follow the same route). On the EBC trek I brought the GW and an additional (thicker) down jacket as well.
Would you consider the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Appel to be warm enough?
That would work fine, but I would also have a baselayer, depending on the time of year (potentially multiple or a heavier-weight baselayer).