| Himalayan Mountaineering Institute Things to bring for BMC Congratulations ,you’ve just received your BMC seat confirmation letter from HMI.This is gonna be the most rewarding and transformational experience you will go through. I have been blessed to have done HMI ‘s BMC course.It remains one of the most cherished memories of my life.This blog is written to help mountaineers, to report, well equipped for this course at our beloved HMI.I will list out all items from toe to head ,with links to buy it at discounts online.
Provided by HMI (You don‘t need to bring these items) Down feather jacket ,Sleeping bag ,Gaiters ,Crampons ,Snow shoes, Rock climbing shoes ,Rucksack , Harness, Rope sling ,Plastic cover,Wind stopping jacket and pant ,Woolen balaclava,Water bottle ,Ice axe ,Helmet . Things that you must pack: |
Single most important thing you will pack.
First let me tell you what type of shoes not to bring for trek.Shoes with low or no grip/PVC soles are not suitable for trekking.That means those awesome Nike,Reebok shoes you?ve with flat grip area.They are good for city life but,absolute no no for treks.
My choice
This will last you many treks. I,personally use only this shoe.Bought it for my BMC course and has lasted me for atleast 10 treks after that,still going strong.Many trekkers are absolute fans of Quechua Forclaz 500 ,India?s most popular trekking boots .A bigger investment, but it gives you good grip and is,very very good in protecting your feet from getting wet .
- Traction: TPU Essensole sole with 5 mm lugs for good grip.
- Cushioning: Full foot PU midsole: durable and high-performance.
- Waterproof: Breathable and waterproof Novadry? membrane keeps your feet dry.
- Stability: High upper with two hooks on top provide excellent support on any terrain.
- Lightweight: 555 g per shoe in size 8.5 Complete review here
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| Buy at Snapdeal |
Bata hunter shoes are a low cost option, good for two treks maximum. Has rubber soles with deep grooves , for good grip. However it doesn’t offer water proof factor, so as you are trekking through snow, your feet are bound to get wet.A solution for this problem is to carry a multiple pair of socks.
BATA HUNTER SHOES
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| Cost max 700 Rs. |
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Socks : Woolen and Cotton
Normal quality cotton socks,4 pairs
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| Woolen socksKeep one pair of thick woolen socks (available in any hillstation market) for use only when you are inside the sleeping bag. |
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Thermal Inners
This is a absolute must ,because of the light weight but the warmth it provides you,in Himalayan cold.Buy the top and bottom set in the right size.I have put good brand names,which offer good quality product.
Women
MEN
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T-SHIRTS
Bring 2 pcs ,1 for wearing on trek ,other for backup if you get wet.Avoid white/light colour.They get dirty easily
My choice : A quick drying ,one made of Synthetic fabric.Which means reduced drying time and transfers moisture out quickly ,keeping you dry. Throughout the trek, for many treks.
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| Women’s Tshirt Rs.699 only |
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| Men Tshirt Rs.699 only |
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| Men’s Tshirt Rs.1381 only |
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Track pants
.Bring maximum 2 pcs ,1 for wearing on trek ,other for backup if you get wet.Avoid white/light colour.They get dirty easily.
My choice would last you many treks are Extremely quick drying and fairly robust, a useful feature to have when you have arrived after a rainy day trek to your camp. You could simply change to a spare track pant and hang up the wet ,quick drying pants ,in the morning it would have dried! These are worth the money,I spent while buying it.It has lasted me many long treks.
For men:
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Woolens
The winters temperatures easily drop to subzero temperatures.Ensure the jacket you bring ,will perform well in these conditions.
My choice
I have listed men and women here.Pick the right size .This investment will keep you toasty and warm in the trek and winters back home.
MEN
WOMEN
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Rain coat
Himalayan weather is unpredictable so be prepared to protect yourself from getting wet.
Low cost option: Buy a huge plastic sheet and fold it to cover yourself like a rain sheet.You need to hold the rain sheet together through out the trek.
My choice : A lightweight Raincoat top with hood and rain pant set.To keep me dry throughout the trek.
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Sun Cap + Woolen cap
Gives you shade from sunshine .Protect your neck also by covering behind with a handkerchief
Woolen for Men Woolen for Women
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Gloves
A better quality glove, which would last you many treks.Below one is not totally waterproof.Best one is Gloves with gore tex material .
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| A little water resistant |
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For the Ladies
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Neck warmer
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Waterproof cover for turbans
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| Click to buy it |
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Bandana
To protect face from dust and grime during trek.
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Towel
Only for wiping yourself after a face wash, how about just carrying a small hand towel or a lighter big towel. Listed here are quick drying towels.
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Electrol
Packets to add to your water bottle that contain high levels of Vitamin C, electrolytes and minerals. Good for the added stress on your body.
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Energy bars.
There should be very less or no sugar.Honey is a great substitute for sugar
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There should be very less or no sugar.Honey is a great substitute for sugar
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Lip balm with SPF 15 protection
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Dishwasher liquid
and a scrubber. Needed to wash your mess tin, in the mountains.transfer to a small bottle enough for 28 days
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Body moisturizer
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Nail clipper
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Water Bottle
Or another option is a water bottle with an inbuilt filter
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Sunscreen
SPF 30 and if possible waterproof one.It helps when you are sweating,the sunscreen remains on skin,if waterproof instead of trickling away.
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Pen knife
If you are buying a knife THE best standard is this one.It has a useful tool for handling blisters.(good for trekkers).There are many other models you can choose in the link.
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Sewing kit
Imagine a situation your only rucksack has torn.Simply open your sewing kit and do a temporary repair ,which will last, until you?re back to basecamp.
To repair torn shoes,torn backpack or clothes . Carry Buttons
Various Size Needles ,Duct Tape ? To add strength to torn fabric before sewing. Braided fishing line, Nylon Thread or dental floss ? Much stronger than regular thread.
Shoe Goo ? This stuff is great for repairing shoes, waders, rubber boots, and torn backpack.
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Sunglasses
To help protect from snow blindness.Sun shine reflects from snow and reaches your eyes.Choose sunglasses that effectively block out the sun?s UV rays from all possible reflective surfaces. If you are traveling in the conditions that can cause snow blindness, you will likely need full-coverage or wrap-style sunglasses that prevent light from entering at the sides. Choose polarized or dark, mirror-coated sunglasses for the best results.Any shades with uv protection is good.Here’s a link below to UV protected goggles collection Sunglasses
LANYARD
Prescription Lenses For the Adventurer
Its a very common question in the mountains for those wearing prescribed spectacles in their daily life. Well there 3 solutions to it.
- Wear a good covering CAT 3/4 sunglass over your specs. It is a cheap and easy solution if you will be venturing in the outdoors for just few days, and less frequently in a year. Some brands call theses FITOVERS
- Using Polarized ‘clip-ons’ or ‘flip-ons’ over your regular specs. These fit on the nose bridge and are an easy solution. Check with your optician.
- If you are a frequent mountain visitor, or usually go for longer treks, have your glasses customized from a good optician. Your requirement should be your eye power + CAT 4 UV protection. Other factors like polarized lenses, photochromatic lens, tint colour, nose grip, temple padding, side shield can be customized. Lots of online companies sell it as prescribed sunglasses or powered sunglasses in India.
** Contact Lenses are a hassle in the mountains while you are trekking and hence it is not advisable. Go for sunglasses over specs or prescribed sunglasses.
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Vaseline
Every gram of weight counts when you are trekking in Himalayas.Instead of vaseline bottle for moisturizing and another one for lipbalm .
My choice: Carry a single Small pack,you can use as lip balm also .
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Soap
Facewash and Paper soap to use in camps
2. Buy small sachets of your toiletries,like shampoo,toothpaste,conditioner etc. Why carry a huge bottle of it,which would last you atleast 2 months for a week long trip.There are things which aren?t sold in sachet packs ,for those items ,try this trick to minimize weight.
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Toilet Paper
In case water isn’t available in higher camps.
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Tissues
Facewipes,these wet tissues are so refreshing during a trek.Ok ,Ok this is not a must have,but I love these facewipes so much,had to list it too. 🙂
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Medicines (First Aid kit)
Important : First pack your personal medicines.
Next pack medicines for
Cold,Cough,Fever,Headaches,Crepe Bandage for sprains,Volini spray for fast relief,Band Aids,Antiseptic cream,Combiflam for easing pains,Anti vomiting tablets.
There will be a medical kit available in campsites,but always be on the safe side and carry your own supply.
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Camera and Memory cards
I see ,on many treks,passionate photographers carrying their tripods along too.I?m just getting into photography too,so I understand the lure of a tripod.However,before bringing ur tripod ask yourself. is your rucksack super light, much lighter than others ? Because others aren?t carrying Tripods,only you are carrying that extra weight.Do not over burden yourself.The most important thing here is to enjoy the trek.Think honestly ,is a tripod absolutely necessary? You decide. Carry empty memory cards(if possible extra batteries), which you will happily fill in the trek 🙂 Wishing your photos, many Facebook likes ahead.Do share your favourite photos with me at me@hiteshkumar.com
I?m sure you have your own favorite camera
My favorite point & shoot camera ,designed specifically for adventurers like us is Nikon Coolpix AW130
16 MP–5x optical zoom and 10x* Dynamic Fine Zoom–Built-in Wi-Fi–Full HD 1080/60i movie recording–with 5-Axis Hybrid VR (Vibration Reduction)–Waterproof*1 down to 30 m/100 ft– shockproof*2 to a drop of 2.1 m/7 ft– freezeproof down to -10?C/14?F
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Torch
Most probably ,there will be no electricity at any higher camps during treks,U can pack any light weight torch.Carry extra batteries.
My choice is buy a hand charging one which doesn’t depend on batteries.Its a dependable light source.But not very strong light. Hand Pressing Flash Light – No Battery No Bulb, Simply Shake to Recharge .
The best option of course is a headlamp giving u freedom to use your hands.very helpful when in a dark tent and searching through your back pack for chocolates.
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Camera Batteries
Charging options during the course are bare minimum or non existent
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Small Lock
For keeping your locker at HMI hostel safe.
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Writing Material (Ball Point Pen & Diary)
ok any simple diary and pen would do,however this classy leather bound makes it memorable)
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Backpack cover
For protecting your backpack from getting wet
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WALKING pole
Helps in maintaining balance and brings stability.
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Pickles ,Chutney ,snacks etc.
The food can always be spiced upto your homely favorite taste with this
(plastic small sachets are best,avoid big glass bottles)
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Powerbank
Somehow there is mobile network coverage in your camp site.You want to talk to your family or update your amazing trek photos on Facebook ,but there is no battery left in your mobile .Awwww , Get a fully charged powerbank on your trek.
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Thanks for the important informations. ?