Checklist for Tapovan Trek

Basic Checklist for Tapovan Trek
Checklist for High-altitude Trek to Tapovan or similar destinations. 

This checklist is valid for any alpine treks in Himalayas during summer or autumn. 

Attire:

Footwear:

Good Trekking Shoe with Ankle support (Do not carry normal sports shoe they will not last and is not suitable for trekking). Kindly buy trekking shoe at least one to two months prior to the date of trek, where them for couple of local treks and for your daily walk before you bring them for your trekking trip. Spare laces for the shoe might be a good idea
Spare slippers or Sandals (Preferred)


General Instructions on Clothing

Wear clothes in layers. i.e. Multiple layers of thin clothes. (Avoid bulky T-Shirts, Bulk Jacket, Bulky Sweater absolute no no). Avoid anything that is made from heavy fabric.
Layer 1 
Starting with inner thermals (Preferable wear thermals that are made of quick dry fabric / dry fits) 
2 Sets
Layer 2 
track pants

full sleeves t-shirt
2 Sets Track Pants
4 Sets T-Shirts
Layer 3 
Woollen Sweater or Fleece Jacket / pull over. 
1 Unit
Layer 4 
Wind Proof Winter Jackets with a wind proof hood. With good thermal lining.
1 Unit
Others
Good thick Woollen Monkey Cap or Balaclava with woollen Muffler 
1 Set any one.
Under garments
Woollen Socks (Double Woven)
Cotton or Nylon Socks
Undergarments
Leg Warms (optional).
2 Pairs
3 to 4 pairs
Sufficient numbers
1 set

A Pair of good snow gloves and one pair of inner glove.
1 Set

Good Pair of Sun Glasses with Good UV Protection. 
1 Pair

shawl (Optional)


Light trousers (for Rishikesh / Uttarkashi)
1 or 2 Nos.


Additional items:
Cap / Hat (with a good shade)

Trekking Poles (Pair of trekking Poles, highly recommended, at least one is mandatory)

Light Poncho (Rain-wear), there may be a possibility of rains during trek so carry a light and compact waterproof poncho that can cover you and your day pack.
 (Those who are too sensitive to cold can also carry personal pocket size warmers. Available on most adventure sport gear shops), it’s a nice to have not mandatory.
Carry shorts/tights/dry fits and full sleeves t-shirt for River Rafting (You may get an opportunity for white water rafting)
Other items
Flash light and Spare Batteries
Small mirror
water proof pouch (Dry bag) for Electronics.
Camera with spare battery and memory
matches / lighter
Small Spike Guard – for mobile / camera charging (We may have only one socket per room in hotels, so kindly carry spike guard with multiple sockets)
spare cells for Mobile Phone and Cameras (Cells discharge faster in extreme colds) /
Power Banks.

Toiletries
Personal Towel, Soap, Shampoo, Comb, Shaving Kit, Tooth Paste and Brush.
Sun Screen – SPF (35 to 45 or higher), Lip Guard or Balm (with UV protect)
Moisturizer and cold cream
Hand Sanitizer, Paper tissue / hand towel, A roll of toilet paper
Candid Anti-fungal powder

Personal Medical Kit
Anti-septic skin cream
Velbet Skin cream
Aspirin / Anti-vomit
Small bottle of Dettol
Diamox or equivalent (Please consult your doctor), for Altitude sickness.
Medicine for cough and cold
Iodine (drops) or similar
Do iodine tablets kill viruses?
(Chlorine dioxide has become a popular alternative to iodine. This is the same chemical used for treating municipal drinking water. Chlorine dioxide kills viruses, bacteria, and Giardia in 30 minutes, but it is recommended that you wait up to 4 hours to kill Cryptosporidium.)

food poisoning medicine - diarrhoea can be an unpleasant experience while trekking
bandages and cotton
generic antihistamine for allergy attacks
Food poisoning - Norfolk
generic painkiller
Any other personal medication
Camphor (smelling camphor is helpful when you feel giddy) , Vix Rub (small size)


Personal Nutrition during trek
Carry Dry fruits – 500 to 600 grams per head (Mix of Walnuts, Almonds, Dates, Cashew, Resins, and Raisin).

Personal Proteins and Nutrients Bars (Carry personal protein bars, ration one per day during the trek).

1 litres x 2 nos. Wide mouth water bottle (Made of Hardened Grade 1 Plastic or Metal Bottle) or hydration pack is even better.

Bags and Pouches
Carry one Backpack or Duffel bag - 60 Litres (as main bag, that will go to porter)
Carry one Daypack - 30 to 40 litres (to carry during the day for camera, sweater, jackets, photo-ids, water bottle, flash light, personal medical kit etc)
A Waist Pouch can help too.

Packing
All items are to be wrapped in plastic or poly bags or waterproof nylon pouches (dry bags).

Carry an additional smaller backpack (for 1-day trip kind of) where you can leave your heavy baggage at the camp and travel with lighter bags if needed.
Pack bulky and light stuff at bottom and top. All heavy stuff towards the centre of the bag and towards your body.
Use Compression straps if you have them in your bags, these will help you keep all items in place.
Keep all handy stuff in day pack (Photo IDs, Tickets, Woollens, Camera, Personal Medicines, Money etc). 

Telecom service
Most of the remote places only BSNL mobile is available (most mobile networks are available at Rishikesh and Uttarkashi). During treks, no network will be available most of the days. So, you can inform relatives and friends you will not be reachable during treks).




Important to Dos
Always reach 30 minutes before scheduled time for all activities reduces stress
(Better early than late, better sure than sorry).
Keep photo ids, tickets in places where you can reach them easily.
Don’t make the baggage too heavy; maximum one backpack and one handbag (day pack). Don’t carry items not require or more quantity than required.
Airport security check-in. Pack all Liquids, paste tubes, shaving kit; scissors; any sharp objects in check-in luggage; pressurized bottles etc...

All items to be packed in 60-liter backpack or duffel bag; and a smaller personal day pack.

How would most days be during the trip and trek?  
Most days during trip/trek would be like early to sleep and early to raise. One is expected to hit the sack early during treks or you may end up surviving the trek rather than enjoying it.

During you can also buffer for 30 to 60 minutes every day for Landslides or Jams due to some vehicle breakdown on the way.

Precautions (For high altitude)

Altitude: We will be trekking up to 14,650 feet above sea level.

It’s advised that for first couple of days during trek to minimize exertion as you may be rapidly gaining altitude (over 10,000 feet), so that your body has enough time to get acclimatized to the thin atmosphere.

Prevention First 2 days of your trek take is EASY ... Literally let your body adapt to high altitude. Drink plenty of water and other fluids, eat even if you are not thirsty or hungry.

Some of you may face symptoms of High altitude sickness like headache; some may have vomiting tendencies; mostly this condition should go in a day or two if you have taken precaution / followed protocol for acclimatization.

You may take Diamox tables or equivalent a day or two before (kindly consult your Doctors on the medicines).

Sniffing Camphor / Vix Rub is also helpful for those getting headache.
We have to carry Asprin tables.
Drink plenty of fluids (non-alcoholic); this will also help.

Weather conditions:
Warm at Rishikesh (30 to 35 degrees centigrade) to Very Cold during treks (going below freezing zero at nights)



Physical Pre-preparation for high altitude trip

Preparing your legs and body for trek.
One to two hours walk or any other cardio exercise every day at least 3 to 4 days a week
You will also help if you go for walk with small backpack with 5 litres of bottles (Or weight equivalent to what you plan to carry during treks in your day pack).
Go for at least 2 to 3 half day small treks and 2 full day (6 hours trek). Before September 25th, 2017. This will help you understand your fitness level and also built your muscles for the trek.
Breathing exercise
Stretching exercise

Drink plenty of fluid; especially during last week and on the trip
Avoid Alcohol / minimize smoking if possible avoid it totally
Eat good food (Add plenty of vegetables; salads; fruits to your diet).

For those having any chronic illness, kindly take you advice from your family doctor before the trek.

Photo-IDs

Original + Copy (Options)

1) Passport (Preferred for Indians and mandatory for participants who are not Indians)
2) Aadhar Card (For Indians) or another valid photo id that is issued and recognised by government of India.

(at least 5 copies of photographs and photo ids; this will be required for permits at certain locations).
(Recommended) Emergency Money Please carry emergency money (Handy cash) with you; (Rupees 10,000/-; Cheque book and credit card); this fund is your reserve for any emergency evacuation or any other emergencies). 
E.g. In an unlikely emergency situation like we are not able to reach the planned destination due to land slide or bridge breakdowns or due to any other un-avoidable circumstances we may have to halt at another place which was not part of the planned trip etc.; or if someone has fallen ill during travel or trek and need’s evacuation for treatment.


 Also check - Good to Know