I am a pretty avid trekker or hiker as they call them in US. Have trekked extensively in the Himachal/UP Himalayas while in my undergrad in Chandigarh and then in the US have trekked in upstate NY, New Hampshire, California, Washington etc.
During the last decade or so while in the mountains have learned many things, a few by reading a talking to people and a few by experience which is not always the best way to learn!! Here are the trekking essentials according to yours truly:
- Shoes You are going to be walking, ! and you need something which can support your weight and the weight of your backpack. Unfortunately, this is one of the things I learned by experience and a pretty bad one where in the middle of a 4 day backpacking trip I got sores in my feet beacuse I was trying to save money on shoes. Spend liberally on shoes and get ones which have ankle support. A twisted ankle in the wilderness is the last thing you want whether you are alone or in a group. ALWAYS break into your shoes before going on the trip.
Hiking/backpacking shoes always take a few days and in some cases upto a week before they mould themselves to the shape of your feet. Be prepared to spend upto Rs. 4000-6000 on a decent pair of shoes if you are going to do anything more serious than a day’s trek on a well defined trail. Go for heavier shoes if you expect to be carrying a heavy backpack(20 kgs for around 7 days). Lighter ones will do for usual 2-3 day trips which most people take.
Backpack Take a size which suits your needs. A big packpack with a frame is essential for anything more than a 2 day trek as you are going to be carrying sleeping bag, tents, food etc. A smaller one will do for day trips or when you chart out your way such that you can stay in a village every night.(Its possible to do this in most parts of India but not in US where national/state parks prohibit any dwellings) But make sure your pack has a frame if its a big one or else you are not looking at a very pleasant experience with your back in old age!
Clothes An oft neglected part of planning a trek is proper clothes. Mountains can get very cold/windy/rainy even during summer. There is an ancient saying in the Himalayas: Never trust a woman and the weather in the mountains. The last thing you want are soggy feet and dripping hair. Mountains are generally notorious for afternoon thunderstorms even in the supposed dry season. The trick is to dress in layers. Usually a vest and a tshirt/shirt will do while you are walking, but then you need a waterproof layer on top.
In addition, an additional insulating layer of fleece/sweater is necessary for when you halt in the evening with the temperature dropping and your body already having a lot of heat during the day. Keep full pants and shorts. If you have to wade through the water put on your shorts, so that your clothing is still dry later on. Try to get convertible pants if possible.
Food and Water Again its very important to carry the right kind of food. You dont want it to be too bulky without giving you the right energy. A rule of thumb which I follow is carrying 2000 calories per day and an additional 500 per day for snacks/munchies. A breakfast of 800 calories before starting out, lunch/munch of 500 and a sumptous dinner of 1200 calories. Try to make it rich in carbs as fat and protein are harder to burn for the body. Ofcourse, never neglect the importance of water. I have often travelled with first timers carrying 1 liter water for the entire day and by afternoon they are using mine! ATLEAST 3 liters of water per day per person. I’ll talk about refills in the next paragraph.
Maps and Compass This is another area where people try to save money by going with cheap maps. Thats a big no-no. If you are going into the mountains, its very difficult to get your bearings at times without a topographical map and a compass. If the forest is thick, there is no way to see the sun and figure out where you are going. Figure out where you can find streams/lake to refill water. If they appear dirty boil the water before drinking or just put some Iodine tablets in it. Dont take chances with nature is what I have learnt from a few bad experiences. Also, learn how to use a topo map and compass before you leave!
Sleeping Bag and Tent Check the approximate temperatues you are going to face while on your trip and make sure your sleeping bag’s rating is better than that. On my last visit to India, I found this place in Okhla near Delhi where you get professional quality sleeping bags for a very reasonable price(Rs.1000-2000). Dont carry a 4-person tent if only 2 people are going on the trip. Its best to buy a 2-person tent and multiples of those as the weight advantage is minimal after that. Also, make sure you know how to pitch the tent BEFORE you leave.
Light and Fire Carry flashlights with extra batteries and some fire starting wood. These are generally very light to carry and though you will be using the wood in the forest for your campfire, it is usually damp, so a few dry twigs come in handy.
Miscellaneous A pot to heat food/water, a lightweight stove if you can find one, sunscreen, hat and lots of enthusiasm.
A lot of what I have written applies only to atleast 2-3 overnight trips, for dat treks you can make do without most of the above. Also, in India its easy to plot your trip so that you are staying in villages every night and one can also get porters for longer trips so you can add a few luxuries if you want. Remember trekking in the end is just walking in nature and everyone can walk. Its essential though to time your speed with your fitness and not overexert yourself on a given day. Take a 5-10 minute break every 1-2 hours. If you are just starting out, dont aim for more than 10-12 kms in a day, and as you gain experience and fitness you’ll be able to do even 25 kms on a good day. If you are trekking above 9000 feet(2700 meters), go easy and let your body acclimatize to lowering oxygen in the atmosphere.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: Leave no trace except you footprints in nature. Pack up all the garbage that accumilates and help save the environment!
This is such a vast topic that I am sure I’ve forgotten things so comments and suggestions from fellow MSers are needed!!
Shwetabh.