All of us meticulously plan for our travel, be it to another country or simply to the mountains surrounding our home area. However, in the excitement of the journey, most of us invariably forget one important thing or the other. Sometimes such forgetfulness only throws a wrench into what we wanted to be an impeccable experience. But sometimes, especially when the purpose of a trip is specifically to hike or trek, forgetting something important is not only unpleasant but it can also be outright dangerous. To avoid getting into such a situation, here is a list of ten essentials to carry on your next trekking trip.
Water bottle: When you are walking miles and miles on foot, you are bound to lose water in sweat and also become dehydrated due to strenuous exercise. However, if you are trekking in a colder area, you might not even realize that you are thirsty before you are already severely dehydrated. At such times, if you are lucky there will be a small tuck shop around, but it is always better to not risk it. Always keep a water bottle handy, remember to regularly drink water, and refill the bottle whenever you get the chance to do so as well.
Snacks: Just like you are bound to lose water while trekking, your body will also need to replenish the energy that you will be burning up. Here again, the excitement of the journey or the beautiful scenery around you might be enough to keep you distracted from hunger pangs until you are almost starving. It is advisable to keep some dry fruits, a couple of chocolates, and preferably some energy bars with you. Avoid eating spicy foods, such as chips or chili snacks, as they will make you feel thirstier and might also hinder your general energy levels while trekking.
Sunscreen: The third in list of absolutely necessary items for trekking is sunscreen, especially if you are trekking in a sunny area. Forgetting your umbrella during rain will not do half as much damage as forgetting sunscreen or a sun-block while trekking in sunny weather. The intensity of the sun can be much stronger in open mountainous regions and can also impact you much more with long exposure. Carry a lip balm with you to protect your lips too while sunscreen is keeping your skin safe.
Waterproof trekking shoes: This might be the most common mistake made by trekkers worldwide. Keep in mind that the comfortable sneakers that you use for your morning walks on your plain streets are simply not suitable for trekking on rough surfaces. Besides, if it starts to rain while you are trekking or you just find yourself in a waterlogged squelchy area, those sneakers will be good for nothing. Invest in a good pair of waterproof shoes made for trekking purposes and remember to pack them for your trip.
Trekking trousers: It is not just about keeping you comfortable while you are doing the physical strenuous activity of trekking, but also to protect your legs from getting chafed and your upper body from getting too sweaty or burning up due to wrong fabric. Specialized trekking gear – such as pants with built-in gaiters for snow protection or quick-dry cloth for rainy areas etc. – can do wonders in keeping your trekking trip joyful and preventing any skin rashes or allergies.
Raincoat or backpack with Rain-cover: Just like your shoes need to be good enough to protect you from wet ground, you also need a cover for yourself and your precious items that you are carrying in your backpack. Remember to pack a raincoat for yourself, or even better if your backpack has a built-in rain-cover that can keep you and your stuff safe and is easily retrievable at the same time.
Walking pole: For a newbie at trekking, this might sound funny but ask anyone who is experienced with trekking and they will tell you how indispensible a walking stick is while trekking. Sometimes, trip organizers provide you with such gear, but again it is better to take one along yourself rather than risking it and then finding yourself at a steep trek and unable to hold onto anything for comfortably moving ahead.
Hand held massager: Trekking is a strenuous physical activity and even experienced tekkers may find their muscles sore and with knots after a pleasurable yet long walk. What good is a multiple-day trekking trip if you wake up on the second day with leg muscles so sore that you cannot enjoy trekking any further, not to mention the potential backache or sore arm muscles with all the load you will be carrying. A simple solution to avoid your trekking trip from getting ruined due to pain and tiredness is to pack a Vybe percussion gun. Once you return back to your camp or hotel after trekking, a simple 15 minutes massage will not only help you with excellent deep sleep but your muscles will be good as new the next day again.
Head torch or a flashlight: If there is a chance that it might get dark before you can return to your camp or a safe place from your trekking tour, a head torch or a flashlight can prove to be a lifesaver. Nowadays there are several interesting and easy to use alternatives available to the regular heavy torches as well. One excellent example can be the Luminoodle Plus USB light rope by Power Practical. It is literally a luminous rope that comes with a battery and you can use this as a flashlight, wrap it around your bag to keep an eye on it and even extend it to throw light on a much wider area than a regular flashlight.
Lighter: While trekking you never know when you will need a fire source to light up a fire to keep you warm, to make a quick dinner, or simply to light a dry tree branch to ward off wild animals. Fire is not only a source of warmth, but it can also be an emergency light. Just as you can get the most suitable trekking light from Power Practical, you can also get a Sparkr Mini Electric Lighter from them. It combines light and fire in one tool and fits easily even in a small pocket.
Hand sanitizer: This one should go without saying, since there is always a chance of tripping or falling while trekking or even getting bitten by a mosquito or another bug. Likewise, you might be touching your camera, walking stick, or a whole bunch or other stuff that cannot be said to be mud-free or germ-free. Before eating anything, try to wash your hands and then sanitize them. Also avoid touching your eyes or face even if you have a hand sanitizer with you.