Avoid Jeans
and Cotton
Jeans and cotton apparels need to be avoided. Jeans are very heavy and uncomfortable when wet. They absorb water and dries very slowly - thus to avoid.
Furthermore their stiches and thread weaving that made up the cloth materials for the apparel, have gaps within them and that allows air or wind to get through them, making jeans unable to give a good insulation against the mountains or high altitude elements.
They are thick and can be suitable for low terrains use; but not in the high altitude conditions.
Likewise, cotton fabrics absorb moisture too, block breathability and also dry slowly.
Best choice of apparels are those made from synthetic fibers as they wick moisture & sweat from your skins, and therefore dry faster.
• Undergarments
> Sports Bras: For women hikers/trekkers, good quality sports bras are recommended. A well-designed sports bra will wick moisture away from your skin. It will make you comfortable throughout the hiking/trekking journey.
> Underwear: Synthetic underwear is more comfortable as it wicks moisture away from your skin. If you put on a cotton-based underwear, it would absorb moisture and be damped, and the coldness would then comes from within no matter how much layering you put on, on the outer.
• Base Layer
> Thermal Top/Bottom: In cold temperatures, both thermal top and bottom will help you keep your body warm. Also, these top & bottom do not absorb moisture and wick away your sweat.
> T-shirts: T-shirts must be lightweight and breathable. You should avoid cotton t-shirts as it absorbs moisture from the skin and makes hiking/trekking quite uncomfortable as they can be damped, making you feeling chill in the cold high altitude. Synthetic fabrics are a good option as it wicks away moisture from your body, and they dry fast too.
> Long-sleeve T-Shirts: Long-sleeve synthetic fiber t-shirts with UV protection properties, will protect you from sunburn and scratches from plants and/or rocks. Generally, in hot weather, short-sleeve t-shirts are recommended whilst in the cold weather, long-sleeve synthetic fiber t-shirts can be a good option, and can function too as an alternative base layer.
• Mid Layer
> Fleece Jacket: It is a lightweight casual jacket made of polyester or with certain percentage of wools in it to provide great warmth. You can wear it as a mid layer as it sits above your synthetic fiber or dry-fit t-shirts and base layer.
> Down Jacket: Down jackets are also mid layer and are extremely light and can be easily packed. Also, it provides extra warmth for cold and windy afternoons and evening. It will be better if a down jacket is with hood.
• Outer Shell
> Waterproof Jacket: While hiking/trekking in Nepal, you might encounter rain as well. In high altitudes, it gets windy in the evenings and sometimes it rains (or snow - depending on the season). A waterproof jacket will help you stay dry during the hiking/trekking period.
Also, your waterproof jacket must be breathable and have a hood to benefit you. Some technical waterproof jackets can also function as windproof jackets too as they are build for both needs (thus the versatility safe you the need to bring an added jacket, allowing your baggage to be lighter).
• Hiking/Trekking Bottom
(Pants & Shorts)
> Hiking/Trekking Bottom: Convertible or modular pants are recommended - so that if the weather changes and it gets hot in the afternoon, you can take it off by unzipping the lower part of the pants to become shorts and to rezip it back to become long pants when the weather gets colder.
This also allow you to have versatile choice as a single pants can be converted to shorts or long pants without incurring extra pair, thus help reducing your backpack weight even further.
> Waterproof Pants or Overtrousers: If you are going for a hike/trek during the rainy season, you will need waterproof pants or overtrousers to keep yourself dry as your hiking/trekking pants are only water resistance in functionality.
Sometimes, in the cold climate, snow may also fall at high altitudes too. So, in this type of situation, you can use these waterproof pants or overtrousers as an outer shell for your bottom to keep you dry.
> Fleece Tracksuit Pants: You can wear these fleece tracksuit pants around the teahouses and for sleeping as well. They are warm, light and much comfortable.
• Footwear
> Hiking/Trekking Boots: hiking/Trekking is a walking journey, and so your boots play a vital and critical role. Thus, you need hiking/trekking boots with good ankle support and good soles. It is very important that your boots fit correctly with thick woolen socks (general rule, boots are to be minimum of one size bigger even with socks to allow your feet to breathe).
Also, proper lacing technique to 'lock' your boot to your feet is critical so that even if it's one size bigger, it would not slide forward or backward, and then injuring your toes or your heels. Locking your boots through proper lacing technique could prevent all that.
Make sure too that your boot isn’t too heavy and must be comfortable. Try to avoid full leather boots as they are too heavy and difficult to dry when wet (and also not to offend the Hindus should you visit their temples along the trekking trails).
> Hiking/Trekking Socks: If you are hiking/trekking in the colder parts of Nepal or during cold season, then you will need a couple of pair of thermal socks made from wools (and they can be thicker).
These socks are warm, comfortable and will prevent blisters. But if you are hiking/trekking in autumn, spring or summer, you just need a lightweight, synthetic socks. These socks will help to keep your feet dry.
> Gaiters: Gaiters are waterproof material. In winter and spring, it provides extra insulation for your lower legs. During the rainy season, they are essential to keeping your socks abd the inner of your boots dry.
> Camp Slippers or Sandals: Camp slippers or sandals can be used for camp activities such as toilet use or during taking a shower. You can also use it while hanging around the tea house, thus allowing your feet to rest.
• Head Gears
> Sun Hat or Cap: Sun hat is very useful when you are hiking/trekking in the summer, especially at lower altitudes. While walking on a sunny day, a sun hat will protect you from sunburn and provide shade.
> Wool or fleece Hat: If you are going for high altitude hiking/trekking, you may need wool or fleece hat as this hat will make your head warmer.
• Other Accessories
> Gloves: You need to keep your hands warm throughout your hike/trek. For this, two types of gloves are recommended - outer gloves and inner gloves. Your outer gloves need to be waterproof, windproof and very durable.
Likewise, your inner gloves must be lightweight and made of fleece, silk or synthetic materials to keep your warm.
> Hiking/Trekking Poles: Hiking/trekking poles can be useful for support and balance during your hike/trek.
> Bandana or Scarf: Many hiking/trekking trails in Nepal, especially at the lower altitudes, are dusty. So, you can tie a scarf or bandana around your nose and mouth to escape the dusty trails.
> Sunglasses: Due to altitude and snow, UV intensity is relatively high in the Himalayas. So, 100% UV protection sunglasses are recommended.
> Headlamps: While you may or may not use the headlamps, it is still vital to bring it along as it is considered as part of your safety items.
• Safety Items
> Daypack: If you are carrying your own backpack, remember - it should not exceed 15kgs (between 50-60 litres bag should be sufficient).
If you have porters, they would carry your larger bag, if that is the agreement and you then need to carry your own small bag known as a daypack - the daypack must always be carry by you and no one else - not even by the porters.
Your daypack should have your jackets, water bottles or water bladder, some food, small first aid box/container, headlamps and one set of unused/fresh clothing.
Your daypack varies from one hiking/trekking terrain to another but generally it is between 20-30 litres for a day hike in summer or tropical climate; or to a certain extend, increases to 50-60 litres for a cold terrain - but shall not be more than that, unless you are carrying all the logistics by yourselves without porters."
- musafir,
The Wandering Moose
🤗🤗🖤🖤❤️❤️😊😊
*****
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