Confused! Confused! Confused! Are you confused of what to pack for a trek?
Don’t worry as Vansh Tiwari, from crossroadadventure is here to help to let you know all the important things you need, right from choosing a backpack to providing strength to your feet.
I still remember my first trek experience about three years back, when trekking is like “I will do this very easily by waking up in the morning and walk in a park, there is no need of any preparation.” Eventually, I learned from my mistakes over a period of time and trek by trek.
Here, I will share my mistakes and what to pack for a trek.
Beginner’s Guide to Packing for a Trek
Planning
Planning of what to pack for a trek starts right after you decide to go trekking. First things first, make a mindset that you will start packing at least 5-6 days before leaving for a trek.
You don’t want to end up missing out something on the top of mountain and realising you should have packed it!
My mistake – The very first time I trekked, I missed out on packing warm clothes because I had gone with the mindset that there would be normal temperatures like the current weather at home, and I ended up shivering the whole night inside the camp at 8000ft. Now, I pack 1 week before though.
The point here is pack for a trek way before and prepare mentally for the worst.
Backpack
The type of backpack is decided by the number of days you are going for a trek. If you are going for a trek of 2-3 days trek then 40-45L backpack will be perfect and similarly for 6-7 days 60-70L rucksack. You must also check if the backpack has a rain cover which will help in bad weather. Choosing the right backpack is necessary and will make your trek much more comfortable.
Please Note – More days trekking doesn’t mean more clothes. Yes, important items are exempted here like adding more layers because of weather but not a matching pair for everyday kind of thing.
Also Read: Manali on a Budget – The Complete guide to travel on budget.
Food
A very important factor for a trek is food.
Imagine, you are on a trek with a stomach full of lovely heavy dishes that you ate. Now, will that give you energy or laziness?
That doesn’t mean you don’t eat at all.
Eat light, for example, Nuts and chocolates are the perfect items. I usually carry chocolates high in energy and protein and that doesn’t make me feel low at any point of time during the trek. Look here at some more food’s to pack for a trek.
Water is an essential element in the trek. To make sure you stay hydrated you must carry 2-3 bottles of water. Use the water wisely according to your needs.
*Note – Please do not throw the wrapper’s and empty bottles on the mountains, remember leave no trace practices of being a good global citizen.
Trek Gear
A perfect companion on the trek.
You must take hiking poles whether the trek is an easy one or a slightly higher altitude one, and especially if it is a snow trek (recommended).
This will give you strength and confidence and will make the journey hustle free.
Other necessary equipment’s:
Clothes
Don’t end up packing a full rucksack with clothes, because you are going for a trek here – not a fashion show.
Clothes which are comfortable to wear, loose and light are preferable. Especially trek pants and a T-shirt, thermals depending upon the weather conditions.
I always wear a T-shirt and a Thermal over it to stay warm at such height.
Always carry a separate T-shirt so you can stay hydrated from sweat.
Let me share with you a story. I was on a trek and only carrying one T-shirt and after reaching the camp location saw I was sweating, and with no option left I had to sleep in the sweaty shirt and couldn’t remove it at the same time because of the cold weather.
Disaster night! Now, I carry an extra 2 with me though.
Also Read, What to wear in Marrakech.
Shoes
Here comes my favourite thing: Shoes.
These are the most important companions and your strength.
“The up’s and down’s it will face them all without any complaints and without making you fall”. Just made some lines though.
You must wear shoes with proper grip and suitable for trekking. Your footsteps will be going to decide how far you go.
Medical kit
Safety is the utmost priority.
Bandages, Cotton, and Dettol are a must to include in the safety kit and applied with proper precautions and with full care.
Moisturiser and Sunglasses
Moisturiser is important to protect you from sun burn. Many of us, including me often forget to include this while packing for a trek. Sunglasses to protect your eyes from heat waves is very necessary too.
Make a checklist before you go and be sure to tick this off while packing.
Flashlight and Map
Flashlight can be used at night or points where light is not adequate. Do not depend upon others that they are going to show you the path.
Maps can he handy at any time, just assume you got lost, at least you can find a way out and reach your destination safely.
Toiletries
The last thing you want on a trek is to be infected by other people.
Taking care of your personal hygiene is an important factor, it helps you everywhere and in every field. Your hygiene will insist you to take a decision whether you are going on a next trek or not.
Do remember, always take you belongings with you.
Gloves and Caps
Gloves are necessary to keep your hands warm and for providing strength to your trekking poles.
Caps to protect your ears from any damage or if you have a long hair, it keeps coming on your eyes and that disturbs your concentration and can even make you off balance if a stone suddenly rolls in front of you.
These are my items to pack for a trek as a beginner.
If you have any other suggestions in mind and wanted to share the knowledge, comment below.
Author Bio –
Vansh Tiwari is a passionate Traveler and Adventurer. He is always on the move, when not writing blogs and sharing the knowledge with his readers.
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