Equipment & Planning Info
Lumbha Sumba Pass base camp. The route the following day was straight up the re-entrant in the background.
I went through a number of iterations on what kit I should take and what I should leave behind. The key that shall always remain true on any expedition is to keep things light. Even if it feels light at the time, 1000km in and when you are going over your 15th 5000m+ pass things start to feel pretty heavy. If trekking with more than one person you can naturally share kit which will make life more comfortable.
Although I have published my kit list below the main thing is to ensure that you take the correct kit for the route you decided to do and for the time of year you are going. To check my route click Doc McKerr – GHT Itinerary Apr-Jun 2013.
Always consider safety, asking the ‘what if…….’ questions throughout. Also ensure that whatever you take you can repair along the way. I had to repair my boots and my rucksack in remote locations so anything could happen at any time; usually at the most inconvenient time too.
You can get supplies along the way, but these will just be the basics, so ensure that you have sufficient spares for anything technical you will be carrying.
For Kit List & some Planning Info click Doc McKerr – GHT Packing List & Useful Planning Info
The yak herder who kindly let me shelter in his tent for the night after I was caught out by the large storm as I descended the Lumbha Sumba Pass (5130m).
- A small bamboo hut in the middle of the jungle at the edge of the Arun River. After getting caught out by another storm the farmer was very kind and let me stay here overnight.
East 2 West Nepal 2013 
Hey Doc! I am planning to start the GHT in September but I’m having a hard time finding a proper insurance. Would you happen to have any advice on this :)?
Hi. I used Austrian Alpine Club who were very good. You will need to pay an additional premium due to the length of the trip but they should be able to insure you. Fairly easy I think. The more tricky things are permits and extending your visa to 150 days in country! Good luck 😊
Great, thanks for the tip!!
Did you use multiple pairs of shoes? Did you establish resupply spots along the route to pick up things like new shoes?
Sorry for the delay.
I only used the one pair of boots throughout, which were a Lowa lightweight B3 vortex boot. By the end of the trek they had a number of holes in them though. In hindsight they were not the right book for the job. I should have bought something like a single leather outer, semi rigid sole, vortex boot. The less stitches you can have on the otter the better. The boots take a lot of wear and tear going over scree slopes and holders. I did carry a very lightweight pair of trainers (New Balance Minimus) for wearing at night and for any river crossings. There were also going to be my emergency footwear if my boots broke completely.
If I did need to replace my boots there was no chance of getting a pair in the hills (I have size 12UK feet), so I left a spare pair with my friend in Kathmandu just in case.
With regards to resupply, I didn’t have any. I got everything as I went through villages.
Hope this helps.