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Wazzup Pilipinas!?
Introduction
Kedarnath Trek is located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand in India and is famous for its breathtaking beauty and its challenging yet rewarding trails. This place is part of the Govind wildlife sanctuary and national park. Trekkers from all over the world come here to experience the wilderness and panoramic views of the Himalayas. The trekkers have to go through beautiful pine forests, quaint villages and meadows with a wide range of flowers and insects. The trail also offers mesmerising views of famous peaks like the Kalanag, Bandarpoonch, Ranglana and Swargarohini. Sankri village is usually the base camp for the kedarnath trek and this village is approximately 200 kilometres away from the capital city of the state that is Dehradun. Kedarnath trek is approximately 12.4 miles long which is approximately 20 kilometres. This is an estimate considering the fact that the starting and end point is Sankri village. It usually takes about 5 to 6 days to complete this trek.
The distance of the trek
The kedarnath trek is one of the most challenging treks because of the significant altitude gain. It starts from Sankri village at an altitude of 6,398 feet and reaches at a maximum altitude of 12,500 feet at the summit. The trekkers will have to pace themselves so as to avoid exhaustion and mountain sickness. This trekking trail is diverse ranging from dense pine forests to snow covered slopes and rocky ridges, hence the trekkers will have to navigate these landscapes which will impact their stamina and speed immensely.
Things to carry
One of the major aspects for a successful trekking experience is packing the right gears and equipment. You should know about what you have to carry and what not to. Here is a list of items that you must carry for this trek:
● Sleeping gear and shelter
You will have to carry a lightweight tent which is waterproof if you are planning to camp here.
For the sub - zero temperature a four season sleeping bag is a must and a sleeping mat or pad for insulation from the cold ground. These items are necessary for a restful sleep.
● clothing
The temperature in this region is pretty unstable and can fluctuate throughout the day hence layering is very important. Carry insulating mid - layers , some waterproof outer shells etc. you can also pack thermal innerwear to keep yourself warm during the chilly nights. An insulated jacket is a must for the extreme cold conditions and a quick dry trekking pants and sturdy pair of trekking boots. Other items that you should carry are gloves and woollen socks, a cap and sunglasses.
● Food and other equipments
Always carry high calorie snacks when you go for a trek to keep you energised like a protein bar, energy bars, nuts or even dried fruits. You can also carry some dehydrated food or instant meals as it requires less preparation and will be easy to have during the trek. Carry enough bottles of water or a refillable water bottle to keep yourself hydrated throughout the trek. You can also carry some water purification tablets to ensure that you have access to safe drinking water from natural sources. Another tip is to carry a portable stove if you want to prepare hot meals at the camp, but this is optional and clearly depends on the trekkers.
● Personal care and hygiene
Always carry sunscreen and lip balm to prevent sunburn and chapped lips. You should also carry cold creams to ensure that you don't get dry skin in the harsh climate. Carry hand sanitisers. Wet wipes and a soap for personal hygiene. Instead of carrying a normal towel it is preferred to pack a quick drying towel.
● Safety and navigation
Always carry an ID proof with you , make sure you have some emergency contact information and all the necessary permits that you need. Always carry a first aid kit with you with medicines for mountain sickness, pain relievers and bandages. You should also consider packing a swiss knife, whistle and flashlights with extra batteries. Always carry a GPS device with offline maps for navigation. You can also carry a topographic map of Kedarnath and a compass.
● others
You can carry a book to read or an ebook, a journal or sketchbook for leisure and to document the whole journey. Carry a portable charger to charge all your electronic devices.
If you want to enjoy music during a campfire then you can carry a portable speaker.
Conclusion
Packing can be a tedious task but this is one of the key elements to a successful trekking experience , hence it needs careful consideration. Pack responsibly and respect the environment , leaving no trace behind. Kedarnath trek will be one of the unforgettable experiences that you will ever have !
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Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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