GEAR UP FOR NAGALA ADVENTURE TREK
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Essential Backpack Checklist:
Cap
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Water bottles – 3-4 liters of which 1 liter could be a juice
Optional snacks - chocolate bar / mixed dry fruit&nuts
Packed Lunch (will be given)
Light Rain Jacket or Plastic Poncho
Dress – T.shirt/Track suit - In forest colours only
Trekking shoes
Camera
LED Headlight & Torch Light (both)
2 set of change of clothes
Air pIllow
Blanket
Optional extras: Tent, Sleeping bag, Rain covers etc. for sleeping in the open
Toilet Tissues
Plate
Tiffin box
Coffee cup
Spoon
Hand Sanitiser
Whistle
Slippers
Extra set of clothes for bathing in the waterfalls and also swimming floats / tube etc.
A first Timer’s guide to basic requirements for a light ONE DAY TREK
This guide is specially for those of you who have never been on a trek and you need some basic information as what you will need to have on a Light day Trek.This write-up is a general purpose guide so that you are aware of the basic requirements for a Trek
Fitness
There is no sureshot method for us to know if you are fit enough for the trek or not. If you have an active lifestyle and have good mental strength, a light day trek should not be difficult. Most of our trek dates are fixed atleast one month in advance, so if you do intend to come, you should at the least start going for a 5km walk daily in 45minutes, walk up and down steps wherever possible, do light exercises, cut back on your food and other sedentary habits. This will improve your fitness and help you do the trek more easily. Housewifes, children and even Senior Citizens regularly come for treks, so age is not really a factor.
Good shoes
For Light treks normal sport shoes used for walking, running are ok. The tread on the soles should NOT be the non-marking type (used for tennis,shuttle,Gym use,casual wear type etc), they have no grip over rough terrain and you can easily slip and fall. Common mistakes that people do is using new shoes (not worn before) results in nasty Shoe-bites. By using old shoes or rarely used shoes the soles come off quickly. The adhesive in the shoe (between the sole and upper) deteriorates if you haven't used the shoe for quite sometime. Though the shoe looks good when you check it, the adhesive gives up easily on the trek and the soles come off, then you might have to go barefoot. So even if your shoe “looks new” or if you have not worn it for quite some time, it quite risky. Its best that your shoes are worn daily for walk for at least 2 weeks so that you can spot a problem in advance. If you intend to trek regularly you can buy a proper Trekking shoe. Good trekking shoes like Quecha are available with www.decathlon.in.
Good back-pack
A good, back pack to carry your water, food and snacks. For one day treks with a night stay best size is medium or large (above 60 liters)
Sun cap ,Sun screen, Sunglasses
We will need to trek in the open sun during the hot hours of the day. At that time a sun cap and some sun cream are indispensable. The cap should not be dark color (absorbs heat), and a round-brim type (like a Cricket cap) is best. Alternately a sports cap could substitute but with a lesser protection from the sun. A dark sunglasses with UV Protection is essential. Since you are out in the sun the whole day, a good sunscreen lotion is recommended.
Clothes
Wear a light sports t-shirt or loose shirt in earthy shades (light brown,leaf green etc) which blends in with the forest. Avoid black (dark colors) as it absorbs heat from the sun, and bright colours like Red,Yellow, bright green as it might scare of birds and small animals (which we would like to see). Prefer light, quick dry and airy t-shirt/shirt (polyester). For pants – loose cargo pants, Track suit bottom, ¾ pants, Bermudas or half pants.. Avoid Jeans and thick pants. Most women opt for Salwars, but normally not the best suited for treks. Caution to jeans fans - in treks you can get wet (from streams ,sweat or from rains) and there is nothing heavier and uncomfortable than a soggy jeans pant, and you also run the risk of abrading your skin of your inner thighs. In the rainy season, you should carry a raincoat too.
Camera
Your camera is an essential tool for treks. Don't forget to keep shooting while trekking. Many people bring it along but come back with very few photos. Take time to capture the scenery, flora and fauna.
Snacks
Look at the Power-to-weight ratio – any snack food that is light & compact to carry but packs in more energy. Take healthy stuff. Energy bars, dates, nuts, dry fruits, or even fresh fruits is what most experienced trekkers prefer. It's suggested that you bring atleast ½ liter of of ready-mix items like Tang, Fruit Juice, isotonic, Gatorade or any drink that has a balance of Salts & Sugar to replace the body salts lost due to sweating. Avoid fried, oily or spicy snack foods. A basic lunch packet will be given to you at the start, which you will have to carry too. Dehydration from sweating is the biggest problem and it could give you leg muscle cramps. The best solution for this is Oral rehydration sachet or some table salt.
Water
The most essential item and the most heavy item which you will carry. Two liters water is the minimum. But considering the fitness level and the heat, 2 ½ to 3 liters (including the ready-mix juice) per person is suggested. On extremely hot days having a total of 4 liters is safe. Load your bags prior to the trek and check the weight, and decide how much you can carry. Never carry less water, and NEVER ask others for water.
Some tips on the trek
Do not throw away any plastic bags/wrappers and litter. Whatever litter you have should be retained by you, and brought back for disposal.
Don’t carry too much snacks. Carry only for you and not for distribution to everyone
No smoking or drinking before/during/ or till we reach back trichy.
Avoid non-veg foods
Its not a running race, so everybody goes in a group and paced to accommodate the slower guys.
No exploration or trying out new routes. Follow the Group leader or guide
Avoid talking and making noises. Let everybody enjoy nature in peace, and listen to the sounds of nature.
Avoid using cell phones, we can live without it for 1 day.
Trekking just like any Sport is not without its hazards. Every person comes at his own will and risk. Follow safety instructions of the Group leader. Carelessness, stupidity and bravado can endanger you and others.