A journey on foot combining both hiking and walking activity involving people, especially through mountainous areas for multiple days and along lovely mountains, villages and enjoying nature and close contact with people in remote mountain villages where lifestyle sometimes is unchanged since many generations, is termed as trekking. It is done in risky mountainous areas too helping the trekkers to gain knowledge regarding adventurous build up capacity. However, there are various types of trekking activities in our country.
Depending on the temperatures and the phase of development of the trekking area , there are basic equipments that should be taken while going for trekking.
- A pair of hiking/trekking boots
- A pair of slippers
- Several pairs of woollen socks and cotton socks
- One light long underwear bottom
- One medium long underwear bottom
- A pair of climbing and pile pants
- Two medium poly pro shirts
- One light woollen/fleece sweater
- One pile jacket
- One down vest
- One down sweater/jacket
- A pair of light wind Gore-Tex jacket and pant
- A pair of woollen hat and Sun hat
- A pair of glacier glasses
- A pair of Gore-Tex glove shells with liner or ski gloves
- A pair of woollen gloves
- A Swiss Army knife
- A trekking pack of 3000 cubic inches capacity
- Sun screen lotion SPF 10 to 30 and sun screen stick SPF 10 to 30
- Books, mp3 player (optional)
- An one-litre water bottle
- A pair of trekking poles (optional)
- One torch with enough sets of batteries
- Two large and strong waterproof duffel bags with lock (17x13x32 inch)
- Zip lock bags
- toilet paper (optional)
- Medicines (Doctor’s advice) :
- Aspirin or ibuprofen
- Pepto Bismol
- Band aids/bandages
- Moleskin
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Tropical antiseptic
- Anti-acid tablets
- Laxative
- Water purification tablets
Footwear:
This is one of the most important considerations, as blisters and sore feet will spoil our trek. It is recommended to take a pair of lightweight trekking boots, suitable for walking over rough terrain and comfortable over long distances. Good quality fabric boots are recommended. If you are considering a trek where you are likely to encounter a couple of days of snow-covered trails, one should opt for a waterproof trekking boot – either a Gore-Tex-lined fabric boot or a leather boot. It is preferable to walk in a more substantial pair of leather boots, but one has to make sure that they are well worn-in prior to the trek. Choosing a pair of trekking boots is a very individual process, and should be guided by our own experience and preferences. A good outdoor equipment store will be able to advice as to the fitting of the boots. For wearing about camp and walking the easier sections of trail it is recommended to wear gym shoes or similar.
Mountaineering Footwear (Trekking Peak trips only):
This is one of the most important considerations, as blisters and sore feet will spoil our trek. It is recommended to take a pair of lightweight trekking boots, suitable for walking over rough terrain and comfortable over long distances. Good quality fabric boots are recommended. If you are considering a trek where you are likely to encounter a couple of days of snow-covered trails, one should opt for a waterproof trekking boot – either a Gore-Tex-lined fabric boot or a leather boot. It is preferable to walk in a more substantial pair of leather boots, but one has to make sure that they are well worn-in prior to the trek. Choosing a pair of trekking boots is a very individual process, and should be guided by our own experience and preferences. A good outdoor equipment store will be able to advice as to the fitting of the boots. For wearing about camp and walking the easier sections of trail it is recommended to wear gym shoes or similar.
Gaiters:
Gaiters are an important piece of equipment, which will help to keep your feet warm and dry in wet and snowy conditions. The simple “alpine” style of gaiter which hooks onto the bootlaces and is held under the instep by a strap or lace is fine for most trekking applications. These “alpine” gaiters are widely available.
Socks:
If we prefer to wear two pairs of socks, our inner socks should be thin cotton, wool-based or a mixture – natural fibres are best. If we prefer to wear a single pair of thicker socks then these should also be mainly natural fibres and of loop stitch construction for maximum warmth and comfort. Take 2 or 3 pairs.
Clothing:
Clothing needs to be adaptable to suit a wide range of conditions, including extremes of weather and varying levels of physical activity. Modern thinking supports the adoption of the principle of “layering” which involves the use of several thin layers of thermally efficient clothing, which can be worn in a number of combinations, according to the prevailing circumstances. Where it is warm enough one can trek in either shorts or lightweight trekking trousers and a long sleeve cotton shirt or T-shirt. For colder conditions, you can add layers of thermal clothing. Patagonia Capilene thermal clothing is very good and comes in three weights – lightweight, midweight and expedition weight. On top of these thermals you should add layers of fleece. Patagonia, Marmot, The North Face and many other manufacturers make a wide range of fleece garments, jackets, pullovers, pants and vests. These are generally made from Polartec 200 and 300 fabric, which is warm, light and quick drying. Warmer still, are the new windproof fleece garments. Extremely, if it starts to rain, or if you are making a high, cold climb or pass crossing, you will have your waterproof shell outerwear, jacket and pants, to fall back on.
Active outdoor pursuits such as trekking and climbing require protection from the chill of the wind more often than protection from rain, especially in mountain ranges such as the Himalaya. Shell garments made from breathable fabrics (GoreTex or equivalent) are to be preferred for the following reason. Thermal underwear or base layers work on a ‘wick-dry’ principle, wicking the perspiration away from the skin to where it can evaporate without cooling the body. A non-breathable shell garment prevents this drying process from being effective, by trapping the moisture as condensation on the inside of the shell material. The enclosed thermal layers remain wet, and their insulating properties are reduced as a result. There is an enormous range of waterproof and breathable outerwear on the market. This includes technical mountaineering shells as well as simpler (and less expensive) garments which are ideal for general outdoor use and, at the same time, perfectly suited to trekking holidays.
Sleeping bag:
For any of our treks, we will need a 4-season sleeping bag rated to at least zero degrees. A full-length side zip is essential to facilitate ventilation on warmer nights. A cotton or fleece liner adds to the warmth and comfort of a bag and prevents it from becoming excessively soiled. A mattress is needed primarily to insulate you from the cold ground, and you should take a quality closed-cell foam mat or you should consider the more expensive self-inflating Thermarest pads. It is advised to bring cotton or fleece sleeping bag liner.
Sun protection:
In a land where the air temperature may be only 75 degrees, a thermometer left in the sun can reach 120 degrees, so sun protection is to be taken seriously! A wide-brimmed sunhat is a very good idea, or an Arab-type headscarf to keep the sun off your head. At altitude, the sun’s rays are particularly strong, and sunglasses with 100% ultraviolet and infrared filtration are recommended. These glasses are available with detachable leather or plastic side pieces, which give increased protection, especially from reflected glare, and you should give serious consideration to such ”glacier glasses” for any trek which includes walking or climbing on snow. You should bring a plentiful supply of suncream – a couple of large tubes of factor 6-10 (depending on the skin sensitivity) for lower down, and some total block (factor 15-20) for above the snowline. Lipsalve of a suitable filter factor is also necessary.
Daypacks for trekking:
A 2500 cubic inch pack should be large enough to carry the following items on trek
- hell jacket and pants.
- fleece jacket, pants, extra pair of socks, gym shoes.
- Two water bottles, with at least 2 quart total capacity.
- camera plus accessories, binoculars, etc.
- first aid kit
Thus, these trekking accessories play an important role in the trekking activities.
