We often feel like carrying all the comforts of our home when traveling. This leads to taking unnecessary items that had best been left at home. Trails around Annapurna, Everest Base Camp, and almost all destinations are well facilitated, with lodges providing proper food, beds, and blankets. These routes are well-trailed by locals and foreigners; most Trek is just walking! However, if you plan to go higher than 4,000m, you should get some feathers or wool to keep you warm. If you are going for a trek and not an expedition or peak climbing, you can shed a lot of weight from your backpack.
Basic Gear to Carry on Trek
The Backpack:
A comfortable backpack big enough to hold all your belongings, preferably with multiple compartments, would save you from a lot of hassle on the journey. Do not forget the rain cover as it may get rainy even during a dry season. Also, a light bag to carry food, water, and other essential items during a hike would serve a good purpose.
Clothes:
The basic rule is to avoid cotton and dress in something that dries quickly. Dress in layers, which will help you adjust appropriately to the weather conditions. Besides your regular T-shirts, do not forget to wear long-sleeved shirts to prevent your skin from burning, as the sun rays have a powerful effect in higher altitudes. Bodywarmers, wind and water stopper jackets and pants, cap and head warmers, gloves, shorts, underwear, socks, and towels are essential clothing you should need.
A pair of well-broken hiking shoes, preferably waterproof, is the greatest asset for a comfortable journey. In addition, a couple of light slippers should ease your feet while resting in the lodge.
Food and drinks:
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are readily available in lodges or tea houses as a la carte and set meals in most places. Carrying energy bars like Snickers, snacks, and electrolytes would be a great idea to avoid a low glucose level in your body when in need.
Water purification tablets, filters, or devices are also advised to avoid unwanted sickness from water-borne diseases. Carry enough water to keep you turgid during the Trek. Dehydration is the most common cause of altitude sickness. Nalgene or metal water bottles should serve the purpose.
First aid, Hygiene, and Sun Protection:
Blocking the sun with a cap/hat and sunglasses and using sunscreen lotions and chapsticks keep you at bay from unwanted skin burning, often leading to easy cracks in cold weather. In addition, a basic first aid kit with bandages, ointments, and medicines has worked wonders for many in times of need. Also, tissue paper and soap will keep you clean during the hike.
Miscellaneous Items:
A map would be helpful even if you travel with your guide. Besides, small items like a headlamp, Swiss army knife, nail clipper, trekking poles, an umbrella, extra camera battery, and memory card should be taken. On a noisy evening, earplugs would be a great help, especially if you plan to start your walk early the next day. Consider the Journey Everest Base Camp in Nepal to start the adventure holidays.
