Traveler Checklist
The day time temperature looks pretty fine with warm sun shine but the temperatures at night can drop to freezing point or below. The sunlight has strong ultra-violet rays and it’s very windy particularly in the high passes. The air is very dry. July and August receives much of the rain of the year. So, if you are traveling during these months, you will have to carry rain gears as well. It is best to be prepared for COLD weather, even though much of the time it will be quite comfortable. Because the sun is quite intense at high altitude, a hat, UV protection sunglasses, and sun block (at least SPF 15) are essential.
Clothing:
• 2 pairs of neat, loose pants
• 1 pair sweat pants or fleece pants (optional)
• 1 long, full skirt for women (optional)
• 2 long sleeve shirts
• 2-3 T-shirts
• 1 wool sweater or fleece
• 1 week’s supply of socks (“Smartwool” or “Thorlos” are both excellent)
• Underwear (1 week’s supply)
• 1 pair shorts, for the possible hot springs
• Bandanna or scarf
• Boots, can be lightweight but should be sturdy and comfortable
• Rain jacket (rain pants optional)
• Warm jacket (fleece or down)
• Long underwear (1 set, not cotton)
• Vest (optional)
• Sandals
• Hat(s)-it’s a good idea to bring one warm hat and another for the sun
Other Important Items:
• Travel duffel bag or internal frame backpack. Doesn’t need to be high-tech but should be very sturdy. Best without too many outside pockets
• Day pack
• Sleeping bag (good to 20 Fahrenheit, down recommended but not necessary), and COMFORTABLE sleeping pad
• An adequate supply of any prescription medication
• Camera and film
• Good UV protection sunglasses (this is very important against strong high altitude sun)
• Pepto-Bismol tablets
• Combination padlock (for storing your belongings)
• Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts and plenty of cleaning solution, if used
• Flashlight and batteries (for our many monastery visits and camping)
• Luggage locks
• Small travel alarm clock
• Soap/toothbrush/toothpaste
• Sun block (at least SPF 15)
• Spiral notebook (small and medium sizes recommended)
• Study journal and pens
• Tampons and/or sanitary napkins
• Towel
• Water bottle (at least one liter, and be sure to check for leaks)
• Water purification tablets
Optional Items:
• Ace bandage
• Acidophilus tablets (yogurt culture) are good non-chemical treatments for stomach problems
• Small first-aid kit (band-aids, ibuprofen, decongestants, tape, etc.)
• Brush/comb
• Dental floss
• Iron supplements (for women)
• Moleskin-type blister protection
• Novels (bring a few and trade with classmates)
• Swiss Army knife or multi-tool knife
• Tape recorder and batteries (can be invaluable for field work, recording interviews, music, street sounds, etc.)
• Umbrella
• Vitamin supplements (available in Lhasa but of lower quality and dosage than those found in the US )
• Plastic bags in varying sizes (‘zip-lock’ bags are useful for storage in dusty/wet environments, plastic garbage bags are useful to protect sleeping bag, etc. from wet weather)
• Supply of “happy food” (favorite chocolate, trail-mix, candy etc.-good after a long day trip)
• Sleeping tents, mess-tent, kitchen equipment, and other “group” camping equipment will be provided on camping trips
