Checklist for Every Trek: What to Carry?

Table of Contents

• Backpacking Checklist
• Backpack
• Footwear
• Clothing
• Health & Hygiene
• Accessories
• Travel Documents

Backpacking Checklist

We often carry a lot of things and equipment on a tour thinking that they will come in handy. But they just end up staying in our backpacks, unused, adding to the extra weight. This makes brisk movement with our backpacks on, quite tiring. To avoid that, we have created this guidebook which will help you pack your backpack systematically and carry only necessary and basic things. To make this simpler for you, we have divided the materials into different categories. For a trekking/backpacking expedition in the mountains, here is what all you will need.

 

Backpack

• Backpack With Rain cover (50 to 60 Litres) or Duffle bag (min 70 litres) (For Nepal treks prefer duffle bag)
• Daypack with Rain covers (30 Litres. Mandatory if you are offloading your Backpack)

 

Footwear

• High Ankle Trekking Shoes
• Socks (4 Pairs)
• Woollen Socks (2 Pair)

 

Clothing

• Quick Dry Pants (3)
• Moisture Wicking T-Shirt (3)
• Full Sleeve Fleece (2)
• Warm Insulated Jacket (Down or Synthetic)
• Moisture Wicking Underwear
• Rainwear (Jacket and Pant)
• Warm Hat
• Thermals (1 Pair)
• Fleece pant or insulated Pant
• Wicking, quick-dry sports bra (for women)
• Wind Cheater Jacket

 

Health & Hygiene

• Hand Sanitizer
• Sunscreen
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Toilet Paper/Wipes
• Prescription Medicines
• Prescription Glasses
• Polythene Bags for wet Clothes
• Blister Treatment Supplies
• Energy Food (Bars, gels, trail mix, dry fruits)
• Water Filter/purifier or Chemical treatment (Would highly recommend to buy one LifeStraw bottle)

 

Accessories

• Balaclava
• Waterproof Gloves
• Fleeced Inner Gloves
• Sun Cap/Hat
• Sun Glasses
• Head Lamp (With Extra batteries)
• Trekking Pole (Highly recommended)
• 2 One litre Water Bottles
• Sandals With Straps/Running Shoes
• Quick Dry Towel
• Sleeping Bag and Liner
• Watch with alarm

 

Travel Documents

• Required Tickets
• Identity Proof
• Visa If Applicable
• Travel insurance policy documents
• Valid passport
• Copy of passport (2 copies, first page only)
• Passport photos (4)
• Covid 19 Certificate

 

About the author

Gurdit Singh

Gurdit Singh has been leading treks in the Himalayas for the last 8 years. He has lead more than 100 trek batches in India and Nepal. He loves taking people into mountains and help them connect with nature. Before coming into adventure field, he was working in Accenture as a software consultant. Besides trekking he loves playing tennis and cycling. He has cycled from Chandigarh to Kanyakumari covering almost 3500km. He has done his Basic and Advance Mountaineering Courses and he is qualified Trip Leader and Wilderness First Responder from NOLS.