Packing list

Packing List Panic (and a Whole Lot of Shopping)

Trading Sephora hauls for hiking boots!

The official Everest Base Camp packing list finally arrived, and let’s just say my usual shopping expertise (dresses, makeup, etc) did NOT prepare me for terms like "800-fill down" and "hydration packs." 😅Suddenly, it hit me just how much shopping still needed to be done.

Between juggling a busy workload at the office, which I absolutely love, and working my way through the ever-growing packing list, preparation for Everest Base Camp has officially become a project in its own right. Every time I tick one item off the list, I seem to discover three more that I somehow hadn't considered before!

Now, I absolutely love shopping. The problem is that my shopping expertise is usually more aligned with Sephora, dresses, heels, and other equally important life essentials. Trekking gear? Not exactly my area of expertise.

My knowledge was limited to cute sneakers, not necessarily the kind designed to survive rough and rugged Himalayan terrain. Boots! WowI I have never been much of a boots person, so walking into a store and seeing the endless options was a bit overwhelming. The real shock, however, came when I looked at the price tags. My eyes nearly popped out. Suddenly those Sephora purchases were looking surprisingly reasonable.

My sister Rida and I can talk for hours, and one of our recent conversations perfectly summed up where we both are in life. While she was debating whether to buy a dress she loved, her biggest dilemma being "But where am I going to wear it enough times to justify it?", I was sitting there with a completely different concern. Mine was, "If I buy these trekking boots, I am going to wear them absolutely everywhere for the next few months." And when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere. Grocery runs, coffee shops, school pick-ups, probably even work if I can get away with it.

We both spent a good amount of time convincing ourselves not to buy the things we wanted. We discussed practicality, necessity, budgets, and all the sensible adult arguments.

Naturally, we both ended up buying the exact things we had promised ourselves we wouldn't. In a world of hahas, we are a hehe LOL.

Sisters are honestly the funniest. Different shopping dilemmas, same lack of self-control. 😂❤️

My sister Rida and her husband, Zeeshan, have been my first 2am friends in Australia. Well, more family than friends, but definitely my favourite tea people. In many ways, they have been a little piece of home away from home, a reminder that family isn't just where you come from, it's also the people who make a place feel like home. ❤️☕🏡✨

Backpacks? I had plenty. Lovely floral ones that happily accompany me on holidays. But hydration packs, adjustable hip belts, and all sorts of technical features? I had absolutely no idea.

Rain jackets were another reality check. I own some very cute ones I bought in South Korea, all in soft pastel colours, and I adore them. They are perfect for looking stylish while being out and about but Everest, however, appears to have slightly different requirements. While they could probably survive a tiny bit of rain, they would be utterly useless if the mountain decided to throw a proper shower my way. Apparently, the rain jacket needs to be the real deal 🚿🤪

Then there is the Down jacket. I learned that it needs to be around 800 fill power (even jackets have a power rating wow) Which means my trendy brown winter jacket, despite being fabulous, well lets just say if I take that, I will be a joke and I will freeze! hahaha

The sleeping bag has also raised a lot of questions. Do I buy one or rent one in Nepal? On one hand, I want to be warm and cosy. On the other hand, I am not exactly a camping person. Neither is my daughter. The chances of us ever needing a high-altitude sleeping bag again seem fairly slim.

To be honest, I am not even much of an Airbnb person. My definition of luxury on holiday is arriving somewhere and finding the bed already made. Simple pleasures. I am sure plenty of mums can relate.

In fact, I remember my first training trip after moving to Australia. It was at my old company and I flew to Melbourne for the very first time. I had one free evening and grand plans to go exploring. No responsibilities. No schedule. No daughter asking, "Mom, mom, mom..." every thirty seconds.

I got back to the hotel room, walked into a warm, quiet space, looked at the perfectly made bed and thought... absolutely not.

I ordered room service, turned on the TV, and stayed right there for the evening. One of my favourite Melbourne memories. HAHA. I think much of what I learned about Australia came through the kindness and support of my colleagues at ADP. When I first arrived as an immigrant eleven years before, I was completely clueless, and they helped me navigate so much. The bond I shared with my manager, Cheryl, was especially meaningful, both personal and genuine, and it's something I still cherish to this day. 😊

Another thing I had not accounted for was a camera. It suddenly occurred to me that if my phone dies, gets damaged, or somehow disappears halfway up a mountain, would I come home with no photos?

Honestly, the thought alone feels like something out of a horror movie.

And then there are gloves.

I originally thought gloves were gloves. Surely you just buy a pair and move on.

Thankfully, my dear friend Sam, who has been to some incredibly cool places, quickly corrected me. According to her, good gloves might be one of the most important things on the list. She pointed out that they need to keep your hands warm while still allowing you to use your phone and camera.

A very, very good point.

She was even kind enough to offer me hers to use. I genuinely have the best of friends.

Since there is quite a lot to buy, I have created my own spreadsheet and divided everything into two categories:

1. Big-budget items

2. Small items

The goal is to have all the major purchases and essentials sorted by Christmas. Then I can focus on the smaller things. After that, from January onwards, the focus shifts to vaccinations, permits, and all the other exciting administrative adventures that come with trekking to Everest Base Camp.

My dear friend Fatima came over to inspect all of my trekking purchases. The funny thing is that most of our shopping trips together have traditionally involved Sephora and beauty products rather than hiking boots, thermal layers, and trekking gear. We have even been known to enthusiastically test products in-store and get far more excited than we probably should! 😆

That said, if there is anyone whose shopping expertise I trust, it is hers, and I was eager to get her verdict on everything I have bought so far. In exchange for her expert shopping advice, I shared some of my newly acquired workout and nutrition knowledge. Although, to be completely honest, I have only recently discovered half of it myself, so I am not entirely convinced I qualify as an expert just yet! 😆

The Everest journey hasn't even started yet, and already I am reminded how much these adventures are never really done alone. ❤️

This is the packing list sent by the tour company:

What should be on my packing list?

Available for Rent:
• Sleeping bag
• Trekking poles

Cold Weather:
• Long-sleeved shirts or sweater
• Scarf
• Warm gloves
• Warm hat
• Warm layers
• Warm waterproof jacket


Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

High Altitude Trekking:
• Down jacket
• Hiking boots
• Pack liners to waterproof bags
• Reusable water bottler - minimum 1 litre (Aluminium or Nalgene polypropylene are best)
• Sandals (For wearing around camp in the evenings)
• Sleeping bag and liner, 4 season
• Spare boot laces
• Thermal base layer
• Waterproof gloves
• Whistle
• Windproof rain gear
• Wool socks

Note: The best clothing for trekking is either wool or synthetic materials in layers, as this is quick-drying and can keep heat in better. We suggest a base-layer, then a mid-layer such as a light fleece jacket or similar, then a windproof and waterproof layer.

The Countdown Is On!

So, there you have it: The official packing list that is currently running my life, determining my budget, and encouraging me to swap favourite lip glosses for blister bandages. 😵‍💫

Over the next few weeks, I'll be breaking in my wallet-draining hiking boots on neighbourhood walks and grocery runs, mastering the art of adjusting backpack straps, and convincing myself that owning a high-altitude sleeping bag is a perfectly normal life choice. 🤪

It's daunting, it's expensive, and it's completely outside my comfort zone, but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. The countdown to Everest Base Camp is officially on! 🏔️

Packing list panic → shopping chaos → expert review → gear obsession → adventure ahead. 🤪🏔️✨
Fair warning: this is likely the first of many trekking gear posts. I'll be sharing my thoughts on each item individually as and when I buy it, along with the research, deliberation, and occasional shopping-induced panic that goes into each purchase. 😆