What to carry on a Trek

If you are planning to go trekking with friends, you need to plan out every single detail in advance to the trip. For trekking can take you through No Man’s Land and you need to be extra cautious about the accessories you take along.

Here are a few of the more important things you need to be wary about when you plan for a trekking trip.

Light weight bags:- Most of the trip would require you to travel by foot. Hence you need to decide on a bag that doesn’t weigh too much and yet has enough room to carry all your stuff. It is best to carry two bags, a back pack for all the essential articles and an additional heavier duffel bag for surplus supplies.

Go for Faney, Waist Packs or Hydration Packs. The former is small, water resistant and is used to carry the really important stuff like first aid kits, important papers etc., in case you go for hikes or climbs. The latter comprises of a small back pack with a small water compartment and a straw. This enables you to let go of your water bottle and you can store water in the puch itself.

Check your health condition:- Trekking is a sport that is exciting yet leaves you bushed. It is recommended to have a fitness test right before the trek to make sure your body can handle the haul. Alternatively, engage in some tiring exercises prior to the trip. Bring along mosquito repellents as you are sure to get attacked by the meanest of all mosquitoes in the open air. Better yet, get a vaccination prior to the trip to ward off ailments like cholera, typhoid, polio, tetanus etc.

All forms of allergies and medical conditions should be reported to your trek guide. If anywhere during the trek, you get the feeling of being sick, inform the guide at once, rest for some time and then carry on. Don’t exhaust your body to the core and end up calling off the trek in the middle.

Things to Have with You:-

Official papers are a must when you travel to foreign destinations. Keep your passports and the permit papers if any, handy. In some cases, you need to obtain permit months in advance to your trip along with a visa for the duration of your stay. Keep these documents safe in a plastic sheet inside your back pack.

High Quality Gear:- Some of the countries you travel to may not have the latest in trek equipments so you may want to bring along your own cameras, camcorders, or any scientific equipments. Be sure to declare these items in the airport upon arrival so that you don’t face any issues while leaving.

Permits: - Some countries require that you obtain a permit for the trek months in advance to your trip. Permits are also required for filming documentaries. It is best to apply for the permit a few months in advance to your trip so that you don’t face any last minute hassles.

Another important element is to take insurance coverage against medical emergencies like accidents, hospitalization and helicopter evacuation. Otherwise you will end up being charged handsomely for any of these situations.

It is essential that you make a check list of all the items you need to carry on a trek and divide them among your duffel bag and backpack. If it may help, the list of items below provides an insight in what you really need for a trekking trip.

First Aid Kits come first in the list. Be prepared for small unforeseen accidents like cuts, scratches and bruises as you move through the wilderness. Among other essentials, your kit must contain sterile adhesive bandages, antiseptics, a thermometer, some form of hand wash, and common drugs for cold, fever and a dose of pain killers.

Use high quality water proof trek boots with rubber soles, and ensure that most of your wear is thermal. You may want to add an additional woolen suit to ward off cold nights. Long sleeved shirts and underpants keep you safe from rampaging insects, especially leaches.

Carry enough food for the duration of your trek. Water that is obtained from creeks and rivers can be boiled with an aluminum spun bottle or you can use water purification tablets.

Carry a mirror compass, a sharp pocket knife, a whistle, a flashlight, a watch, a waterproof matchstick box (alternatively a cigarette lighter will do), a map of the entire terrain, a sleeping bag, a flair gun and cooking supplies for treks that stretch multiple days. Don’t forget the toilet kit which normally needs to contain a small towel, cleanser and some toilet paper.

Other not so important but still useful items would include: some polythene bags that can also be used to used for protection from rain and the damp ground in camp sites, a brimmed sun hat with a pair of sunglasses, a BNT guide book to help you in case you get lost and all other options fail, and finally a roll of electrical or insulation tape for running repairs on any equipment. If you plan to trek for multiple days, then a camping kit is also considered useful.