What To Carry (Equipment)
This list shall cover the clothing and equipment that you will require for the trek.
IMPORTANT GEAR FOR TREKKING:
1. Bag pack: Typically a 60L pack is sufficient for most trekkers. Some prefer a larger pack but make sure you have trekked with large packs and weights before if you are going to opt for a larger pack. If you are going to trek with a pack smaller than 60L ensure that you can fit all your gear into it properly otherwise packing and carrying will become a constant problem. If you have not bought your packs yet, make sure you do not order your packs online. It is important to personally check out the pack. The design and construction must be right for you. Hence wear and see the pack if you can. A pack without an internal frame is ill-advised. It must have a good lumber support, sturdy shoulder straps with good padding. Pack must feel comfortable on your shoulder and must afford good hip support (via adjustable hip straps).
2. Rain cover: Make sure your pack has a rain cover too. If it does not come with one then you must buy it, but it is necessary to have it. And Carry a poncho (avoid Velcro. Zips or buttons down the side to hold the poncho are better) or a good water proof jacket to protect you from rain
3. Trekking Shoes: Having the right kind of shoes (or not having them) is one of those things that can make your excursion sheer joy (or a nightmare). Make sure your shoes are ‘your’ shoes, that you have worn them before and used them to get used to them before taking them along. Brand new shoes might give you shoe-bites and cause discomfort. There are several good trekking shoes available in all price ranges available. Salomon, North Face etc. are the more expensive brands. The emerging standard in recent times is the Quechua Forclaz series. The budget should be dictated by how frequently you are going to trek and what they cost for the return you will get. Army boots, although slightly heavy are extremely good to trek and high value for money. Besides they are very cheap. If anyone is interested in them, one could try those too. My experience has been military boots are a match for any trekking shoes and I have used a couple of pairs for several years although now I have a pair of Forclaz 600 (with which I am not exactly impressed). Carry one additional pair of shoe laces with you. It is a good idea to carry a pair of slippers/floaters. Remember shoes are VERY IMPORTANT and hence pick your pair carefully and break into it before the trek.
4. Socks: Carry about 3-4 pairs of good sports socks. Also carry a pair of woollen socks. Many trekkers wear woollen socks at night in their sleeping bags. If you are going to wear them while walking (which is usually not necessary) then you might want to carry one additional pair.
5. Underclothes: Carry about 3 sets of underclothes. That should be sufficient for the trek. 3 sets for a period of over a week seems odd but those who have trekked will attest to a fact that one does not change clothes every day on a trek. It does not make sense nor is it necessary.
6. Thermal inners: You might want to carry a set of thermal inners. It is not usually necessary and one is certainly ill-advised to wear them while trekking but those of you who feel very cold might use them in the evenings.
7. Trekking pants: One need not carry too many on the trek. 2-3 pairs of pants (including the one you will start with) should be sufficient. DO NOT carry jeans. They are heavy, occupy space and do not dry quickly when wet. Good track pants, cargoes and so on are better bets.
8. T-shirts: 3 T-shirts (full sleeve if u are susceptible to feeling cold). The quick-dry sports T shirts are the best as far as our experience goes.
9. Warm clothing: Carry adequate warm clothing. 2 good warm jackets/sweaters, and a jacket on top is what one usually wears at night if it gets too cold apart from the primary clothing inside. The idea is layered clothing. One big fat jacket is never a good idea because it gives you no flexibility to remove a layer in case you are too warm inside (or add a layer if u are a little cold). In fact your warm clothing will take up most of your space in the pack Make sure that you carry enough warm clothing for how cold you generally feel. Temperatures may hover around zero on a couple of nights. .
10. Cap/Head: A good balaclava (monkey cap), scarf, possibly a pair of warm gloves is advisable. Carry a sun hat/cap for the trek. It works better than walking in a monkey cap.
11. Good Idea: Carrying a pair of shorts is a good idea.
12. Good Idea: Carry a good torch with spare batteries.
13. Good Idea: Carry a good pair of sunglasses.
14. Basic toiletries – Brush: Carry basic toiletries – Brush, paste (small tube), small soap, a small bottle of moisturizer perhaps and a stick of lip balm if you wish. Soap- strips (paper soap) and a bottle of hand sanitizer are also very handy.
15. Lunch box: Carry a lunch box (tiffin box) and a spoon. It is better than a plate, mug and a spoon as it is much lighter. Also one can use to eat in, drink tea in and also carry small things if needed. It is very useful when lunch has to be packed as we won’t have to use aluminium foil and thus will reduce the amount of trash we gather. Lunch will be packed in the lunch box. Thus, do not forget to carry the lunch box and a spoon. Add to that two 1 lit. Bottles for water also Headlamp/LED torch.
16. Personal first aid kit: You might want to carry a small personal first aid kit. In case you do the following things could be a part of your list
1. Paracetamol (1 strip of 15)
2. Brufen 400 or Voveran 50mg (1 strip)
3. Pain killer
4. Crocin
5. Combiflam (1 strip)
6. Disprin (1 strip)
7. Metronidazole 400mg (1 strip)
8. Sinarest (1 strip)
9. Cetrizine (1 strip)
10. Allegra 120mg (1 strip)
11. Band-Aid strips
12. Neosporin powder
13. Savlon (small bottle)
14. Cotton
15. Gauze dressing (3 pieces)
16. Leukoplast tape/ Adhesive tape (0.5 or 1 inch width)
17. A pair of scissors.
18. Betadine antiseptic cream
19. Health Supplement
20. Amoxicillin and Potassim
21. Eye Drops
22. Digene
23. Bitadine
NOTE: If you are Asthmatic please carry your inhaler or other prescription medication with you. Similarly, if you are a susceptible to Migraine pains, please carry your medication with you.
It is advisable to carry all the gear in plastic bags for additional protection inside the sack.
DOCUMENTS TO CARRY ON THE TREK. (INDIAN CLIENT)
1. Make sure you are carrying the following documents on the trek.
2. Disclaimer – original + 2 copies.
3. Medical certificate from a registered and practising doctor with his stamp and registration number. – Original + 2 copies.
4. A Govt. of India Photo Identity card + 3 copies. Like Aadhar card, Voter-Id card, Drivers licence and PAN card .
5. Passport size Photo-copies 3 Pc.
NOTE: FOR FOREIGN NATIONALITIES :
1. Foreign nationals will also have to get the Inner Line Permit made at the Melli check post while entering Sikkim in route from NJP/Bag-Dogra airport. Without this document, they will not issue trekking permit.
2. Special trekking permit as per regulations, made from Pelling Department of Tourism.
3. Black yak expeditions can make special trekking permit from Pelling Department of Tourism you are not allowed to trek before obtaining Trekking Permit. That is why you should reach Yuksom at least two day before the trek. You need to obtain a special permit at Pelling to trek in Sikkim reagion which is called trekking permit. Black yak expeditions can help you obtain this permits. As per regulations, your trekking permit can be obtained only after obtaining Sikkim Inner Line Permit (ILP). Inner line Permit or ILP is must important without which trekking permit cannot be obtained. Inner Line permit can be obtained at main check points or border area Like Melli, Rangpo in Sikkim it can be also obtained at Bagdogra Airport or Silliguri Kachahari area. You need to obtain a special permit at Pelling to trek in Sikkim which is called trekking permit. Black yak expedition can help you obtain this permits. But in order to issue an inner Line Permit you should be there as an evidence therefore we cannot claim Inner line Permit without you. Kindly reach Yuksom a day before the trek batch starts. The charges of obtaining the permit will be Rs 1000 per person and has to be paid to our representative who will meet you at Yuksom. Going to Pelling and returning back with your trekking permit is one day long procedure.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR TREK PERMIT
1. Original passport + 2 pc of photo copy.
2. Original Visa + 2 pc of photo copy.
3. Original Sikkim Inner Line Permit+ 2 pc of photo copy.
4. pc Passport Size Photography.
5. Undertaking / Disclaimer.