:: Knowledge Base ::

What is Trekking -  The love of nature & the pursuit of the unknown have eternally drawn man to shed the comfort and security of this home to venture beyond the blue ranges on the horizon and to discover new valleys, forests, rivers and high mountains. The quest of mountain lover is for the freedom of the hills, to be at home in the high wilderness, with no barriers he cannot pass, no danger he cannot avoid with due caution and proper knowledge. This is the essence of enjoyment sought by the trekker and the climber.

 Trekking is undoubtedly of value to physical fitness but its aim is not to produce athheletes. It is an activity which should develop real love for the mountain regions and appreciation of their grandeur. Trekking leads to a closer interest in plants, trees, birds and animals, indeed in all form of nature study. It inculcate the virtue of sacrifice, the value of physical exertion, somtimes to the limit of endurance, and above all, the spirit of comradeship. A sense of adventure adds excitment towards the fulfilment of the goal.

A sound trekker is mindful of  his own minimum needs. Trekking inculcates qualilities of self-reliance, keeping fit and willingness to help. A trekker therefore, carries on his back-in miniature-his entire home, bed, kitchen and other needs on the trek. To achieve a sense of freedom the trekker must give up certain comforts and avoid burdening himself with the non-essentials. For, the trekker has no other power of locomotion but his own legs. He learns the campcraft to make himself comfortable outdoors. 

Medical checklist for Treks - 

Ailment	Drug(quantity)	Dosage
Injury, blisters	Band Aid(10 strips) Cotton bandages (2) Betadin ointment (1) Sterile gauge (2)	Apply as needed Apply as needed
Stomachache - If burning sensation - If colicky pain	Cyclopam (10)  Digene (10) Baralgan (10)	1 tab, 4-6 times a day 1 tab, 3 times a day
Bodyache Headache, fever or tiredness	Novalgin (10) Crocin (10) Wikoryl (10)	1 tab, 4 times a day
Travel sickness, or vomiting	Avomin (4) Domstal (4)	1 tab, 2 times a day or as required
Allergy	Avil (4) Incidal (4)	1 tab as required
Skin Irritation	Caladryl cream (1)	Apply as required
Dehydration	Electral Pwder (2)	Take as required
Water Purifying	Steritabs tablets (20) Iodine tabs (20)	1 tab, as per instruction
Diarrhoea/Dysentery	Lomotil (10) Sterptomagma (20)	1 tab, 3 times a day 2 tab, 3 times a day
Cough or sore throat	Strepsils (10) Corex syrup	Take as required
Blisters	Boric powder	Apply after bursting
Sprains	Crepe bandage (1)	Apply
Muscle pain	Relaxyl (1) Ibuflamer P (4)	-Rub gently -1 tab with milk
Loose motion	Gramogy
Motion sickness	Vertigon
Eye drop	Geniton B/Piricort	2 drops 4 times
Ear drop	Otek AC	2 drops 4 times
High Altitude Sickness	Dimox	1 tab in the morning
Burns, scalds, Wounds, Cuts, Ulcers, Boils	Soframycin

What to caryy For Treks - 

Check Lists
trek Accessories Check List :

The following suggested checklist found to be useful, for items to be carried on treks. However, one must judiciously select items according to season, duration of a trek and the area to suit individual taste and needs.

For a day outing	Additional items for an Overnight outing	Seasonal & special items
Cap	Torch	Rainwear/Umbrella
Rucksack	Toothbrush/paste	Pullover
Water bottle	Sleeping bag or	Goggles
Walking shoes	Shawl/blanket	Swimming costume
Pen-knife	Towel	Soap
Lunch box	Socks	Wind-proof jacket
Change of clothes	Cooking utensil	Plastic bags
Chappals	Mug, Plate, Spoon	Map
Plastic Sheet	Sleeping clothes	Compass
Lighter/Match box	Candles, Gas stove	Steel-grip tape
Click Here to Medical Check list for Treks
Click Here to Know more about Bag Packing
Click Here to Know more about related links

Food Check-List :

A trekker should be self-sufficient for all the meals and food. Nothing is available at villages and one should not plan to depend on it. 

For a day outing	Additional items for overnight outings  where cooking facilities are available
Chapatti/Bread	Khichdi/Thepla/Bhakri
Cooked vegetables	Tea/Coffee
Juicy fruits	Milk Powder orCondensed milk
Salad	Soup
Biscuit, Cake	Raw vegetables
Pickle, jam	Ghee
Butter, Cheese	Rice
Sweets	Potatoes, Onions
Lemon powder	Salt, Masalas
Glucose	Canned food
Sandwiches	Noodles
Eggs	Dehydrated food
Cooked lentils	Papad
Curd

Back Packing - How to Pack your sack

A good packing job can make a big difference in how your pack carries. This is especailly true with internal frame packs.

Be sure to pack the load firmly. You waste a lot of energy compensating for a constantly shifting load. If your pack has compression straps, use them!

Think about what you'll need during the day and put these items in the top lid or outside pockets and/or at the top of the main compartment so they will be easy to get to. Don't forget to make sure your maps, compass, rain gear and flashlight are easily accessible.

Use color coded stuff sacks to help organize large undivided compartments.

Remember, the higher the weight is in the pack, the more upright and comfortable your walking position will be. But it will also have a greater effect on your balance. So find the compromise that works best for the terrain you're on.