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Trekking equipment information

Correct Clothing is essential for a safe and enjoyable trek. I am often alarmed at the many out door fanatics I meet on mountain passes who are ill-equipped and ill-prepared. With so many adventure stores available to us, not to mention literature and the advise of your guide, there really isn't any excuse to be unnecessarily cold or wet.

The following is my 'rough guide' of kit which you'll need to consider before leaving home. The information here is geared towards the beginner and takes into account that all our treks are guided and fully supported. The good news is that it doesn't have to cost a fortune. Down jackets and arctic sleeping bags are great if you're planning on spending a few months at Blue 1 base camp - Antarctica. For the rest of us, read on!

Head Gear

During the day, anything goes just as long as it protects you from the sun. Base ball caps are common, in fact anything with a wide brim. A well tied scarf also does the job and can also be used to compliment your first aid supplies.

At night, temperatures can be cold so a wooly hat is essential no matter where you are trekking. I favour natural fibres as they are better at standing up to the elements. Of course the colourful man made fibers are also good.

Head torches are rapidly replacing the hand held flashlights. The more developed models have flashing colour beacons and a main beam of some 75 meters! A simple head torch with LED illumination is sufficient and relatively cheap. Importantly, these units are very light with a battery life of some 60 hours.

Upper body

I normally wear a T-shirt and a long sleeved shirt for most of my trekking. It is important to wear layers, several in fact depending on where you are trekking. The biggest mistake people make is to strip off the second they feel hot and put it all back on the moment it starts to get cool. By layering your clothing, you can control your body temperature to gradually cool off and gradually warm up. Long sleeved shirts are good as you can flip up the collar for extra protection against the sun; they also provide good protection against sand fly which will go for any exposed skin

First thing in the morning and last thing at night are usually the coldest times so my third layer would be a fleece. These can be costly so shop around. When choosing a fleece, a tighter 'knit' is better as this will also help keep the wind out. Again, a decent wool jumper is also as good, if not better.

Gloves need not be an expensive purchase. Bought locally, a couple of bucks will keep your digits warm. If you need to splash out, inners and mitts!

Rain jackets

Rain proof jackets are expensive and there's no getting away from it - you get what you pay for. Gortex is certainly the most tried and tested fabric on the market. I have been using Triple Point Ceramic for a few years now and have no complaints. The important qualities of any jacket you consider are its ability to keep the rain out and that it is breathable.

An appropriate jacket should be made of a waterproof fabric, noted as being breathable, a sizable but adjustable hood - preferably with a peak and all zips protected with flaps of the same material as the jacket itself. Zips should be 'chunky' and relatively easy to operate whilst wearing mittens/gloves.

Ponchos

Don't rule them out! - There is no doubt that they work and apart from being cheaper than traditional jackets, the bonus is that they also fit over your pack. I have used full length ponchos before but felt a bit restricted in movement in severe Andean/Patagonian weather but severe is rare. If you are on a tight budget, rain ponchos are readily available on the Inca Trail and priced at 1 US dollar.

Trousers

Keep it simple. Trekking trousers should be practical, not a fashion statement. The market has really taken off with clever fibers that dry out in minutes after getting caught in a brief shower - there is no doubting it, they really do work. Shorts are also comfortable but check trekking conditions before the start of the day - there could be sand fly around or irritating long grass and bushes which you'll need to protect against.

Trouser designs with removable sections are handy and provided you can get the removable part off without having to remove your boots, they are a good buy.

With all outdoor gear, it's important to read the manufacturers care of garment label. Especially where trousers are concerned, do not wash them using fabric conditioner - you will destroy the makeup of the fabric loosing its resistance to the elements.

Waterproof trousers work well but can certainly be restrictive and it's easy to over heat in them. Not an essential part of your equipment but worth thinking about.

Thermal underwear for night time use is worth consideration if you know that you suffer from the cold. I do not recommend that you wear these items during the day when you are active - you'll sweat and unnecessarily dehydrate. Better to save them for the evening - something to look forward to!

Gaiters

For most of our treks, these are not needed. However, if you are trekking with us around Chachapoya or Leymebamba, don't leave home without them!

Gaiters will certainly keep your trousers cleaner and importantly help keep your calf muscles warm. They are also great in the rain as they further protect your boots - especially the laced area. Boots with a sewn in tongue can store run-off water all day which eventually will work its way through the material - gaiters if properly adjusted should prevent this..

Footwear

Your feet above all else need looking after. They are going to carry you many miles if taken care of. Socks are vitally important if you wish to enjoy the comfort that a boot should provide so buy purpose designed trekking socks with extra support at the heel, top of the ankle and at the toe.

The boot itself is going to be expensive but if looked after, will last for years. Man made fabric or leather? I have used both and both work. Leather will certainly last longer but will need regular attention. No matter what you decide, ankle support is vital. When buying boots, I recommend you buy towards the end of the day after you've been chasing about - your feet will then be hot and slightly swollen as indeed they will be when trekking. Also, wear your trekking socks when you try the boots in the shop.

Having invested in new footwear, it now needs breaking in. Go for a walk! You should never turn up for a trek with brand new boots just out of the box. Boots can take weeks to wear in and if you suffer on day one, you've just wasted your time and ruined a great holiday. Breaking in new boots won't be sunshine either but persevere, it will be well worth it.

Sandals are also an important purchase as this will give your feet a break from wearing boots all day. Immediately I get into camp, I clean up and change my foot wear. This not only feels good, it also gives time for your boots to air and if necessary dry out. If it's cold at night, sandals and socks!

Having gone to a lot of trouble organizing your boots, (and waterproof jacket) wear them onto the aircraft. Lost luggage is frustrating but can be eased by the fact you've got two important pieces of kit with you. The rest you can replace easily.

Day Pack

You need a day pack of the size 30 - 40 liters. Anything smaller and you won't be able to carry essentials, anything larger and you'll be struggling up that hill. Your day pack should have well padded shoulder straps as well as a waist belt - ideally a chest fixing as well. If you can find one with a water dispensing system (2 liter capacity) then it's worth spending the extra. Ease of access to water encourages you to drink more - it also reduces the amount of plastic you take into the mountains.

Back packs - these can get really big which means a lot of weight. Depending on what you're tackling, 50 to 90 liters should be sufficient. Most of our treks involve pack animals or porters where weight restrictions are strictly adhered to so think small and light.

UV Sun Glasses

Mandatory for any visit to the Andes. At times you might find yourself in snow and ice or trekking alongside lakes - without protection, you are going to suffer serious injury to your eyes. On our treks involving snow and ice, if you have no eye protection, you will not be allowed to climb.

Trekking Poles

These relatively new introductions to the trekking world are good and proven but in no way essential. A properly adjusted pair can significantly improve your trekking time but for the most, helps us maintain a far better stance. Down hill they can save your knees and up hill can give you that little extra power if you need it. On the flat (?) if you are feeling energetic, you can really motor along!

Before starting off, ensure that the poles are at the correct length - on the flat, your forearms should be parallel to the ground. Ideally your poles should have a gripped shaft to avoid constantly re-adjusting the length with regard to the terrain you are covering. The more expensive designs will have angled heads and shock absorbed extensions. Poorly adjusted poles can actually cause a lot of damage so important to get this right. If you haven't trekked with poles before, I recommend that you practise before your holiday; they can take some getting used to.

Altimeters

These devises basically indicate your height above the level of the sea in meters or feet by measuring the air pressure. The higher you travel, the less air pressure and this will be reflected by a reading in meters or feet. The treks featured in our programmes cover anything from 2000 masl up to and beyond 6000 masl. Your guide will be able to inform you of the approximate altitude throughout the day and each evening will brief you on the following days' elevations. Certainly there is no need to dash out and purchase an altimeter. When on the mountain, it is far better to concentrate on the job in hand - the figures can be talked about when you get back down over a beer!

Whistle

A simple sports whistle is sufficient and should be fastened with a meter length lanyard to your day pack or through a loop of your trousers. Whistles are a good way of alerting people and securing help if needed. The international recognized distress signal is 6 sharp bursts at ten second intervals followed by a minutes rest. This then, repeated until help arrives. The minute rest will allow you to hear if your call has been acknowledged.

Regarding our ascent of Volcano Villarica in Pucon, Chile, the guides will always raise the alert should there be a rock fall. A Full briefing by your guide is given prior to setting off.

Sleeping Bag

Two season? Three season? Four season? The industry really hasn't got its act together regarding the grading of sleeping bags. Clearly, a four season bag is going to keep you warmer than a two season bag. For most trekking conditions you'll encounter, a bag with a comfort rating of -5 should be sufficient.

An appropriate sleeping bag should be baffled throughout its length to avoid down shift and therefore eventual cold spots. Ideally it should also have a baffled neck extension with draw cord - this will certainly help maintain a warmer body temperature. As some 30% of heat loss is through your head, check out the bags hood cowling and this should also have a draw cord too. Zips continue to cause no end of problems but with gentle persuasion should function reasonably well. Ask for an anti snagging zip design and this should be the full length of the bag.

Finally, length matters. Before you buy, actually get into the bag in the store. Better to feel a tad silly in the shop than be two feet short of a decent nights sleep.

Sleeping bag liners are really useful in keeping your bag clean. A silk liner is better and also much lighter than the usual cotton varieties.

Bags can be hired in most towns but make sure you personally check the bag before you leave the store - for all kinds of obvious reasons!

First aid kit

These are the basics - where I have mentioned specific medication, you will first need to consult your GP. This list is prepared bearing mind that your guide/s will be carrying a more complex kit.

Adhesive tape
Non adhesive dressings
Assortment of plasters
Elasticized support bandage with safety pins
Bandage with safety pins
Sterile wipes
Tweezers
Steri-strips
Scissors
Blister pads

Insect repellant
Sun screen
Lip balm

Pain killers - Paracetamol or Asprin
Antiseptic cream - (Germolene if you can get hold of it)
Antihistamines - (insect bites and stings)
Foot powder

Antibiotics - Ciprofloxacin in doses of 500mg full course 10 tabs.
Antidiarrhea drugs Only to be taken in consultation with your guide

Rehydration sachets - I recommend you purchase these locally.

I hope you found this information useful. Should you have any comments on the above, please contact us at info@smallgroupadventures.com.pe

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