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Equipment and clothing in Tibet
2004-10-27
For the ordinary tourist:

If you take the package tour to the place like Lhasa, Gyantse, Xigaze,etc with the altitude of 3000m, you don't need to provide the special equipment only the daily commodity required. Please find out the below list as the daily commodity which is required to be prepared for your Tibet tour:

Sun cream with the protection index of 60,sunglasses or dark glasses with a sun protection factor of 15 , the lip creams and balms with SPF rating, towel, a pinchuse toothpaste as a substitute, electric torch, rope, Swiss-style pocket knife map.

When planning your clothing needs for your tour to Tibet, remember, your destination sightseeing is at elevation of 3500m and your cloth must be warm enough and can be removed easy enough.

Jacket: a fiber-pile jacket is ideal for evening.

Sweater: Wool or wool mix with a high neck for extra warmth.

Headwear: wool or fiber-pile ski-style cap or balaclava for warmth. A lightweight brimmed hat is good for sun protection .Inexpensive broad brimmed straw and felt hats are sold in Tibet's city markets.

Scarf: wool or silk is best.

Mittens or gloves: wool, pile, or polythene are best.

Bandanna or handkerchief: Bring several.

Cotton underwear: four or five pairs.

Socks: at least three.

Shirts: A long-sleeve shirt made of wool, flannel, or chamois, or a track-suit top. A long-sleeve stay-pree cotton shirt for warmer temperatures. Bring two or three T-shirts as well.

Pants: For men, one pair of loose-fitting wool pants, wool knickers, or fiber-pile pants, and one pair of light-weight cotton pants. Women should wear a mid calf dress or skirt, though pants and knee-lent knickers with socks are also acceptable. Shorts are not appropriate at any time in Tibet for men or women.

Journal, reading book, writing materials: For quiet moments.

Camera: You will regret not bring one.

Binoculars: Good for observing birds, wildlife, and distant scenery.

Money pouch or belt: Safer than a wallet for keeping your passport, money, and valuable papers.

Pictures from home: Personal photographs of your children, pet, city, house, and so on are a great way to communicate with local people.

Snack foods: Nuts, chocolate bars, granola bars, dried fruit, hard candies, beef jerky, and flavored drink mixes are much appreciated trail treats.

The hints for women trekking in Tibet:

It is not a tale that Tibet is the most secure places for women trekking in, if you are in a suitable manner! Tibetan care about the women's wear very much, so do not dress in shots, are the best choice, Because in Tibet, there are rare public toilet except in Lhasa or Xigaze the big cities. So it will be useful when you need do the personal things without shroud.


For trekking in Tibet:

As to the equipment for trekking, your tour operator will do the big work for you, like the tent, cooking equipment, food, car, truck and pack animals etc. Even these facilities will be arranged by the company, you still need at least 2-3 months to prepare for your personal packing. When planning your clothing needs for a trek, think in terms of layers. Layers of clothing will keep you warm, but can be removed to gradually prevent overheating. During spring and autumn the night temperature in the mountains often dip below freezing, making warm gear essential. In the summer the days can be hot, requiring light cotton clothing. Adequate wet-weather gear is also a priority during the summer. Remember that the mountainous regions of Tibet can receive snow any month of the year, and always be prepared for cold weather if you will be trekking at elevations much above4880m.Make sure that the clothing you will wear most often can be washed in cold stream water and dries quickly.

Accessories and extras for trekking:

Many of the following items are optional. Don't try to bring everything ,you would need a herd of yak to carry it.If you are on commercial trek, the weight limit for personal duffel bags is usually 15kg.

Pocket knife: Swiss -army style is best.

Sewing kit: One small kit. A leather sewing awl is ideal for big repairs.

Duct tape: One small roll for repairs.

Compass: For use with trail description and orientation with maps.

Altimeters: Measures altitude as a function of the barometric pressure.

Gaiters: Good for winter treks or wet trails conditions during monsoon.

Insulated booties: Down or fiber-filled, for the colder months.

Umbrella: The lightweight collapsible kind for rain and hot sunshine.

Waterproof ground sheet or poncho: Handy for laying out gear on wet ground.

Cooking pots: Necessary only if you are trekking as an individual.

Utensils: Supplied on commercial treks. Have your own pair of chopsticks if you plan to eat in local restaurants.

Drinking cup: For the ubiquity of butter tea that will be served if you visit a monastery or Tibetan home. Carry it in your day pack.

Nylon cord: 15-20 feet for clothesline.

Toilet paper: Stock up before the trek starts. Always burn it after using.

Butane cigarette lighter: Superior to matches when burning used toilet paper in windy conditions.

Toiletries: Use a stuff sack to hold your toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, soap dish, dental floss, skin moisturizer, and perhaps a mirror.

Towel: Two small, thin towels are preferable to one thick towel.

Flashlight: A headlamp is ideal for camping AA and D batteries are the most common in Tibet and China, but of poor quality. Bring extra alkaline from hoe.

Plastic bags: A few of each size, from sandwich style to strong trash bags.

Sunglasses: Necessary for Tibet's bright, high altitude sunlight. Darker glacier-type glasses with side hoods are necessary in the mountains and after fresh snowfalls.

Sun creams and lip balm: Sun block with a 15SPF rating or higher is recommended.Lip balms prevent burning and chapping.

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