KEDARKANTHA PACKING GUIDE 2021
These are things you should know before you go. We have tried to come up with the list of things we feel are quite essential and shouldn’t be missed out on..
Medicines:
Carry Diamox (Preventive AMS drug) as long as you aren’t allergic to sulfur. You may also carry sniffing camphor tablets as it eases breathing in high altitude passes.
Medicines for a headache, fever, stomach ache, cold and cough syrup and motion sickness may be required by you too.
Also carry any other medicines, specific to your health conditions.
It’s of utmost importance that you’re absolutely fit before taking this trip, as the medical facilities available are scanty and usually not readily available. You must also take care of yourself while on the trip due to the very same reason.
Make sure you consult your family doctor before taking this trip, in case you have the slightest doubt about your fitness & health.
Clothes:
It’s best to wear layers as temperatures can change rapidly in terrains such as these. Hence wear layers, as it’s convenient to add/subtract layers as and when needed.
For Trekking :
Trekking Shoes
Trekking Pants
Fleece layer
Base Layer top
Pair of long & Short Sleeve shirt
Jacket
underwears
Sports Bra
Shorts
Quick dry towel
Poncho in case it rains
Also carry a sweater, gloves, cap (protect head and ears from cold winds), thermals and a winter jacket.
Woolen socks will keep your feet warm.
Comfortable lowers will make your journey a lot better.
Gadgets:
Spare camera batteries: Carry at least one spare set of batteries required by your camera since in cold environment, batteries can die quickly. Also, carry winter-proof casing as it may get extremely cold at night and may damage equipment.
Battery power bank: If you are an avid smartphone user and planning to log your route on your favorite GPS App, then make sure you are carrying a power bank with at least 10000 mAH capacity to keep your mobile phone running throughout the day.
Enough memory cards to last you the entire trip: Doesn’t matter if you are carrying a laptop or planning to burn CDs/DVDs, carry enough memory cards to cover your entire duration. If needed, borrow from friends but don’t depend on laptop HDDs or worse still, virus infested cyber café computers to copy and save your photographs!
Miscellaneous:
LED Torch/Headlamp
Thermos Flask/Bottle–If you’re a tea/coffee lover, this will allow you to sip as you go. Also helps to keep your water warm.
Hiking pole
Eye Mask, Neck Pillow, Light Blanket, Ear Plugs
Book to Read/Board Games/Uno/Playing Cards
Garbage bags for soiled/wet clothes
Body Care:
Lip Balm: Dry and cold weather will make your lips dry, which can get quite painful due to cracking and skin coming off, so make sure to carry a lip balm, glycerin or Vaseline.
UV sunglasses: As mentioned earlier, UV rays at high altitude can be quite damaging and this holds true for eyes as well. So having decent quality UV sunglasses (Fastrack ones are available for as little as Rs. 800) is quite essential, especially if you are traveling early in the season or during winter, when mountain passes have a lot of snow cover and sunlight reflecting from the snow can be even harsher!
Sunscreen lotion: UV rays at high altitude can be quite damaging to the skin, even during the slightest of winter, so don’t forget to carry a good quality sunscreen lotion with a rating of SPF30 or higher. One can apply it a couple of hours before going out under the sun.
Moisturizing Lotion/Mustard Oil: Mustard oil can be used for moisturizing skin, putting it in your hair and for lubricating insides of nostrils, which can become quite dry and painful due to dry and cold winds. Don’t carry coconut oil as it may freeze in the high altitudes.
Eatables & Drinks:
Glucose: Carrying water mixed with Glucon C/D is a good idea while traveling at high altitude, as it provides instant energy on the move. Carry couple of small packs with you, which you can mix in water, at the beginning of the day..
Chocolates, biscuits, dry fruits and nuts: Carrying a couple of chocolates, a pack of biscuits along with dry fruits such as almonds, raisins and cashews is a good idea
Dry fruits provide instant energy and easy snack and don’t take up too much space.
Tip: Carry a Insulated Tiffin especially if you’re on medication so that you can have something packed for during the journey from the previous night’s place of stay.
Water:
Water is the most essential thing while traveling, since dehydration can further complicate health issues at such high altitudes. So make sure you are carrying at least couple of liter of water per person all times and drinking at regular intervals.
Tip: Carry a Thermos as it’s refillable hence environmental friendly and may be doubled up for keeping water warm or cool depending on the place of stay.
Bags:
One big rucksack for clothes. A small one for medicines, tuck and other valuables and gadgets and other personal and body care essentials etc. Waist bags can be very useful and handy. (You could find all these at a reasonable price at a Decathlon Store nearby)
ID Cards : Mandatory to carry a Government approved photo ID Address Proof (i.e. Aadhar/Passport/Voter’s ID/DL and not PAN CARD)
tap to check the useful information
If you’re a foreign national, make sure you’re carrying your valid passport and have informed Tripver about the same, as permissions need to be taken before/while the trip accordingly.
Avoid/Limit your consumption of Alcohol & Smokes as you’re heading towards higher altitudes, to avoid dehydration and uneasiness in breathing.
Sleep & Rest: It’s important to take care of your body and yourself as these trips may take a toll in case you overexert.
Food: Expect reasonably simple food at the places you’re visiting considering their remoteness.
Money: Withdraw money before your journey, Purola is the last point where you will find ATM. (If you want to withdraw money then do it in Dehradun.)
Network Connectivity: There will be no networks during the trek, in Purola your device will receive the networks and at Sankri only Vodafone and BSNL signals are there but you cannot rely on the connectivity because the signal strength is not good. So make sure you finish all your important work and calls before starting of the trek.
Washrooms: During the journey availability and cleanliness may be an issue and although our drivers and Trip Captain’s try to make the stops as per pre-searched or in some cases the best possible judgment, these are some constraints while traveling offbeat.
Let’s keep our hills clean!
Travelers found or observed using offensive language or behavior with other travelers or any person connected to delivering the Tripver experience, under extreme cases may be terminated from the trip by the Trek Leader and blacklisted from subsequent community trips.
This is a journey of your lifetime, it’s our advice that you enjoy this trip not as a tourist but as a traveler.
Hope this helps! Sit back relax and get ready for a memorable trip and a tryst with nature.
Backpack per day cost is Rs 50/-
Hiking Shoes per day cost is Rs 150/-
Padded Jacket per day cost is Rs 100/-
Hiking Pole per day cost is Rs 50/-
Poncho per day cost is Rs 25/-
