ESSENTIAL THINGS TO CARRY ON A TREK
Trekking is one of the most popular activities to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily lives, to soak in the natural beauty of the world, and to give ourselves the mindfulness and tranquillity that we absolutely need.
Before you set off for a trek, always ensure you are aware of the weather conditions and the day and night temperatures of the locations you are trekking to.
The following is a list of essential items one must pack for a trek:
- Water bottle – One must always stay hydrated throughout the trek, as it can get difficult to find water in high altitudes. Invest in a good quality bottle that does not leak, and completely avoid plastic bottles.
- Trekking/ Hiking shoes – Most trekking routes contain rugged terrains which could be difficult to walk on with regular, everyday wear shoes. Invest in a good pair of trekking shoes, which are comfortable and does not cause you any pain while walking on rough surfaces.
- Backpacks – Carry a good backpack that is comfortable to carry for long durations, and has extra pockets to keep multiple items in an organized and efficient way, and has a good threshold. The avg. week-long treks require 50-60 litres of volume. Ensure that it is a waterproof bag, or has a rain cover attached to it.
- Flashlights – It is necessary to carry a flashlight for trekking at night and camping at night, as it is not good to depend upon your mobile phones for light. Ensure you also have extra batteries for the same.
- Hand sanitizer – Since trekking locations require you to climb and touch multiple surfaces, it is always good to use a sanitizer to keep germs at bay to avoid flu or allergies. You could also use wipes, but try not to litter them and instead stash them in your bag until you can find a stipulated place to dispose them.
- Trekking clothes – Invest in a good pair of trekking clothes, i.e., a shirt and pants that are comfortable enough to move and do activities on treks. If you are going on a trek location that is cold/ snowy, carry a set of thermal wear and caps/ scarves to keep you warm.
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- Route map – The most important item on the list: a route map. This will guide you throughout your trek, and lets you stay on track. It is difficult to find GPS on your phones in high altitude locations, thus always carry a map.
- Powerbank – There are chances that your phone’s batteries may run out, hence it is advisable to carry power banks which need to be fully charged at all times. You might find power slots in some places you go, where you could recharge your power banks. Avoid carrying multiple electronic items.
- Windcheater – If you are planning for a trek in cold weather conditions or to places with snow, carry a good windcheater that keeps you warm enough, but isn’t very bulky so that you can still trek for long durations. For example,Nag Tibba Trek are popular for their snow capped mountains and frozen rivers.
- Raincoat – Keep in mind to check the weather of the place you are about to trek to. In case it is a monsoon season, carry a raincoat that covers you till your ankles and also ensure that your backpack has a rain cover.
- Sunscreen – Always carry a sunscreen, in case you are trekking in the summer. This is because trekking exposes you to the sun for most part of the day, and it may cause you sunburns or rashes. Invest in a sunscreen with good SPF content.
- Swiss knife – a Trekker’s best friend, Swiss knife comes handy in many unthinkable situations and it is always good to carry on hikes and treks. It contains multiple blades which are extremely useful for various circumstances.
