Nepal Hike, power and cold a problem?

[Ragamuffinbds]

Greetings,
I am taking part in a three week charity hike from Katmandu to Everest Basecamp this Nov/Dec.
Overnight temperatures expected around -15, and very few oppotunities to charge batteries enroute.
I usually use a Rebel XT but am starting to have second thoughts because of its size and weight.
I am looking for a reccomendation of a good solid compact canon (eg: 6 Megapixel) which holds a good charge.
I understand cold can sap battery charge so am looking to take extra cels and maybe a solio solar charger.
Any reccomendations on any of this would be appreciated.

Regards,

Neil
p.s. Canon PowerShot SD700 any good????????

[b00ty]

I am Really fond of my A620, takes awesome pictures and with a set of rechargeable batteries the life is epic! Not sure how well the batteries hold up in the cold though, might affect how long they can hold their charge when it gets that cold!

[Jon]

A620, maybe the A610. And in addition to NiMH cells (keep the camera warm) I'd stash 1-2 sets of (Energizer) Lithium disposable AA cells in my bag. They last forever, and have better low temp. performance than NiMH or alkalines. Canon's being coy about whether they're permitted, but in my A80 they explicitly said not to; with the A620 they don't mention them. Also check out solar AA chargers.

[Doom1701e]

p.s. Canon PowerShot SD700 any good????????

The SD700IS is a great little P&S. So far in the few weeks I have had it, I have got some great shots out of it. I have read somewhere on the forum the battery life could be better, but I went 100+ shots over the course of 9 days without charging the battery. AF in dark situation the camera has problems getting a focus lock, but I think that is my only real issue with the camera. Its a great P&S, the price could be better, but overall its worth it.

[Brownie]

[QUOTE=Ragamuffinbds]Greetings,
I am taking part in a three week charity hike from Katmandu to Everest Basecamp this Nov/Dec.
Overnight temperatures expected around -15, and very few oppotunities to charge batteries enroute.
I usually use a Rebel XT but am starting to have second thoughts because of its size and weight.
I am looking for a reccomendation of a good solid compact canon (eg: 6 Megapixel) which holds a good charge.
I understand cold can sap battery charge so am looking to take extra cels and maybe a solio solar charger.
Any reccomendations on any of this would be appreciated.

Regards,

Neil

I don't know what memory cards you are using right now, but it might be a good idea to take mem. cards with you that are guaranteed to keep working in low temperatures. SanDisk Ultra II and Extreme III for example are designed to perform at -25 C (-13F)