15 Things to Carry While Trekking - How to Pack for a Snow Trek

Imagine yourself up on the mountain, looking over this stunning snow-covered landscape. You are so mesmerised that you decide to set up your first camp of the trek right here and get up in the morning to this beautiful view. You start unpacking your gear, setting up your tent and then taking your things inside to relax for the day. That's when you realise you forgot your night light or your forgot your thermals or you have nothing to cook those ready to cook delicious food you bought! How would you feel when you are in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nothing but snow and you don't have something so important?

Well, don't you worry traveller, we've got your back! We may not control the weather on the top of the mountains, but we can surely help you to be prepared and carry all the necessary things with you. Right from important things to carry to basic things which makes a huge difference when you are climbing through the snow. Be as excited as you want for your adventure trip, you won't have to worry about things to carry in your backpack!

We are giving you a checklist for things to carry while trekking that will make you snow trek ready right away!

Things to Carry while Trekking Through Snow (Basics You Should Pack For A Snow Trek)

Let’s start with all the necessary things to carry while trekking on your next snow trek adventure.

1. Trekking Shoes

You should carry waterproof trekking shoes which have a good grip. You can travel in your sports shoes till the base camp but once you start your trek, you must change into your trekking shoes. Investing in good quality will be worth it! 

2. Backpack with Raincover

While buying your backpack, you should check its straps, some side pockets and departments are provided and if it has a supporting frame fitted into it. This will help you organize your things in it. Also, depending on how long you trek, you may buy 40 - 60 litres of a backpack.

3. Walking Pole

If your trek organiser provides you with a walking stick, great! But you should still carry at least one, just in case they don’t.

4. Head Torch

Again, something your trek organizer should take care of but carrying a head torch of your own will spare you the discomfort of the used one.

5. Water Bottle/Thermos

One of the most important things is Water bottle, which will sustain in the harsh conditions too. You can also carry Thermos along with your water bottle to carry hot water. Carrying at least two water bottle of a litre each and a thermos will add to your convenience. 

6. Snacks

Light snacks that may not need fire or water to cook are something you should definitely pack in your backpack. Packed in small reusable airtight bags will also help you travel green. If you are carrying your stove, pack ready to cook snacks like instant Upma, Poha, Oats or some soups. 

7. Personal Medical Kit

When we say Personal, meaning all medicines you are prescribed by your doctor or meds or supplements that you need every day. While packing all the snow trek essentials, these are a few of the things to carry while trekking which are usually forgotten by many travellers. 

8. Day Bag

A day bag, not more than 20 litres, is only needed when you offload your luggage while trekking. Carry the immediate things that you may need, like a water bottle, medicines and first aid in your day bag. Check with your organizer about the luggage offloading beforehand.

10. Headgears

Carry your woollen caps, sun caps, woollen bandanas to cover your face and neck and dark sunglasses that covers your eyes properly.

11. Comfortable & Necessary Clothing 

Pack only such clothing that you are comfortable in. Don't carry something out of trend or something that looks fancy without making sure that you are comfortable in it.

Must carry clothing are
- Trekking pants and t-shirts
- Fleece tees and jacket
- Windproof and waterproof, padded jacket 
- Poncho
- Thermal Inners

12. Footwear & Feet Protection

As mentioned before good quality, well-fitted trekking shoes, extra pair of floaters, cotton as well as woollen socks are few of the must-have things to carry while trekking. Extra padding for shoe bite prone areas of your feet. 

13. Toiletries

Carry moisturizer, sunscreen, lip balm, face wash, lightweight towel & napkins, Toilet paper and hand sanitiser in your waterproof toiletry bag. Carry an extra zip lock bag in case of any leakage or spill and bring the waste back with you.

14. Cutlery

Carry your own travel-friendly coffee mug, a spoon and fork and travel-friendly lunch box as it has many benefits. While cooking on your own it helps to clean and carry it along to your next stop, not creating any waste. So it's good for the environment. And if you are travelling in a group, it is always very hygienic instead of sharing your coffee mug and lunch box. 

15. First Aid Kit

Medicines for AMS, Motion Sickness, Antacids, Diarrhea, Pain killers, Fever, Allergies if any, Knee and back support, Antifungal powder, Bandages, energy drink powder, instant pain relief spray, bandages and ointment for shoe bites, etc. are few of the medicines you should consider carrying in your first aid kit.

The Right Way To Pack a Backpack

Pack your backpack in this sequence:

Bottom 
Less frequently used items

Center 
Close to your back - Heavier items
Away from your back - Lighter items

Top 
Frequently used items

Bottom - Less Frequently Used Items

Pack bulky items that you will need once you reach your camp and not on the way. Like a sleeping bag, an extra pair of shoes or boots. Packing such soft material items at the bottom of the backpack will also help your lower back.

Center - Close To Your Back - Heavier Items

Stuff the heavier item with you in the centre, in the inner section of the bag that touches your back. This makes it carrying and balancing your bag quite easy. Things like a stove, pack of heavy clothing, packed food items, etc. If you place these heavy items on the outer section, it will pull you back and there are more chances of losing balance while trekking.

Center - Away From Your Back - Lighter Items

Lighter items like light snacks, tent cloth or light clothing, should be placed in the outer section, wrapping the heavy gears. This makes it stay in place and is not shifted all over in the bag. 

Top - Frequently Used Items

Anything that you will need while trekking and needs to be handy, should be in the topmost section of our bag. Rain jacket or poncho, first-aid kit and other supplies. If the weather is not reliable and keeps on changing from being sunny to storm and rains, you should consider stashing your tent on the top of your bag. This helps you to quickly grab our tent and set it up in the case of a weather change. Most tents comes properly tucked in their bag, you can tie this bag to the loops provided on the top section (if any) of your backpack. 

Side and Extra Pockets and Loops 

Your backpack may come with several side pockets and small zipped sections on the exterior. You should use it smartly by packing things like ID, some cash, water bottles, sunglasses, rain cover or a compass. Things that you may need quickly and you won't have to put your bag down. You can use those loops and fasteners to tie and hold things like tent poles, sleeping bags or anything that doesn't fit in your bag.

Create your checklist using these tips and let us know in the comments below what things to carry while trekking we've missed out on and how you packed your bag for a snow trek!