Climbing Mountain means getting prepared to brace all kinds of challenges physically, logistically, and psychologically. Logissfdktic Management especially arranging quality Mountain Climbing gear is key to saving lives in the mountains.
Quality Mountain Climbing Gear does not only ease expeditions but also ensures success. Alpine journals and historical mountaineering literature say that the failure of pre-World War era expeditions was linked with the poor climbing gears. Before 1945, the Second World War climbers had no quality gear required to deter the extreme cold. This was the reason many climbers died in the Everest region.
Realizing the need for the right gears to make climbing successful, the then Himalayan committee formed comprising of British alpinists had tested climbing gears in the UK. Their experiment helped to make 1953’s historic Everest Expedition successful. These tested equipment were ferried to Kathmandu via plane, ship, train, and ropeway. As many as 350 porters eventually transported these items to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu.
Not having quality Mountain Climbing Gear means one may face difficulties or may even lose their life in worse conditions. The death of Muhammad Hassan, a Pakistani high-altitude worker is a textbook example of understanding the importance of quality gear in the Mountain. Hassan according to Sherpa Guides, died while crossing the infamous bottleneck of Mount K2, the world’s second-highest Mountain. His climbing gear was not good enough to save him in such harsh conditions.
Unable to endure the extremely cold weather of the infamous killer mountain, Hassan was struggling to survive when rescuers tried to save him eyewitnesses say. He breathed his last at 8200 meters. His death highlights the importance of quality gear in the death zone where the temperature can drop to minus 60 degrees Celsius.
Over the decades the expedition industry has expanded drastically. Several globally recognized outdoor gear companies are competing to expand their products in markets. Kailas, Rob, Marmot, North Face, Mountain Hardware, Black Diamond, Black Yak, Colombia, Himali, and Exped are some leading international climbing gear manufacturing companies. Every year those companies strive to produce better products.
Himali introduced the down suit in 2021 which has been worn to 13 out of 14 peaks above 8000 meters. Only Cho Oyu remains to complete summitting all 14 peaks above 8000 meters, and that is what our long stands for said Mingma G. Sherpa, a climber promoting Himali. This year Himali was worn during the expeditions of all the five Pakistani Peaks.
Internationally branded gears are certified either by climbing experts or UIAA. So far, Nepali products have not been certified. Everest Outfit is seeking authentication from CE said Lakpa Sherpa of 8K Expeditions who has climbed Everest nine times and K2 three times.
Nevertheless, climbers had options to choose from several gear companies in early 2000, we used to wear old gear as it was difficult to find and afford new gear sets. These days mountain gears are easily available if you have money said Sanu Sherpa. A famed climber adding, you have options in price as well. If you want to buy a complete set of branded gear it costs about $10000
Impressed by the profitable business of branded mountain gears, recently established Nepali gear companies are also producing their gear products. This has ensured greater success in gears to the Sherpa Guides. Down suits and down jackets produced locally are cheaper as compared to international brands. One can decide whether to buy average climbing gear or choose an expensive one.
Foreigners climbers and elite Sherpas often wear branded gears. Some famed sherpas are appointed as brand ambassadors of reputed gear companies. So they got free branded gear as part of promotions and sponsorship too. Mountain Guides especially those beginning their career however use locally manufactured gears. An expedition company provides only NRS 13000 per expedition for beginner guides. So guides have to compromise gear quality in their early climbing days.
After years of research and development, new Nepali companies Kaemp 8848, 8K2 Gear, Raeko, Lukla Outfit, Kalapathar, Makalu Outfit, Mountain Blackstone, and Everest Outfit among others have started gear production businesses. Their products have been tested in high-altitude areas and used by famed climbers, including Kami Rita Sherpa. Outlets of Nepali gear companies have opened in Kathmandu, Lukla, Namche, and Pokhara.
Mountain Climbing Gears are used to keep each part of the body safe from extreme cold. Protecting a mountaineer from head to toe is essential for climbing. Otherwise, frostbite can impact climbers which may eventually claim their lives.
List of the Major Mountaineering Gears essential to climb the Mountain.
DOWN SUIT.
Experienced climbers like Sanu Sherpa wear down suits only after reaching above 7000 meters. Others, however, may wear it whenever they feel they are freezing in the mountains. This suit generates heat while climbing and keeps the body safe from cold. Price varies according to brands. A north face down suit costs NRS 130000 but locally manufactured suits can be bought at half the rate at NRS 50000 to 60000. The Down Suit is one of the essential mountain climbing gear, need for a climber to successfully climb a mountain.
DOWN JACKET
Genreally down jacket is used while staying at camp | and Camp || in the Everest region. Those who feel cold can use this jacket at the base camp as well. A branded piece of down jacket can cost NRS 50000. But it doesn’t work in high camps. A piece of locally produced down jacket costs about NRS 18000 rupees.
DOWN PAINTS
Down paints are used during the stay at base camp and peak climbing (6000 meters). If the pants are manufactured by Nepali outfitters, it cost around 10000 rupees. A branded down pant however can cost NRS 130000.
SUMMIT GLOVE
High-quality gloves are required to protect hands from the snow. So far Nepali companies have not been successful in producing summit gloves. A pair of branded gloves cost NRS 30000. Ordinary gloves can be purchased at a rate of NRS 5000. But locally produced gloves are popular for trekking.
GORE-TEX JACKET AND PANTS
Gore-Tex is a waterproof and wind-stopper outer. A set of branded Gore-Tex costs NRS 50000. A Nepali set costs NRS 30000.
FLEECE JACKET
It’s a kind of inner jacket that climbers wear under a down jacket. It is used as an outer in the lower camp. These jackets are warm enough to wear at the base camp on a sunny day. A piece of branded fleece jacket costs NRS 20000 whereas Nepali fleece jackets cost NRS 13000.
THERMAL SET
Climbers used thermal sets to keep the body warm in the mountains. A set of branded thermal costs up to NRS 25000.
T-SHIRT
Apart from heavy down jackets, T-Shirts are also essential in the mountains. It is used to keep the body warm and dry. T-shirts and trekking trousers can be used while staying at base camp. A piece of branded T-shirt can cost NRS 5000.
HELMET
A branded helmets cost around NRS 12000. International brand companies named Petzal, Black Diamond, and Kailash produce such helmets. Every possible test is done on the helmets before they reach the market. Helmets are certified by experts and are used in climbing. This is one of the life saving mountain climbing gear for climbers.
HEADLAMP
To avoid avalanche risks, climbers must walk at night. Fixed on the forehead, headlights help climbers to see in the dark. A headlamp costs up to NRS 12000. Black Diamond and Petzel are popular headlamp manufacturers.
SUNGLASS
Climbers need to use sunglasses as per the altitude where they are stationed. That helps to save their eyesight from the bright reflections of the snow. Summit sunglasses are different from ordinary sunglasses and their price varies from NRS 15000 to NRS 40000. Julbo, Oakley, and Adidas are the leading sunglass companies.
Besides these gear, woolen caps, sun hot, buff, scarves, and balaclavas are used to protect the head from cold and disasters.
CRAMPON
Crampons are used to walk on ice. The price of a crampon ranges from NRS 18000 to NRS 20000. Gears companies rent out used companies’ crampons if someone is unable to afford them. Black Diamond and Petzel produce crampons.
ICE AXE
Black Diamond, Petzel, and Kailash produce ICE AXES. The price of a set of ICE AXE ranges from NRS 40000 to NRS 100000.
HARNESS
A harness is a device that allows a climber access to the safety of a rope mainly while ascending and descending. It is used in rock climbing, peak climbing, trek climbing, and rescue purposes. Black Dimond, Kailash, and Petzel produce quality harnesses. A piece of harness costs about NRS 12000.
ASCENDER/DESCENDER
Each ascender and descender cost NRS 12000. Petzel Black Diamond and Kailash are the leading manufacturers.
CARABINEER LOCK AND UNLOCK
It is a locking device that costs a minimum of NRS 3000.
INFLATABLE MATTRESS
Mattress should be light as per international standards. These special mattresses generate heat even in snowy regions. A mattress costs NRS 18000. Only foreign companies namely Exped and Kailash produce mattresses and no Nepali brands have produced one so far.
V25 TENT
The V25 tent is used to sleep at night. Kailash, Northface, Mountain Hardwear, and Marmot are international tent producers. Sagarmatha Tent and Himalayan Tent are local brands. A branded tent cost NRS 50000 whereas Nepal productions costs NRS 30000.
ROPE
Dynamic and static ropes are used for climbing, rescue, cross river, and rock climbing. Generally, static rope is used in fixed lines like Everest and K2, whereas flexible ropes are used for indoor wall climbing and rock climbing. A rope of 8.5mm diameter costs approximately NRS 1500 per meter.
CLIMBING BOOTS
Climbing boots are used while climbing mountains above 8000 meters to avoid frostbite. These are light and comfortable. Lasportive, Millet, Scarpa, and Kailish are the leading climbing boot manufacturers. A pair of boots cost NRS 100000.
SLEEPING BAG
At least two sleeping bags are used to sleep inside a tent. It costs more than NRS 100000 to buy a North Face Sleeping Bag. Gush Fur is used in these bags to make them waterproof and breathable. Sleeping bags can save climbers even if the temperature drops to -40 degrees Celsius.
SUMMIT SOCKS
A pair of summit socks costs NRS 8000. It’s made of high-quality fabric and keeps the feet dry even in extreme cold weather. Kailash produces a summit sock. So no Nepali companies have produced them.
This article is copied from Buddha Air Magazine Yatra Issue #47 October 2023 written by Bhadra Sharma. On purpose to give the needed information to travelers who want to climb mountains.
