?Always check your stove before you leave. If it's a new stove, try it out at home. Make some tea, porridge, and boil some water. See how much fuel it consumes and calculate how much you sill need on the trip. No point carrying gallons of kerosene that you won't use, but do remember that the higher you go, the longer it takes for water to come to a boil and therefore, the greater will be the fuel consumption.



?Pack your backpack intelligently so that the weight is balanced vertically with heavier items on top. Pack heavy things towards the inner side of the backpack, closer to your body, so that the weight does not pull outwards. Keep sandals (if you have a river crossing that day) and other important items in the outer pockets.

?Try and camp in the recommended campsites. Avoid pitching camp in dry gullies, which may turn into raging torrents if the weather turns. Also, avoid camping under rock faces and cliffs that may have rock falls or avalanches.

?When pitching a tent, try and find a well-drained area, not likely to get waterlogged in case of a sudden shower. If you anticipate bad weather at night, dig a two- to three-inch drain around the tent with one end leading off a foot or two, preferably downslope.

?In case you are caught in a sudden thunderstorm, try and find shelter: an overhang of the mountain, a small cave, a large rock or tree. The idea is to stay dry, and in the Himalayas, to stay warm, carry a sheet of plastic in areas likely to be wet. It should be large enough to go over the backpack to keep it dry as well.

Personal hygiene is important on a trek. Men are lucky enough to jump into any mountain stream for a swim. Women should carry a sarong that they can slip into. This can be used as a cover to slip out of your trekking clothes. Find a bend in the river, away from praying eyes and bathe to your heart's content. In case it's too cold or the pace of the trek doesn't allow it, do what I do at the end of each day. After your tent is up, take a mug of warm water, a hand towel and some soap, and zip yourself in. sponge yourself thoroughly, soaping your groin and armpits. Brush out dust from your hair. Then change into your nightclothes and a fresh pair of socks. You'll be amazed at how the day's fatigue leaves the body and just how refreshed you feel.

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