Monday, 7 October 2013 22:12EST (Melbourne)
I am perched upon my couch from the base of which there extends the wonderfully chaotic sense of order that consists of the gear to accompany on my last overseas foray as a twenty-something. Three pairs of footwear line up together in a neat row. Piles of t-shirts and thermal baselayers block out broad swatches of my rug. Medication, ranging from prescription to over the counter, are arranged according to the proportions of their packaging. Something for too much bowel movement and another for not enough. Tablets for fluid retention, for allergies, for infection, for respiratory conditions, for vomiting, malaria, stomach pain, regular pain. The sunscreen, insect repellent and body glide sit askew. As do the windstopper gloves. The camera tripod that I am dithering about stands erect. Opposite me, the scales are mute having already weighed the items that are to follow me into the Himalayan mountains. A long, considered list that will be included shortly.
Tomorrow I am to fly from Melbourne, Australia to Kathmandu, Nepal via Singapore in what will be my first solo overseas trip since I was fifteen. Half a lifetime ago almost. I am going there to turn thirty. Although, I confess I have not deliberated to any great extent on turning thirty this year, except to hope with a naive heart that the Cho La Pass will not be too unkind to me, for it is there that I am scheduled to attain that fearsome age.
So that is how I come to be seated in my living room, surrounded by thousands of dollars of gear on a Monday evening, trying to figure ways of reducing weight so as to justify a Manfrotto camera tripod and the book, The Wind Up Bird Chronicles by Haruki Murakama weighing at 1kg and 0.5kg respectively. I am especially tired as similar considerations had kept me awake until 5:30am this morning before my mind eventually willed itself to sleep.
Presently my gear list looks something to the effect (not including gear to be worn on the plane to Lukla):
Daypack: (5,461g + Pack)
115g Sunscreen
90g Insect Repellent
45g Body Glide (Anti-chafe)
22g Eyedrops
56g Hand Sanitiser
10g Blistex
35g Strepsils (1 foil)
15g Gastrostop
8g Nurofen (1 foil)
14g Buscopan
25g Leukoplast Elastic
10g Micropore
61g Bandaids
35g Crepe Bandage 4 inches
29g Sunglasses
181g Eyeglasses and case
42g Leatherman Multitool
16g Shoelaces (spare)
267g Writing Journal
88g Socks (spare pair)
24g Icebreaker Merino Glove Liners
68g Outdoor Research Windstopper Gloves
51g Buff Neck Warmer
57g Montane Beanie
52g Columbia Hat
116g Montane Windshirt
500g RAB Baltoro Alpine Softshell Jacket
340g Marmont PreCip Full Zip Hardshell Pants
316g Montane Athena eVent Hardshell Jacket
286g Patagonia R1 Hoody Midlayer
336g Sea to Summit Quagmire eVent Gaiters
391g Black Diamond Z Poles
360g Nalgene 1 Litre Bottles (x2)
33g Compact Mirror
36g Bungy Washing Line
93g Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
1238g Nikon 5100 DSLR Camera and Case (includes spare battery)
Kitbag: (6,574 + kitbag, sleeping bag and liner, and down jacket)
166g Swisspers
20g Toothbrush and Cover
50g Toothpaste
34g Mascara (don’t judge)
44g Shampoo
75g Moisturiser
10g Lip Eze
110g Bodywash
48g Wilderness Wash
74g Brush
75g Deodorant
144g Foot Antiperspirant
156g Contact Lenses
39g Sanitary Napkins
186g Dry Shampoo
9g Ear Buds and Hair Ties
8g Nail File
43g Cuticle Clippers
78g Strepsils (2 foils)
15g Gastrostop (Stoppers)
12g Lariam (Anti-Malarial Drug for Chitwan Park)
77g Diamox (Anti Fluid Retention)
24g Cefalexin (Antibiotics)
15g Stemzine (Anti-Nausea)
17g Coloxyl (Un-stoppers)
59g Cold and Flu Tablets
16g Zyrtec (Antihistamine)
31g Nurofen (3 foils)
14g Buscopan
72g Gastrolyte
50g Leukoplast Elastic (2 rolls)
115g Underwear (3 pairs)
231g Bras (1 Sports, 1 Crop Top)
176g Smartwool Mid Weight Hiking Socks (3 pairs)
48g Wigwam Coolmax Sock Liner (1 pair)
65g Patagonia Belt
228g ExOfficio Jandiggity Pants
274g ExOfficio Convertible Pants
453g Smartwool Midweight Thermal Set
366g Patagonia Capilene 3 Set
99g Nike T-Shirt
134g Berghaus T-Shirt
136g Columbia Short Sleeve Shirt
368g Montane Fury Hoody
759g Salomon Walking Shoes
458g Keen Clearwater CNX Sandals
90g Orange Superfeet
141g 90L Pack Liner
69g Sea to Summit Towel
52g Power Adapter
123g Nikon Battery Charger
649g Nikon Lens 55-300
Postscript: This gear list was subsequently trimmed before I left Australia and yet again in Nepal. Indeed, as weight seemed to be such a serious consideration, I went so far as trimming tags off clothing and the extra foil off medication to try to shave off the grams. In truth I could have made it with 1 less pair of socks, jocks and t-shirt, and half the Diamox, moisturizer, shampoo and stick deodorant. I could have left the anti-chafe at home as stick deodorant worked just as effectively. I left the fleece jacket in my suitcase at the hotel and was without regret. There are lists that were compiled toward the end of the trek as to what I wish I had brought with me and items purchased en route that I considered valuable additions, such as mini chocolate snacks for energy boosts.
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