Down jacket for Nepal trekking

I've never been to Nepal, but if you're going to be at 4000m during the winter I'd opt for something warmer than a montbelle mirage.

What kind of temps are you looking at? I have a FF volant and it's good down to 0F (maybe lower if you layer right), and it's not too heavy either. Waterproof fabric on the outside. Couldn't be happier w it.

As I recall, there is a big difference between October and December in Nepal. Sometimes October 1 is the end of the monsoon season, so it can be rainy and windy, but not particularly cold. December is always cold. Also, I remember tea houses all the way up to 17,000 feet, so it depends a lot on where you expect to go. I also remember all tea houses as being uniformly smoky. I'm not certain that I would want to invest a bunch of money in a new down parka and then get it all smoked up in the first week.

The last time that I went to Nepal, I tried to practice some ultralightweight principles even though the trek was totally supported.

–B.G.–

there is a big difference between October and December in Nepal.

+1

We’ll need a more precise time of your travels. Without that, your chosen down jacket might be to much overkill or to cold.

However, to give you an idea: if you trek end of November/beginning of December, expect (a) a lot of time in the common room as you’ll only have 11 hours or so daylight and as one often cannot hike further due to the risk of altitude sickness, and (b) that this room can be fairly cold above 4000 meter (e.g. 7° Celcius in Chuckung (4600m), even with the stove on). Your sleeping room is not heated at all. And remember: you’ll most probably feel a bit unsettled due to the altitude and consequent acclimatization process. Warmth might mitigate that discomfort partially.

Summary: when trekking in December, a four season down jacket is recommended (ps: can also be rented in Thamel, the compact tourist ghetto of Kathmandu). The Montbell Mirage will most certainly not be enough. I would recommend double the amount of – the same quality – down.

PS: end of November and the two first weeks of December would be my recommended time to trek Nepal: mostly crisp clear skies + crowds have gone.

edit: typos

When I was there the last time (mid-October), we got to Dingboche, and it was a bit cold. Fortunately, there was a tea house that was warm, even though we were sleeping out in tents. The tea house was heated by a yak dung stove, and there was an all-glass sun room with a solar-heated shower. That warm stop brought us back to life again.

We ran into some friends who were also out in tents, but they had no tea house. They looked cold and miserable.

–B.G.–

I took my FF Volant …all the way up to Everest basecamp … and was VERY glad that I did

I just got back from Nepal three passes trek, done in the last three weeks of November. I brought the FF Helios hooded jacket and my husband brought a Montbell Mirage. Both were plenty warm for the weather we encountered (supplemented with an R1 pullover).

Thanks all. Sounds like it may or may not be enough depending on the time of year I go. Sorry I didn't give more information as the timing of the trip isn't planned yet. The FF Volant recommendations are good, looks like a fine jacket and I might try that one if going in the colder months.

Mary, hope you enjoyed the 3 passes trek! Having done the Annapurna circuit, that is probably my next top choice in Nepal, but unfortunately it's unlikely I can get enough time off to do it this year.

Is there a rule of thumb about how much fill would be appropriate for different temperatures? I realise fill power/jacket construction etc all play a role (let's take 850/900 fill as that's what good jackets seem to use), but a starting point would be useful – if one can be given.

Here is a good thread for you to read A New Paradigm for Understanding Garment Warmth

Thanks!