1. Backpack (60 - 65 L) with sturdy straps and supporting frame.

2. Trekking shoes – no tennis shoes please. You need traction on snow and sport shoes with their PVC soles are hardly the choice. Ensure the shoes are well broken in before the trek. Forclaz 500 and Woodland are good choices.

3. Ladies with smaller feet size find it a problem to get a similar shoe. Forclaz 500 has special trekking shoes for women. Power/Addidas/Reebok have sport shoes with deeper treads. Look for them in the bigger stores.

4. 3 pair of track/trek pants (quick-dry kinds). Or 3 pair of cotton pants with lots of pockets. Track/trek pants are light and we highly endorse them. Plus when things get cold you can wear one over the other.

5. 3 tees with collar. Preferably full sleeves.

6. 2 Full sleeves sweater (not too thick).

7. A full sleeves fleece jacket.

8. A full sleeve thick jacket or something similar.

9. 1 pair of thermal inners but optional.

10. 4-5 pair of usual sports socks.

11. Woolen monkey cap/balaclava that cover the ear.

12. Wind cheater (to escape a quick burst of rain). Or a light rain coat/poncho.

13. Woolen hand gloves + synthetic glove (water proof).

14. Sun glasses – curved ones will cover your eyes well. No blue coloured sunglass — they don’t block UV. Blacks, greens, browns are fine. Avoid multi tone sunglasses. Sunglasses prevent snow blindness. Sunglasses are mandatory for this trek.

15. People who wear spectacles, choose one of these:

16. Use contact lenses.

17. Photochromatic glasses

18. If either of the above is not possible, wear your spectacles and carry a big sunglass that can be worn over your spectacles.

19. Sun cap and/or head-scarf.

20. Light towel (should be thin, quick drying kind).

21. Chapstick or lip balm.

22. Cold cream & sun screen lotion (SPF 40+).

23. 2 Water bottles (1 L each).

24. LED Torch with 2 extra set of cells.

25. Personal toilet kit (minimal) and toilet paper.

26. Personal medicine kit containing:

a. Crocin - 6 tablets

b. Avomine - 4 tablets

c. Avil 25mg - 4 tablets

d. Combiflam - 4 tablets

e. Disprin - 6 tablets

f. Norflox - 6 tablets

g. Crepe bandage - 3 to 5 meters

h. Band aid - 10 strips

i. Digene - 6 tablets

j. Gauze cloth - 1 small role

k. Leukoplast - 1 small roll

l. Cotton - 1 small roll

m. ORS - 5 packets

n. Betadine or any antiseptic cream

o. Moov spray

p. Nebasulf/ Soframycine powder

q. Water purifying tablets (small)

27. Small repair kit consisting of safety pins, needle, thread and string.

28. Camera, memory-cards, batteries etc (carry enough spare batteries. Electricity is not available on the slopes or at the base camp)

29. While packing, use plastic bags to compartmentalize things and carry few extra plastic bags.

30. Slippers/sports sandals (for walking around campsite).

31. Trekking pole (optional).

32. Some trekkers feel loss of energy more than others. While there is adequate food provided on the trek, carry a few energy bars (5 Star/Munch and dry fruit pouches. 3-4 bars per day). Optional.

DON’Ts

1. 1. Leave your denims behind – these are ill suited for treks.
   2. Snacks, colas, alcohol and personal food – No need to overburden yourself with food.
   3. Don’t get any sleeping bags. We are going to carry high altitude sleeping bags with us. We would also be carrying Alpine tents, ice-axes, and other equipment required for such treks.
   4. After packing, weigh your gear. It should be in the range of 7-8 kg – preferably on the lighter side. Anything heavier, you will need to iterate and remove what is not essential.

And now some general advice about clothing…

Dressing in layers is the mantra. Two T-shirts worn one over the other is warmer than a T-shirt that is thick. This is just a guideline. Mileage vary based on your physical condition, threshold to cold etc. If you are prone to cold, carry an extra sweater. On the Kedarkantha trek temperatures will dip to minus 3-4 by 5 in the evening and lower in the higher camps. This is not something to worry about if you are well protected in layers.

Points to note:

Trekkers are expected to carry their backpacks on the trek. Should a trekker tire out, backpacks will be taken off them and carried by our team. This is an exception and not the rule.

There is a provision to store some bags at our base camp at Sankri. If you are carrying some travel clothes you could keep them at Sankri.

Along with the above list, please ensure you also carry the following documents

1. An identification card (like driving license, voters ID card etc)

2. A medical certificate specifying the following points (Download pdf here).

3. Disclaimer certificate (Download pdf here).

The documents are mandatory. Without them you will not be allowed to trek.

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