Winter Hiking 101: Here's what every beginner needs to know

Layering is keyVinayak Mahadik trek coordinator Trek Panda When it comes to high altitude treks there is no one stop solution Knowing how to properly layer your upper body clothing for instance can make or break the deal Ensure your base layer is a thermal suit that is moisture wicking moves sweat away from the skin by absorption The mid layer is for insulation mdash a good fleece or down jacket will do the job The final layer is for water and wind resistance from a solid yet breathable jacketHeadtotoe essentials Neck gaiter or balaclava shell jacket and pants gaiters 10degC or lower rating sleeping bag and a rain ponchoOn my trek list Sar Pass trek and Hampta Pass trek in Himachal PradeshGet the tools rightChirag Dhabalia trek organiser MountMeIt is important for beginners to prepare well in advance Contrary to popular thinking most beginners ignore the need for handy tools like a head torch sunglasses or gloves A lifesaving hack would be to study and track the trail beforehand with the help of a navigation app to plan your route in case of unforeseen weather conditionsHeadtotoe essentials Woollen beanies sun protection glasses head torch down jacket dryfit hiking pants water resistant socksOn my trek list Trek to Brahmatal in UttarakhandA pretrek shopping list for beginners Head and neckNeck gaiterThis multipurpose neck gaiter gets the expertsrsquo vote for being insect repellent and coming with UPF 50 rated sun protectionLOG ON TO Buff on wwwadventurasin COST Rs 1359HeadlampButtons are passeacute Use hand motions and gestures to control this rechargeable headlamp that offers 300 lumen output with an adjustable strap and an SOS featureLOG ON TO gokyoinCOST Rs 1499Gadgets and appsSmartwatchDownload your trek map and save it on a smartwatch like the Amazfit TRex 2 which allows offline access in low network coverage areasLOG ON TO inamazfitcomAppsZello Turns your phone into a walkie talkieLife360 Lets your family track your live locationMapsme A solid offline map app especially useful for remote areasAVAILABLE All app storesUpper bodyInsulating jacketExpert suggest investing in a high quality insulated down jacket that retains heat even in wet conditions This jacket comes with breathable lining and a chin guard to prevent chafingLOG ON TO columbiasportswearcoin COST Rs 9999GlovesGet a grip of things with these professional approved synthetic windproof glovesLOG ON TO wildcraftcomCOST R799Thermal baseGet the basics right with a moisture wicking thermal that delivers warmth in temperatures as low as 20degC The thermal can also double as innerwear for future tripsLOG ON TO Uniqlocom COST Rs 2490Shell jacketSeal the deal with this lightweight water resistant and wind proof soft shell jacket LOG ON TO decathloninCOST Rs 2999Lower bodyHiking pantsThe specialised knee darts on these quickdry pants allow for a greater range of motion for all your rough terrain adventuresLOG ON TO gokyoinCOST Rs 2499Breathable socksKeep cold feet at bay with these lightweight and breathable calf length socks that provide increased coverageLOG ON TO Quecha on myntracom COST Rs 899Durable shoesOpt for waterproof high ankle shoes if your trek entails mixed terrain including snow and muddy trails The MH100 comes with a nonslip outsole to help you get a grip of things right from the get goLOG ON TO decathloninCOST Rs 2499Vinayak Mahadik in the Western Ghats Pic CourtesyTrekpandaTrek this outHead over to these trekking destinations this seasonHimalayas Har ki Doon Uttarakhand Pangarchulla Peak Uttarakhand Kuari Pass Uttarakhand Deo Tibba Base Camp Himachal PradeshWestern Ghats Karnala Fort Panvel Kothaligad Fort Karjat Kudremukh Trek Karnataka Sondai Fort KarjatHiking essentialsSun protection glassesEnergy bars and ORS powderSmall quickdry towelsDuct tape for quick repairsZiploc bags for electronics and snacks