First Himalayan Trek - Getting ready !!!

Documents :

• YHAI Membership Card
• YHAI trekking Admit Card with Medical Certificate duly signed by doctor
• Passport Size Photos (2 Nos).
• ID Proof (Aadhar)

Travel :

1. Flight tickets to & fro (Book early so you get cheapest tickets)
2. Delhi, base camp Bus Tickets  to & fro (Book via HRTC website, if trek is in Himachal)

Trekking Items :

Backpack (Decathlon 50 Liter Forclaz Grey)

All the trekking backpacks has minimum 2 Kg weight by itself  and comes with a hip belt so they are very comfortable on shoulders as weight is concentrated mainly on our hips. 50 Liters is more than enough for a 10 days trek and maximum recommended weight to be carried on any trek is 6 to 8 Kgs inclusive of food and water supplies. 

This bag has zip opening on the front as well so you don't have to search around for items, just keep it horizontal and open the zip. Orange straps which you see in the front are for locking trekking poles.

Rain cover for large Backpack (Decathlon) 

Helps to protect our bag from unexpected rains and snow falls. If you are buying a poncho then you can wear it on top of the bag as well so this cover may not be required. Please make sure to buy the size suitable for your bag - larger size.

Small backpack (Decathlon)

Always carry a small 10 L backpack for the situations where we decide to give off our luggage to porters. This will help us to carry only our necessities till next camp.

Quechua Forclaz shoes (Decathlon) 

This shoe is heavy but has amazing grip which gives a lot of confidence. So buy and practice walking around in them at-least a month or two before you use them in trek. I added a Gel sole from Decathlon as the sole which comes along with the shoes was giving me heal pain.

Hiking Sandal (Decathlon) 

These sandals are light weight ones and straps can be adjusted at both front and rear. Back strap helps a lot than the normal slippers as it gives good grip in campsites covered with snow or muddy waters due to unexpected rains. Must for our feet's to relieve and get comfort after a long trek, being jailed inside trekking shoes. 

Gaiters (Decathlon)

If we are going through snow or water, this will prevent them to entering into your shoes. I have used them many times now and it did help. Not mandatory.

Crampons (Any company)

Best for snow trekking, didn't get any chance to use mine as I just bought them recently. I always had trouble walking on snow so hoping that this will help. Not mandatory.

High Upper Hiking Socks (Decathlon) 

3 Pairs -These socks stays well for 3 days and keeps your feet dry and without any odor. This also had thick material on both sides so really helpful in preventing blisters. I never got blisters during either of my treks so I guess they are working.

They have stayed with me for more than 3 years ,many treks and still looks as good so worth the money.

Snow Hiking Socks (Decathlon) 

2 Pairs -I used them while sleeping or at camp, not during trek. They were okay not that great in extremely cold weather but more like something to wear clean after trek. If you have good woolen socks (handmade ones), that may be the best option.

Poncho 

Actually Poncho can cover us along with a 50 Liter bag too. So Rain cover for backpack can be ignored. These poncho's are easier to wear but not so easy to walk around when we have heavy winds and it tends to come up till our face and block our eyes, so may be an extra pin to hold it on both ends may help (already hooks are there at either ends but it didn't help me during Chanderkhani trek)

Hiking, Front Open Fleece Jacket  (Decathlon)

You get half open ones for lesser price but I found full open ones for the ease of use. This is the jacket we normally use throughout trekking as its light weight and helpful in guarding off unwanted cold/harsh winds.

Hiking, Down Jacket (Decathlon) 

Few camps, you really need these to survive the cold. Even with this and all layers, I was still freezing at night.

Full sleeve Quick Dry T Shirts (Performax)

Always carry 2/3 Pairs as we will be changing clothes once in 3 days for a 8 to 10 day trip- Full sleeve is best as sun is really harsh and quick dry helps to prevent odor. I always prefer Performax shirts, they are more thicker than Decathlon ones and doesn't stick to body, so more comfortable.

If you don't prefer full sleeve T-shirts then get running sleeves from any sports shop so whenever required you can put it to cover the hands. Make sure that it's made of similar quick dry material as well.

Nature Hiking Trousers - 2 pairs (Decathlon) 

Low priced hiking pants available and is quick dry too.

Ultra Warm Snow Hiking Trousers - 1 pair (Decathlon) 

It has a fleece layer inside and it did help me a lot during my snow slide and at the higher camps. Better to plan to wear it only during summit climbs where temperatures are extreme. Other days, our normal trekking pants are enough to withstand the temperature.

Mountain Hiking Trousers - 1 Pair(Decathlon) 

Best trekking pants ever available, its like second skin, very comfortable and quick dry.

Thermals -Top & Bottom (Decathlon) 

Mandatory to wear at night. Once back at each campsite, I used to clean myself by bed bath wipes to remove sweat and then change into these comfortable thermals along with the fleece jacket. 

Please purchase the ski recommended thermals as the thermals (low priced) doesn't stay good after washing and could use it only for one trek, so would recommend these can be reused as many times as required.

Balaclava (Decathlon) 

Best to be used at night and also at summit day climb. I was not feeling comfortable wearing it but it really keeps head and face warm. 

Neck Warmer (Decathlon) 

I never used it as was not feeling comfortable but  this would have helped a lot to keep neck warm. If you have a Balaclava then this is not mandatory as Balaclava has the neck covering as well.

Trekking Cap with neck protection (decathlon) 

This has a removable flap to cover the neck part and very useful throughout the trek.

Small Quick Dry Towel (Decathlon) 

For sweat or useful when you are taking bath(not recommended) at the base campsite . These are quick dry and get the small one so it acts like a multipurpose towel.

Waterproof Gloves - Must 

This is must and helpful during rains/snow. Inside layer is fleece so keeps hands warm and protected. We normally use them during Summit day but during Chanderkhani trek, we had 3 days of snow, so I used them throughout.

Trekking Pole (Decathlon Forclaz 500 Light Blue)

I find it as a mandatory requirement as these supports your knees during descends and also helps a lot in ascends to balance yourself. Its like a third leg. The one I bought from Decathlon stopped working (screw got stuck) during my first trek and Decathlon guys replaced it without any problems. That is one more reason I love Decathlon products as its value for money and never found issues with any products except this one of a case problem.

You can buy rubber covers for the stick ends (not mandatory). Snow ends (round ones shown in picture) comes along with the stick itself. Attach them before you go for the trek as they help to hold the stick firmly on snow areas.

Sunglasses with strap (Decathlon - Cat 4 category) 

To remove the glares from harsh sun. Cat 3 & above is required. Strap helps it to keep in place.

Head Lamp (Decathlon) 

Useful for toilet visits as all setups will be far from campsite with no electricity. It also helps during the early morning summit hike. Best part is you can fix them on head and leave all worries.

Aluminum Mug (Decathlon) 

This was big enough and light weight too. Good for soup, tea or juice served at camps. Aluminum has the capability to retain the heat so might help to keep your tea hotter for a little more time.

Folding spoon (Decathlon)

I somehow believe that using hands to eat food creates issues like loose motion. So best is have only rice and with spoon or always use hand sanitizer. This folding spoon was not great but it served its purpose.

Aluminum Hiking bottle 1L (Decathlon Quechua) 

Better than plastic as it doesn't react with water. Also these are light weight. Carried 2 of them. But its always difficult to take out bottle mid of a trek so am planning to purchase trekking bladder. They have a pipe which hangs out and whenever we need water, we can sip in. No need to stop some where.

Sunscreen 

Any sunscreen with SPF 50 and above is good, but I found Lotus Professional Phyto Rx Ultra Protect SPF 70 to be really good. Just recently saw that they have a variant for sports too with same SPF. 

Sunscreen is a must, I skipped using it during my Sarpass trek after 2 to 3 days and suffered sun burns which healed after months, my skin was peeling out like hell. Whoever used sunscreen diligently never faced any issue. So don't forget, it's a necessity.

Candid Dusting Powder

As we won't be taking bath for days, this helps for controlling the sweat and all fungal infections. It can be applied on body as well as under foot. Never had any skin issues, so assuming this helped.

Toilet Roll (Small) or 20 Tissue Papers

Mainly used for cleaning our tiffin boxes as they will start smelling after few days. So keeping them dry makes the situation better.

Paper Soap Strips 

Must, you should always wash your hands with them once you are back at campsite and its also used for cleaning your utensils. I even used it for washing my face as I didn't carry facewash. So it's a multi use utility.

Paste, Brush & Mouth Wash 

In higher camps, water is cold so you may have to use only mouth wash.

Hand Sanitizer

Must, always before having food or after toilet use.

Baby Wipes 

20's pack (for toilet purpose in higher camps). We have water in all camps except few camps at the peak attitudes so these are extremely useful.

Bed Bath towel (Ginni)

Got a 10's pack and I used them for cleaning body after the trek. It is bigger than baby wipes with disinfectant properties. This one is not mandatory but really helpful to help to get a good night sleep.

Shampoo towel (Ginni)

Useful for cleaning hair after each days trip. Helps us a lot in feeling fresh. This one is also not mandatory but really helpful to help to get a good night sleep after an extremely tiring trek.

Daily liners

For women, these are god sent. Keeps us feel better when we are not able to change or clean during treks. They absorb the moisture and keeps us fresh and clean till the next camp site. Carry the no's required as per the trek days. They keep our panties clean for a longer while, which are a necessity during treks.

Vaseline 

After trek, I used to clean sweat using body bath towels, then apply Vaseline, skin gets extremely dry at high altitudes.

Lip balm 

Lips gets dry often. I used Sebamed Lip Defense Stick SPF 30. In high altitude they are just helpers, still you will find your lips getting dry and no other solution. 

Deodorant 

Must if you want to feel good about yourself as 10 days you are out of bath. This pack is light weight and has crème like consistency for ease of application. I used to apply it in the mornings just before trek.

Tiffin Box 

Medium light weight ones, best is steel as we can clean it up easily but it might be heavy. Plastic ones smells bad after few days.

Ziploc pouches to store all the items separately

All my items were inside Ziploc pouches and this helped me a lot when I fell into river by accident. Only bag got wet and rest of all the items were safe. 

Power bank 

mandatory incase if you are planning to take pics. Also keep them wrapped in woolen socks as charge drains of quickly in cold weather. Also these has to be put in cabin luggage if you are taking flight to reach Delhi.

Whistle (Decathlon)

 Useful when in trouble.

Basic Medicines :

Medicines are also available with camp leader so don't carry a lot. I got mild AMS and was suffering from diarrhoea till almost end of the trek. So Diamox and Norflaz are very important.

1. Diamox (AMS) - 10 Nos - Mandatory, start taking the tablets from Day 3 onwards so you reduce the chance of AMS.
2. Crocin (Fever) - 4
3. Avomin (Motion Sickness) -4
4. Combiflam (Pain Killer) -4
5. Dispirin (Headache) - 4
6. Norflaz Tz (Diahorrea) - 5
7. Band-Aids -2
8. ORS - 10 Packets 
9. Moov Cream

Some useful Info :

1. After you book for the trek, you get minimum 6 months to get ready with the items. So watch out for some amazing deals on Decathlon online site. You get even best down jackets for less than half the price.
2. You get almost all trekking items from Manikaran market, local brand though. Kasol market is very expensive.
3. Lots of medical shops too around.
4. Good woollen sweaters/items are available in Manikaran for very cheap rates.
5. For hot water bath, either go to hot springs near Manikaran /Forest Department Office close by Kasol Market for 50 Rs/ from behind YHAI camp, you get for 30 Rs per bucket.
6. Keep change/cash during trek as you get tea points and lunch points en route all camps. Though we had packet lunch from YHAI, many skipped it and went for  hot Maggie, Omlette and Juice. All items are expensive based on the altitude you are in. Once you descend, price too decreases.I was mostly surviving on my packed lunch as I didn't want to waste food as well as was on tight budget too.

Exercise links useful for Himalayan Treks :

10 Best Exercises To Increase Lung Capacity
How To Prepare For A Trek, The Physical Endurance

Trek Fitness Guide for Himalayan High Altitude Treks by Indiahikes

Trek The Himalayas- Fitness Guide