Trekking always has something enthralling about it.
Walking on a trail surrounded by pristine nature, snow-capped mountains, lush
green meadows, wild forest, barren land and the places you have never been
before, all of this is so alluring. But to experience this thrilling beauty,
one has to be fully equipped to withstand danger and difficulties it offers. So
perfect travel partners are the foremost requirement before going to any trek.
1) Backpack
The Backpack is something that can make or break
your trip. It’s the most important thing in the life of a mountaineer. Backpack
is the only thing that tags along with you in your every adventure like a
silent friend that always has your back. The bond of a mountaineer with the
backpack is pretty unique. You love it as well as curse it. It becomes your
home and has everything you need for your survival. You love it for its utility
but when it gets taxing, you start cursing it. No matter how much you curse it,
at the end of the day you know it’s the only trusted companion you have when
you spend days together at high altitude. So, choose your companion wisely!!
2. Books
Books are the man’s best friend. Even if you won’t
talk to it for years, it would accept you the same way. Books take away all
your miseries, all your sorrows and take you to the world of happiness where
you start believing in yourself. It acts as a mirror to show the real
reflection of you. You get to know yourself better and start believing in doing
impossible. The more you read, the more you know. The more you know, the more
places you go. A person can never be alone if he has a company of books. Books
are the quietest and the most constant of friends. Especially during travel, books
provide you the best companionship anyone can have. If you want to have a great
travel partner, take a book along and you will be travelling with your favorite people.
3. Shoes
The 3rd and the most important travel partner are
your shoes. They help you walk safely, comfortably and confidently on a
difficult terrain, protect you from cold, keep your feet dry and save you from
any injury. They are the most important thing to think for and plan for before
heading to any trek. If your shoes betray you on your trek, it’s a waste of all
the physical effort you put behind the trek, a complete heart breaker.
Understanding your shoes is very important. So be sure of your trekking shoes.
4. Tent/ Camp
Tent is the 4th travel buddy. It’s like
your home there and nothing can be more important that a home. Always check for
weight and comfort while selecting a tent. You should have proper space to
sleep comfy and it shouldn’t weight much as you need to carry it all along your
trek.
The sleeping mattress is your bed and sleeping bag
is your blanket. Check the weather report of the place you are going and take
the sleeping bag accordingly. You don’t want to feel cold and fall sick at
higher altitudes.
Pitching a tent is equally important. It is one of
the most satisfying moments of life. It is earthy, soul enriching and character
building. Carrying a tent on your back during a hike is always an arduous task
but it’s all worth taking the pain when you finally pitch your tent. It gives
you confidence; it gives you flexibility and it gives you freedom to stay
wherever you want. But always keep in mind 5 thumb rules before pitching a tent.
1)
Choose flat ground
2)
Avoid sloppy areas on a hill
3)
Consider sun and wind exposure
4)
Be close to water
5)
Don’t leave your mark on the land, Be a responsible trekker
5. Hunger pangs of the camps
You have gathered all camping equipment – Camp,
sleeping bag, mattress, backpack, trekking shoes, sticks, clothes everything,
still you couldn’t go for a solo trek because you weren’t sure of food. You
didn’t know if you will get anything to eat there. Does it happen with you?? It
happened with me many times and I have come up with some food options you can
take along for a 3-4 days trek if you don’t want to carry cooking tools and
don’t want to cook. But trust me cooking while camping is one of the best
things to do in treks.
For popular treks:
1) You always find some food shops till
the base camp of almost all popular treks which provides basic foods like
Maggi, Daal Rice and Omelette and you can easily survive. For off-season you
may not find these shops open.
2) Always carry protein bars, chocolates
and energy drinks in case of emergency.
For off-beat treks and off-season treks:
1)
Bread, Butter and Jam. Bakery bread can
easily last for 2-3 days, soft bread for 4-5 days and breadcrumbs much longer.
2)
Carry ready to eat food like Maggi,
Poha, Upma etc. You just need hot water to make them ready.
3)
Fruits, onion, tomato, cucumber, olive
and capsicum etc. - you can easily make sandwiches with them.
4)
Biscuits and rusks to eat in between
meals.
5)
Coffee pouches and tea bags are always
must to carry to enjoy a refreshing sip over hills.
Happy Trekking!
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