Staying Warm at Base Camp
When the sun goes down, the temperature plummets. A high-quality down jacket is your best friend in the teahouse. Here is what to look for for your Everest expedition.
Look for 800+ fill power. This measures the fluffiness and warmth-to-weight ratio. Higher is better. It packs down small but puffs up huge to trap heat during your Everest trekking nights.
You lose heat from your head. A thick, down-filled hood is essential. You will often sleep in it. It shields you from the wind on the Kala Patthar summit morning.
A good jacket costs $300+. If you won't use it again, rent one in Kathmandu for $1-$2 a day. They are heavy-duty and perfect for the static cold of Everest Base Camp.
It’s the first thing you put on in the morning and the last thing you take off. Get a good one.