Essentials for Trekking!
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The document lists essential items to bring for trekking, including: hiking boots or shoes, matches or lighter, compass or map, flashlight or headlamp, emergency food ration, sunscreen and insect repellent, first aid kit, waterproof bag, water or sports drinks, tent or tarp, ropes or bungee cords, whistle, and knife. Proper footwear, ways to start a fire, navigation, light sources, food, protection from sun/insects, medical supplies, dry storage, hydration, shelter, cordage, signaling device, and a multipurpose tool are all important basics for a safe and comfortable trek.
Essentials for Trekking!
- 1. Essentials for trekking The experience of adventure is wholesome, satisfying and safe when you have all the essentials with you. Here are a few tips on the ‘must carry things’ for a trek. Happy trekking!!
- 2. Hiking Boots or Quality Walking Shoes Picking the right footwear for hiking is essential. Sandals are best suited for warm weather hikes on easy terrain. Hiking on tough terrain calls for wearing durable, shock absorbing heavy boots. Ankle length shoes can be worn for support, while spiked footwear gives good grip. Fits & comfort is key.
- 3. Matches/Disposable Lighter Make sure to waterproof matches using turpentine, nail polish or even a candle before putting them into a waterproof container. A waterproof lighter is ideal for campers as it makes fire building easy in any weather, at any altitude. Fire can be a source of light, heat & comfort at night. The smoke & heat will chase away insects & wild animals too.
- 4. Compass or Map A cell phone is useful for emergencies, but range, reception & recharging can cause problems. Carry a compass or make one with readily available material. Magnetise a needle by rubbing silk on it. Put some oil onto it so that it floats on water. Remember, it points towards the South if you are in the Northern hemisphere & vice-versa!
- 5. Flashlight/Headlamp When it gets dark, a small flashlight or a headlamp will help you find your way around. Leaving your hands free while hiking at night can quickly change from a luxury to a necessity with surprising speed. Headlamps are essential for most backpackers.
- 6. Emergency Ration Not good at hunting or identifying edible plants? Carry food supplies. Ensure to carry an extra days’ worth. If you get lost or delayed, this food can be vital. Carry bars of chocolate as they give energy & can be kept without spoiling. Biscuits, soup powder, tea bags, coffee sachets are also very important. Carry these in a metal mug which can be used for drinking, boiling water, cooking the soup etc.
- 7. Sunscreen and Insect Repellent Sunlight can damage skin and cause dehydration which makes sunscreen extremely essential. Also, make sure you drink a lot of water. In case you get wet, make sure you are carrying an extra pair of dry shoes/socks in order to prevent sores and infection.
- 8. First Aid A small, personal-sized first aid kit is a must for hikes. Carry a roll of duct or athletic tape, blister pads, a small knife etc. A pair of gloves will protect you while giving first aid to your companions. A pepper spray will be handy if attacked by an animal!
- 9. Waterproof Bag Pack your First Aid kit, cell phone, camera, food ration etc. in waterproof punches to keep moisture from getting at them. If you know you are going to encounter water bodies or rainy weather, carry extra plastic bags or pouches to separate your wet clothes. Pack everything in separate pouches for ease of access.
- 10. Water or Sports Drink A water bladder with a valve is important, but you will need an old fashioned water bottle as well, for adding drink mixes and refilling without emptying half your pack. Moderate activity in a moderate climate requires 2 litres of drinking water per day. Some of the sturdiest, lightest weight bottles are recycled energy-drink bottles.
- 11. A Tent or Tarp A tent is handy in every kind of terrain. In a desert, it can keep you safe from the cold night air & protect you from the harsh, unforgiving sun. In a jungle, it will help keep out insects & the rain. Since they come in a variety of sizes—from 1 to 3 person tents, carrying it in turns will help keep the load off one person. Another essential is sleeping bag- concise, compact & useful!
- 12. Ropes or Bungee Cords While trekking in regions with predators such as bears, using ropes & bungee cords to hang your food/toiletries a couple of feet up in a tree or off the edge of a cliff is very important to prevent wildlife, primarily monkeys, from making a buffet of your rations. It can also replace broken straps on your pack, compress your sleeping bag, tent or be used as a makeshift clothesline.
- 13. Whistle Blowing a whistle to get attention is better as well as more convenient and effective than shouting as it uses less effort. The sound from the whistle also travels further. The loud shrill from the whistle can also startle and scare away animals which may be close or approaching you. And if you can get a whistle with a compass, nothing like it!
- 14. Knife A knife is one of those "essentials" you need to take on any hiking or camping trip. Most of the time they get used for slicing dinner ingredients, or maybe cutting off a length of cord for a laundry line. When things go wrong you may need your knife to help you build a shelter, hunt or fix your gear.
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