Trekking is a thrilling journey through the unknown. It takes you to mesmerizing landscapes with every step you take. It lets you capture the moments of breath-taking sunsets and sunrises. Your dusks and dawns will be the most peaceful times you will experience with an array of hues to please your sight. It brings you closer to nature in the true sense and you can experience the miracles of nature first hand. Unlike city landscapes, trekking leads you to scenarios that are truly filled with more life than you can imagine, while sitting in the metro crammed with people all around you.
Trekking has a longer history than we know it to be in today. Of course with the rise of adventure seekers and the general population rise, trekking has started to gain popularity. Only recently there was news of deaths at the Everest base camp trek due to overcrowding, so much for growing popularity. Anyway, there is a certain appendage with trekking in Nepal.
Did you know that Nepal hosts about 60% of the mighty Himalayan mountain ranges? The Himalayas, which is also the largest mountain, range in the world. These ranges host a lot of trekking trails that are new and tend to different levels of trekking capacities. There is a trail for all kinds of trekking enthusiasts from beginners to professionals; the Himalayas host a large flock of enthusiasts each passing year.
So for the ones who have just tuned into this fantastic activity called trekking, here are 7 extremely essential things that you must include in your rucksack before you head out into the wilderness:
- A good sturdy rucksack:
Now this is the one thing that is going to stay with you throughout the journey and will carry all your essentials. You need to make sure that the bag pack is sturdy in its built, has a good stitch all over, is light weight, preferably water proof and has secret pockets to keep your dry socks and clothes. A onetime investment in a good rucksack goes a long way without causing problems like tearing. You can use this bag pack in all of the other expeditions that you go on. A good rucksack has space for all your stuff and even has space for carrying a tent below the rucksack.
- Clothes:
You may be thinking that carrying clothes is a given thing before you head to your first trek, but that is not the point. I have seen so many beginners make horrible mistakes like carrying pairs and pairs of denims for their trek. This is the first rule, never trek in a pair of denims as it restricts movement and stretches. Try to go for comfortable track pants, stretchable leggings and if it’s a cold place you’re travelling to, carry track pants that have inner felt lining to keep you warm inside without compromising on movement. If it’s a cold place, one may carry a load of sweaters, and warm jackets, not saying that you don’t need them, but there are alternatives. Invest in a good windcheaters, these come in a waterproof material, and as the name suggests keeps the harsh winds at bay while keeping your body warmth intact, and these are extremely light weight to carry. So, couple of windcheaters along with a sweater and a warm jacket should keep you warm enough in the cold while leaving a lot of space for other essentials in your rucksack. Always carry an extra pair of warm dry socks, trust me you’ll need them. Carry clean under-wears and t-shirts. Also carry a pair of slippers.
- Foods and water:
Try to carry dry fruits, almonds, walnuts, raisins, hazelnuts, pistachios and a few biscuits. While on the trek after every few miles of trekking you will feel hungry and the goal is to not fill yourself with food, so munch on these dry fruits, they don’t fill your stomach but at the same time stops the feeling of hunger and also provides you with energy and nutrients at the same time. Carry an empty bottle of water so you can fill it wherever you find the first source of water on the trek. Stay hydrated.
- Essential gadgets:
I remember the first time I went on a trek and was assured that I had carried all essentials till the day I had to camp on the trek. I had forgotten to carry any sort of source of light. I did not want to use the torch on my phone as it would kill the little battery I had left, and so I had to stay in the dark trying hard to sleep before I’d wanted to. Always carry a lamp (the electric battery fueled lamps) if you are going to camp. Carry a power bank to keep all your phones, mp3s charged; also carry a speaker just so that you can listen to some music for motivation or relaxation.
- Medicines:
This cannot be emphasized enough; nothing stalls a good trekking expedition than a quick injury in the team. Carry antiseptic cream or spray, cotton, gauge bandages, Savlon or Dettol, Soframycin to heal wounds, sprain sprays and an anti-bacterial medicine to stop the growth of bacterial infections (both internal and external).
- Carry your own shelter:
Sometimes tourist spaces can be fully booked and no hotels for you to stay in. In these scenarios, the best way to spend a good time is to carry a tent with you. Invest in a good spacious tent that is lightweight and you are good to go even if they don’t have room for you. Make your own room.
- Repellent sprays:
This is the most essential and undermined necessity for campers. For insects, nothing is more attractive than new blood in their area. So when you are on a trek you will find yourself crowded by so many kinds of insects that you won’t even feel the need of a company. To avoid these situations, carry insect repellents and lotions that are easily available in the market. Now days, you even get insect repelling incense sticks. Don’t hesitate in lighting a few of these sticks around your camps and tents at a new place.
Author Bio :
Manmohan Singh is a passionate Yogi, Yoga Teacher and a Traveller in India. He organize 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh. Manmohan Singh conducts Yoga Teacher Training in India in different cities. He loves writing and reading books related to yoga, health, nature, Himalayas and Trekking in India.
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