What to carry on a trek?
For day trek
I have been trekking since my school days and trekking has been one of my passion. My stint with trekking started when I first joined Bal Bhavan when I was in school. I went trekking to a place near by Kanakapura and also did a trek from Ghati subramanya to Nandi hills. After my big trek in Himalayas (Saar pas) in 2005 I got quite a good experience in trekking.
Below find the list of items for what you need to carry for a trekking.
1 - Light, breathable t-shirt (wear 1 + carry 1 extra), cotton T-shirt which keeps your body cool if you are trekking in hot sun. Synthetic T-shirt will cause itching when you sweat.
2 - long, light, dry-fit pants (for walking on grassy hill slopes)- If you are trekking in grass land like western ghats you will find tall dry grass which can prick your skin. A long dry-fit pants will reduce pricking of grass to the skin. After trek when you rest make sure you check for thorns which are sticking on to the pants.
3 - light, shorts (for walking along stream/boulders, swimming in pools/falls)- When you want to walk along the stream which is knee deep or want to refresh in the stream a light short will come handy.
4 - Breathable shoes (dry easily when wet)- Shoes is one of the important gear for trekking. I have suffered many times due to incorrect or wrong trekking shoe. If the shoe is too tight you get blisters on your feet and walking 10 to 12 kms in such conditions is pain. Select a correct shoe size and before buying make sure you wear them and walk few yards to check if its too tight. Use the correct type of shoe depending on the type of trek. If you are trekking in summer use normal trekking as shown in the picture. If you are trekking in rain you need to protect your feet from cold water and leeches, I normally use gum boots which I am trekking in rain, which I feel very comfortable.
5 - Compact back pack (max 25-30L) - An over weight back pack is a strict no. Have a back pack which is very light and do not over load with un-necessary things which you do not use.
6 - Light towel (good protection against sun when hot) - Towel not only help you in wiping out excessive water after a wash, It can also be used to protect from the hot sun. Put it on your head and wear a cap over it it will keep your ears and face cool.
7 - sun screen - When trekking in hot sun at higher altitudes and good SPF rating Sun Screen is necessary, It will prevent sun burns.
8 - Camera - You may remember your recent treks but you will never remember the details of the treks which you have done 2 or 3 years back. To remember the trekking moments capture them in a small handi camera. I have seen many pro photographers (including me) carrying SLR's and tripods. Its left to you as to what kind of camera you carry but make sure you capture the trekking moments to cherish.
9 - Reusable PET bottle(s) (to fill water when leaving stream) - Drinking water is important while trekking to maintain body PH level. Having a Pet bottle handy helps you to store water when you do not find water source. Make sure you use a good muslin cloth or good filter to collect water from stream. If you have chlorine tablets use it as prescribed.
For overnight trek
10 - Thermocoil mat for sleeping comfortably/warm on rough terrain - Sleeping in wild inside a tent you have to keep yourself as warm as possible to get a good night sleep. Most of the times when you sleep on the ground you will be sleeping on small stones and pebbles, make use Thermocoil sheet to keep yourself warm and cozy.
11 - Light blanket for sleeping (summer) or sleeping bag (winter) - Sleeping bags is a must if you are sleeping in higher altitudes like Himalayas there are Sleeping bags depending upon the how cold they can withstand. Light blanket are generally used in summer and if you are sleeping inside a tent.
12 - Bowl (or a plate) and spoon (or fork) for soup, dinner, tea - Have your own set of utensils for eating even if you are going as a group and do not depend upon others to provide them for you. Bowl or plate depends what you or your team plans to prepare. Trekkers (90%) prepare noodles, soup, Tea or coffee. so eating noodles either form bowl or plate is ok as long as you have a fork to eat it.
13 - Torch for walking after sunset and campsite - One of the important trekking gear is a good torch with a back up cells. Many times we tend to slow down and we end up still trekking even after sun set. A white LED torch would be a very handy tool in such a situation. Get hold of a Head Torch which you can wear it on your head it will free up your hands to hold on to a stick.
Thanks & Regards
Neo
For day trek
I have been trekking since my school days and trekking has been one of my passion. My stint with trekking started when I first joined Bal Bhavan when I was in school. I went trekking to a place near by Kanakapura and also did a trek from Ghati subramanya to Nandi hills. After my big trek in Himalayas (Saar pas) in 2005 I got quite a good experience in trekking.
Below find the list of items for what you need to carry for a trekking.
1 - Light, breathable t-shirt (wear 1 + carry 1 extra), cotton T-shirt which keeps your body cool if you are trekking in hot sun. Synthetic T-shirt will cause itching when you sweat.
2 - long, light, dry-fit pants (for walking on grassy hill slopes)- If you are trekking in grass land like western ghats you will find tall dry grass which can prick your skin. A long dry-fit pants will reduce pricking of grass to the skin. After trek when you rest make sure you check for thorns which are sticking on to the pants.
3 - light, shorts (for walking along stream/boulders, swimming in pools/falls)- When you want to walk along the stream which is knee deep or want to refresh in the stream a light short will come handy.
4 - Breathable shoes (dry easily when wet)- Shoes is one of the important gear for trekking. I have suffered many times due to incorrect or wrong trekking shoe. If the shoe is too tight you get blisters on your feet and walking 10 to 12 kms in such conditions is pain. Select a correct shoe size and before buying make sure you wear them and walk few yards to check if its too tight. Use the correct type of shoe depending on the type of trek. If you are trekking in summer use normal trekking as shown in the picture. If you are trekking in rain you need to protect your feet from cold water and leeches, I normally use gum boots which I am trekking in rain, which I feel very comfortable.
5 - Compact back pack (max 25-30L) - An over weight back pack is a strict no. Have a back pack which is very light and do not over load with un-necessary things which you do not use.
6 - Light towel (good protection against sun when hot) - Towel not only help you in wiping out excessive water after a wash, It can also be used to protect from the hot sun. Put it on your head and wear a cap over it it will keep your ears and face cool.
7 - sun screen - When trekking in hot sun at higher altitudes and good SPF rating Sun Screen is necessary, It will prevent sun burns.
8 - Camera - You may remember your recent treks but you will never remember the details of the treks which you have done 2 or 3 years back. To remember the trekking moments capture them in a small handi camera. I have seen many pro photographers (including me) carrying SLR's and tripods. Its left to you as to what kind of camera you carry but make sure you capture the trekking moments to cherish.
9 - Reusable PET bottle(s) (to fill water when leaving stream) - Drinking water is important while trekking to maintain body PH level. Having a Pet bottle handy helps you to store water when you do not find water source. Make sure you use a good muslin cloth or good filter to collect water from stream. If you have chlorine tablets use it as prescribed.
For overnight trek
10 - Thermocoil mat for sleeping comfortably/warm on rough terrain - Sleeping in wild inside a tent you have to keep yourself as warm as possible to get a good night sleep. Most of the times when you sleep on the ground you will be sleeping on small stones and pebbles, make use Thermocoil sheet to keep yourself warm and cozy.
11 - Light blanket for sleeping (summer) or sleeping bag (winter) - Sleeping bags is a must if you are sleeping in higher altitudes like Himalayas there are Sleeping bags depending upon the how cold they can withstand. Light blanket are generally used in summer and if you are sleeping inside a tent.
12 - Bowl (or a plate) and spoon (or fork) for soup, dinner, tea - Have your own set of utensils for eating even if you are going as a group and do not depend upon others to provide them for you. Bowl or plate depends what you or your team plans to prepare. Trekkers (90%) prepare noodles, soup, Tea or coffee. so eating noodles either form bowl or plate is ok as long as you have a fork to eat it.
13 - Torch for walking after sunset and campsite - One of the important trekking gear is a good torch with a back up cells. Many times we tend to slow down and we end up still trekking even after sun set. A white LED torch would be a very handy tool in such a situation. Get hold of a Head Torch which you can wear it on your head it will free up your hands to hold on to a stick.
Thanks & Regards
Neo
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