When working an outdoor leadership course I love taking this class: pack-packing! It can be quite picturesque with everyone’s gear and backpacks laid out to begin with, the subsequent packing in of all paraphernalia, eventually leading to a row of neat, well-balanced packs lining a wall ready to be loaded up on to a bus-top J
A neatly packed, well balanced backpack makes it a joy to walk up and down and around in the mountains. Plus, it prevents injuries that can cause pain or worse, a strained muscle in one’s back at the end of the day.
Before starting to pack stuff in my backpack, I like to lay out my gear in front of me. This ensures that I do not miss out packing anything that I will need out there (see suggested gear-list below).
I like to use a mnemonic that is well-established in the world of hiking, though it has doubled in size from its humble A-B-C beginning! But it certainly makes things simpler for me.
Suggested Gear List for Hiking in the Himalaya
Note: this list is to be modified according to specific requirements of a hike
- Sun hat
- Warm hat (e.g., woollen or fleece)
- Sun glasses (with UV protection)
- Bandana or scarf (recommended)
- Hiking T-shirt, preferably of quick dry material (2)
- Warm jacket (e.g., fleece or woollen)
- Wind shirt
- Warm gloves (e.g., fleece or woollen): 1 or 2 pairs
- Hiking pants (preferably of quick dry material)
- Wind pants (recommended)
- Hiking socks preferably of quick dry material (some prefer two pairs – one thin & one thick)
- “Sleeping socks”: these stay dry, carried along with sleeping bag
- Thermal inners (a.k.a. long johns)
- Undergarments as needed
- Water bottles (2-litre hydration pack or two 1 litre bottles)
- Backpack
- Liner plastic bag for backpack
- Ground mat
- Sleeping bag + stuff sack
- Hiking boots (ankle support preferred; AVOID stiff plastic soles)
- Camp foot wear (closed toe-heel type)
- Rain wear
- Lip balm
- Sun screen lotion
- Tooth brush + tooth paste + comb
- Head lamp or flashlight with fresh cells
- Nail clipper – one or two in the group should suffice
- Camera (optional) + rain protection for camera
- A few plastic bags – for books, used clothing, etc.
- Personal medication (i.e., prescribed meds)
- Note book + pen
- Walking Gaiters (recommended)
Gear common to group:
- Tent
- 1 or 2 water bags / jerry cans Dromedaries (10-litre water bags, for common use)
- “Diggers” – for digging cat-holes (number as per group size)
- First aid kit (for whole group – stays with group leader)
- Hiking-rope – for safety
- Soap, preferably ‘hand-wash variety’ which is to be kept alongside diggers & dromedaries
- Water purification
- Trash bags for trash on camps
