Traveling to Mountainous areas – What you need to have in your backpack!

Traveling – The healthiest addiction one can have… It is about escaping everyday hectic routines, and stepping out of your comfort zone is an ultimate adventure. If you are planning an adventurous trip to mountainous areas, it is advisable to chalk out each day of your trip before travelling. You can use the checklist given below to ensure that you do not face difficulty of not having these items in your backpack that are core to your trip. 

If you are a first-time traveler, these are a few things that are a “Must have” in your backpack. 

• A handheld map… Do not trust your phones, because when it comes to Mountainous regions, the risk of losing connectivity is very real. 
• A whistle, just in case you get stuck in a situation where you may have to camp in an unknown location. A sharp whistle can easily scare away wildlife and you may call for help through a distress signal. 
• A clean bed sheet and a blanket are a must. Sometimes the hotels are not up to the mark and the lack of hygiene can not only make you sick but can also cause rashes and allergies. You certainly do not want to get sick during your adventure. So carrying a cotton bed sheet and a throw can go a long way. 
• Water-based wipes and sanitizing sprays are essentials. Water wipes are skin-friendly and will not irritate the pH balance of your skin. On the other hand, you can use a sanitizing spray to sanitize almost every surface that you are going to have skin contact with. This will help eliminate 99.9% of disease-causing germs. 
• Sunscreen… We cannot stress more on this. Sunscreens are a must, Mountain areas have high exposure to sunlight and since you will be spending most of your time outside, you will need sufficient sun protection against sunburns.
• First-aid Kit for any mishaps. Over-the-counter medicines for stomach distress and headaches are compulsory for your first aid kit. 
• A clean towel, travel toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a bar of hand soap.
• Sanitary napkins.
• Mosquito and insect repellents to prevent insect bites, which may make you sick.  
• A traveling mug comes in handy. 
• Socks, clean under-wears, and Thermals are important in cases of emergency change of clothes, even if you are staying for a day or two. 
• A pre-filled insulated water bottle. 
• Portable phone chargers or battery packs are a good option because you may not have access to electricity, especially if you are planning to camp. 
• ID card is a must. Write down your emergency numbers and medical conditions on a badge, and attach it to your backpack. In case of an emergency, that can be used to effectively help you in time.  

If you are an amateur mountaineer, then these are the items you should seriously consider while packing your backpack: 

1. Compass, GPS device, and an altimeter.
2. Matchsticks, a lighter, and fire starters. 
3. A portable stove and a small cooking pot. 
4. A multipurpose knife, like a Swiss knife, which can be used for various purposes and protection.
5. Light weight camping gears and its repair kit is a must, one can survive without food but an appropriate shelter is a mandatory in mountaineering.  
6. Good quality sun glasses that can filter 99% of UVA and UVB rays at higher altitudes will protect your eyes and sensitive area around it against more UV rich sunlight and radiations. Even when the weather conditions are cloudy, radiations can penetrate those clouds and may cause the cornea of your eyes to burn, causing a painful eye conditions called snow blindness.
7. One should always pack food more than the estimated amount of food for each planned day just in case there is some delay caused due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.
8. Headlamps can prove to be useful in low light when finding routes or reaching your destination when you are running out of daylight. 
9. Carrying extra water is advised but if one does not have that much of a carrying capacity, he or she should carry means of purifying water with either chemicals or by boiling it. Water is usually easily available from mountain streams or you can melt snow too.      

You can travel solo, by car or you can take a bus. Whatever your options are always keep these 14 items close to you and make sure you have extra cash with you. And if you accidentally get stuck in a situation where you suffer personal injury and damage due to someone else’s fault, you can always reach out to the pacific attorney group for rightful compensation of your losses.