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7 Essentials For Your First Trekking Adventure
When you are planning to go trekking, the packing list is an integral part of your preparation. The right gear will make sure that you have everything you need for your trip and can enjoy yourself without worries. That said, here is a list of what we believe should be on every packer’s checklist when they are preparing for their first trekking adventure!
1. First aid kit
The most important thing to pack for any adventure is a first aid kit. Your health and safety should be your number one priority, so make sure that you have all the necessary medicine in case of an emergency. For example, suppose you’re hiking at altitude (where there is less oxygen). In that case, it will be important to bring some sort of painkiller for headache relief medication such as aspirin or paracetamol. You can buy these over-the-counter medications from most pharmacies but they are very cheap on Amazon, so we recommend getting them online before you travel.
Also, don’t forget about any medication (i.e., inhaler) that you might need for an emergency situation like altitude sickness, heart problems, etc. You can even have some extra supplies in your first aid kit in case you need them, whether it be the best 18650 battery for flashlight or an extra hat if someone needs it.
Another thing we would suggest bringing with you on your trekking trip is insect repellent because bugs like mosquitoes and flies carry many dangers! If possible, try not to bring DEET-based repellents because they are toxic to animals and humans, including children.
2. Water or water filter
When you are travelling, it is very important to stay hydrated. This means that you will need either a water bottle or some form of water filter so that you can drink safe and clean drinking water when available. We recommend bringing both for your trip because the weather changes unexpectedly, then sometimes tap water is all that’s available. Without water, dehydration starts to set in pretty quickly and literally nothing good can come of that. So rather be safe than sorry – stay hydrated and don’t drink any water if you aren’t entirely sure that it’s safe to consume!
3. Rain jacket
As we mentioned above, the weather can change quickly in Nepal, and you need to make sure that your rain jacket is packed. Even if it doesn’t look like it will be raining, pack a lightweight waterproof shell because even high up on mountains, there are often unpredictable storms that could ruin your adventure before you’ve started!
An excellent way to stay dry while trekking is by wearing merino wool clothing – not only does this wick away moisture from the skin (which helps avoid chafing), but its natural anti-bacterial properties mean that it won’t smell as bad as other fabrics after days of wear without washing!
Another thing about climbing mountains with an elevation gain of more than 1000 meters: take care of your body and make sure that you don’t get altitude sickness! This can happen if the blood oxygen levels drop to a dangerous level, which is why it would be recommended bringing some sort of medicine like Diamox with you on your trekking adventure.
4. Snacks
Make sure that you have some snacks packed in your pack. You might need a pick-me-up during the day or something to help with altitude sickness if it’s an issue for you! It would be best if you brought dried fruit and nuts – this way, they won’t go bad while travelling (you can also buy them locally when needed). Light snacks can keep your energy levels up when you need to be on the top of your game and prevent your blood pressure from dropping. When this happens, one can start to experience a feeling of lightheadedness or extreme fatigue, which is never useful when trekking up a mountain!
5. Hat and sunscreen
When you are out in the sun, make sure that your skin is protected by wearing a hat and sunscreen. The high altitude of many mountains can reflect sunlight even more than at sea level, so it’s essential to protect yourself from both cold winds and harsh UV rays!
Another thing that would be great to bring with you on any adventure is sunglasses – these will help block some excess light reflection when trekking under bright conditions. Not only do they look cool, but they’ll also help keep bugs and dirt away from your eyes while roaming around the wilderness.
Even though you don’t plan on spending all your time in the sun, make sure that your lips are protected from UV rays because nobody wants chapping and cracked skin. This can be especially true for those who have allergies or sensitive skin, so being prepared beforehand will prevent problems!
6. Communication Radio
If you are trekking in a group, it’s always good to have a communication radio with spare batteries. This way, if anything goes wrong or someone gets hurt, other team members can be alerted and come help out! Although this is more common sense than actual advice from experts, be sure that bringing a two-way radio along on your trip could save your life someday – so why not do it?
7 . Walking stick
A walking stick can be useful on a trip like this because it will help with balance and stop you from slipping if the terrain gets too wet. Besides helping you keep your footing, consider bringing it along so that other people who are having trouble don’t have to go without one. It’s always better to bring something rather than nothing after all!
By utilizing the above tips, you’ll be all set and ready to go on your first trekking adventure. Outdoor trips such as these are what revitalizes a person and makes you feel like you have a new lease on life, which is why being prepared only increases the chances of everything going smoothly! After all, at the end of the day, these memories are going to last forever and you want to look back on them with nothing but fondness and nostalgia.
