Info on what kit to take

I have spent countless day's and weeks reading up on what to take and what not to take on my Everest trip. As I will probably only ever do it the once (maybe more if I can twist the wifes arm, K2 from the Chinese side of the border) I want to make sure I have all the correct kit, BUT without going OTT on the price.
Read any blog or forum or magazine and you are immediately bombarded with countless opinions on what to take and what not to take, what to purchase and what not to purchase.

There is also the option of renting some of the more expensive bits of clothing ie down jackets, waterproofs etc, I decided against this as I have been wanting a good down jacket for a while now.
I narrowed it down to, 2 jackets to purchase.

The Mountain Equiptment Xero. Below        Or the         Rab Neutrino Endurance

I decided to get the Rab Neutrino as it has more water repellant properties than the xero even though neither are totally waterproof, but both will certainly keep you warm. The majority of the outdoor suppliers all recommended the Nuetrino above the Xero.

I also bought the Montane Resolute Smock:

 





The sheer fact that some of the worlds special forces along with numerous SARs Search and Rescue Teams swear by this bit of kit speaks volumes about how good it is. It is waterproof and windproof and has a built in fleece inner. As soon as you put this on you know you have one hell of a bit of kit on that is going to keep you warm and dry in the harshest of extremes.
Boot wise, this is purely a personnel decision and I have had several pairs of boots and at the moment I am taking my:


Scarpa Asolo Flame GTX Mountain Boots 

They have never leaked or let me down despite some punishing use ie climbing in them and also walking through water and peak bogs.

Medicines

You need to speak to your doctor of course, however along with having just about every injection and oral vaccine available including 3 rabies injections which if you are unlucky enough to get bitten by a rabid animal, slow's the effects of rabies down long enough allowing you to get to a hospital and have the anti rabies injection. As you are going to be in such a remote location it may not be possible to get to hospital quick enough under normal circumstances.

Another thing to check out and speak to your doctor about is the only proven drug which helps against Acute Altitude Sickness.

• Diamox = Acetazolamide.

I have it and will be using it, its upto you to make your minds up, again you will find plenty who swear by it and plenty who say they still suffered. Asprin is also proven to help against Altitude Sickness. Diamox however is actually one of the drugs medical staff will treat you with if you actually suffer with AAS. One arguament against taking it with you is if you take it and still suffer with AAS then medical staff have one less drug to treat you with as you are already using it.

• Dukoral

Is another drug to check out with your doctor as it is also claimed to prevent the onset of the infamous Delhi Belly which is contacted by bacteria which it is claimed Dukoral helps protect you against. Again I have also taken this. However you must also use anti bacterial hand wash gels and wet wipes and take great care when eating anything out in Nepal.

Also ensuring that you take and use Water Purification Tablets in any drinking water and water used to clean your teeth. The usual no ice cubes and only fruit that can be peeled and only food that is red hot and if its from a street vendor make sure its an extremely busy street vendor as this is usually a good sign that the food is cooked properly and not left to stand.

One other tip I was given to try and prevent the infamous Delhi Belly was Tablet form Pepto-Bipsol, numerous people swear by taking one tablet before your meal helping to line the stomach and fight any unwelcome bacteria, and one after your meal.