Let me guess. You're a week away from a trek that you planned to go for and it suddenly struck you, "Do I have the right gear for a trek?". But more importantly, what IS the right gear for a trek? Or probably you're one of the meticulous planners who likes to have each detail down and is making their shopping list well in advance (maybe you could teach me about that, capeesh?). So, boys and girls, before you crib about your dilemma to your mom who then scolds you for being ill-prepared, let me intervene and present you with a handy packing guide. Because when you are busy day-dreaming about your next great adventure, ah I guess you'd like to avoid mom's wrath!
How To Pick The Right Kind Of Gear For Your Trek
First things first, every trek would come with its specifics and you need to address those. Meet your two new friends - weather and terrain! The two of them would play a key role in determining what sort of gear you should go for. For instance, don't just buy any trekking shoes, understand what kind are suitable for your trek. A snowy one would do better with a longer boot-like length or even fur lining to keep your feet nice and toasty. Meanwhile, a monsoon trek would require something that has greater water resistance. This is a factor that applies to jackets, caps, etc. almost everything. Read up about the trek you are headed for, what weather you may encounter and what trails you shall be gallivanting about to make a pick that is suitable for you.
A List Of Trek Essentials
Without getting into the particulars of your specific trek, here are some general items that I have found particularly helpful in my experience as a trip leader.
1. Dri Fit Pants
From: Decathlon
Cost: Rs. 1,200
It was the month of February, we'd just made our way to Chopta Tungnath. I pulled out a now cold packed parantha from my backpack, sitting down to relish it just as I'd relish the panoramic view. The temple adorned with snow, the trees that loomed above, the peaks in the backdrop, it was... uncomfortable because my calves were too cold! Dramatic? I know. But I absolutely love and recommend gaiters. They act as an extra layer of protection going from your ankle to your knees and fight off the cold demons from charging upon your skin! So, in case your inner Tarzan comes out and wishes to run upon snowy meadows, climb upon patches without clear paths and do as you please, then you better have these.
While the expenditure on shoes would be subjective to what's comfortable for you, gaiters are something that I'd recommend you to shell out those 1,000 bucks for (It's just one less visit to your favourite cafe, folks!). When you're putting in your blood and sweat to earn the joy of laying your eyes on snow-clad treasures up close, I sincerely hope that nothing pops that bubble of joy for you.
4. Trekking Pole
From: Decathlon or rent shops (if available on a trek)
Cost: Rs.800 (to purchase) or Rs.100 (to rent)
Remember that boy in school who'd crack a joke on everything? From the teachers to the students to what the textbook said, the class clown had a comment on everything. I can hear him speaking right now, going, "Grandmaaa". Firstly, my grandmother is a total cutie, so, no complaints there. Secondly, don't be someone who thinks that a pole somehow reflects on your being unfit or old. You know what it does reflect? That you treat yourself right!
The first time someone had recommended one to me I too brushed it aside thinking, nah, I don't need one. However, when I actually used it myself I realized the amount of support it can offer to you. It's a key tool for balancing your weight which your adrenaline junkie self may not need on the first day but your tired body will hungrily seek it by the next day. Use a pole to pull yourself up and put your weight on it during standing breaks. It's the sigh of relief that you can actually pack and carry with you! As you know, in the words of the ahh great poet, Major Lazer, "All you need is somebody to lean on!"
5. Jacket
From: Wildcraft
Cost: Rs. 2,999
If the mountains are calling and you must go, then so must your jacket! Seems pretty obvious, doesn't it? And, yet I see a number of people turning up with sweatshirts. My dear fernweh driven folks, a sweatshirt won't do the job of a jacket. Unexpected rainfall, snowfall and well, pretty much any weather change can occur faster than a new trending meme! While a sweatshirt may keep you cozy and warm, if the weather changes it's not going to the job.
Whether you need a down jacket or a padded one, a windcheater or ultra layered one, these are decisions to be taken by factoring in the weather of wherever you're headed. However, always make sure to get something that is waterproof (yes, jackets unlike shoes can actually be waterproof!) so that no matter what the Weather Goddess throws your way, your heart remains warm enough to muster up some love for her. I'd also like to add that if you're trekking anywhere in Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand, then irrespective of the month make sure to carry a jacket with you. Even in the scorching heat just pull a Shah Rukh Khan and tie it around your waist, no one's judging you! Or if they are, they'll know better when you're enjoying the starlit night without shivering and going, "Brrr".
Other essentials:
- raincoat
- cap
- gloves
- sunglasses
And, lots more need to be decided looking at the specific trek you're headed to.
Do I Actually Need All This?
A lot of avid trekkers take on their adventures without a number of these things and that's fine too. However, if in your past treks you've felt a little uncomfortable then try these, if you're someone who feels more at ease by being well-prepared, then take these things along. To whomsoever the travel bug has bitten, these items are not a one off purchase but an investment in a wanderer's dreams.
Make yourself as comfortable as you can so that your heart and soul can spend their time laughing into the depths of the valley, having those conversations that tug at something within you around bonfires, gazing upon the artistry that had beckoned you and surrender to the experience.
Do you love Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani? Me too! But don't let your favourite movie lead you to believe that Lara Aunty or Topper Naina had it right. A trek is hardly the place for you to strut the results of your leg workout in a pair of shorts. Not because our dear old society may deem it un-ladylike (ugh.) but for your own protection. Leeches too like going on hikes and sometimes that hike can be up your leg! (Fun fact - I once found 7 leeches on my legs during a trek). Plus even if yours isn't a very tropical region, you will still be navigating your feet from amidst trees, shrubs and rocks, all of whom can at any point gift you the souvenir of scratches which I'm guessing we'd all like to avoid.
Now a lot of people would say that they trek in jeans very comfortably and while that may hold true, I've observed that jeans work okay for a single day trek but if you are headed for a week long affair then the material constricts your muscles over the course of time. Plus in case you encounter rainfall or snow, jeans will take ages to dry, thus, ruining your time to soak in the view by leaving you soaked instead!
Solution? Dri-fit pants. These are made with a breathable material, so, neither do the pants uncomfortably cling onto your skin nor do they remain wet for very long. Their fabric ensures that they dry up more quickly than others, so, weather trouble isn't a trouble for you. Plus it has a good resistance and won't scratch or tear easily. Lastly, ladies, someone sure heard all our pleas because this particular pair that you see me wearing in the picture came with plenty of pockets!
2. Trekking Shoes
From: Decathlon
Cost: Rs. 2,999
I can already hear some of you saying, "But I have good sports shoes". Fair enough. However, if you look closely you'll realize that trekking shoes come with a lot more, making the trek as much a treat for your feet as it is for the eyes. And, let's face it, they are the ones doing the maximum work! Trekking shoes come with a sole fitted with grooves to give you a better grip. Their material protects your feet to a great extent. And, no, I don't mean just for us clumsy ones who're capable of bumping and slipping anywhere. Oops! Even if you're as graceful as a swan, the day in day out walk for a trek spreading over a few days will see you walk a considerable distance and the rocky patches can start to cause a not so pleasant tingling sensation at the base of your feet. Want to trek with lesser aches? Good shoes ought be your soulmate!
Shoes can start from Rs.2,000 and go as high as Rs.8,000, so, depending on your budget you can make your pick from Decathlon, Wildcraft, etc. Also, there aren't "waterproof" shoes, nothing is full proof. But there are water resistant shoes that can certainly keep your feet drier for a longer amount of time. Plus if your shoes get wet in the middle of a winter trek, then unless a genie appears to pop out a sauna for you, good luck getting them to dry up. So, choose wisely, my friend, this isn't the time to take the "road less taken"!
3. Gaiters
From: Decathlon
Cost: Rs. 1,000