Gear Required for Deoriatal-Chandrashila
While we will be providing most of the technical equipment needed for the trek (tents, sleeping bags, snow boots, crampons/ microspikes), there is some basic gear you will need from your end to get through your hike comfortably.
Some of the things you will need are:
1) A sturdy, lightweight backpack: A good backpack that sits comfortably on your back without putting too much pressure on it can be the deciding factor between making it to the summit or not. Good, however, is not a synonym for expensive.
One of our founders, Pankaj, purchased a non-branded pack for INR 1100 in 2010 and the pack continues to work just fine for him even today. In the article linked below, he shares some helpful tips on what to look for when choosing a trekking backpack.
How to choose your backpack
2) Comfortable trekking shoes: Happy feet equal a happy trek. Conventional sports shoes don’t suit trekking trails. We recommend wearing high-ankle waterproof trekking shoes with sturdy soles for the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek. These not only provide better support but also reduce the possibility of injuries while hiking. In case, you need help with a list of deciding factors that make for good trekking shoes, please refer to the article below.
How to choose a good pair of hiking shoes
3) Right Clothing: Any high-altitude trek requires specific kinds of clothing. It should be warm but lightweight. It should also be such that it is easily packaged. On high-altitude treks like Deoriatal-Chandrashila, we usually employ the layering method where you put on multiple layers of clothing instead of one very heavy, thick jacket. This is for two reasons:
- The weather in the Himalayan regions is unpredictable and changes very quickly. Layering gives you the freedom to adapt to that accordingly so that you are not left feeling too hot or too cold.
- These are easy to carry and are packing-friendly.
4) Right Sunglasses: Although the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trail is shaded by forests initially on the trail, you soon trek through open meadows and snowfields where sunglasses are essential for the bright sunlight. When you know you are going to be in and around snow or in any high-altitude location where the sun is harsh, you might want to carry a good pair of sunglasses. A lack of these could prove to be fatal. The article below can help you pick out just the right pair.
How to pick high-altitude UV protection glasses?
Skills Required for Deoriatal-Chandrashila
Bikat Adventures is primarily an adventure learning organization. This means our key objective is not just to help trekkers complete their treks but also to ensure they pick up some valuable lessons and skills in trekking along the way.
To achieve this, we have created learning modules and paired them to different levels on the Bikat Rating Scale.
These modules are taught in real-time on the trails by our trek leaders.
The following are some skills that are likely to come in handy on a trek like Deoriatal-Chandrashila.
While you will have all the assistance you need on the trek from our capable trek leaders and guides, we suggest browsing through the articles below to get an idea of what is involved.
1) Ascending Descending on Trails
Although the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trail consists mostly of level land with gradually rising gradients, the last stretch of snow and ice to Chandrashila Top can be tricky. A set of simple techniques can help you navigate ice and snow landscapes with considerable ease while also reducing the chances of injuries and stress to specific body parts. The guide linked below shares some useful tips on how to ascend and descend on trails.
Ascending and Descending on Trails
2) Packing Your Rucksack
Although the weather is not very dynamic on the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trail, it is still important to change your layering, especially due to the vast difference in day temperature and that at night. So you most probably will spend a lot of time packing and re-packing your sack.
Accessing your stuff can get a bit messy and confusing during this process.
A sack packed right can facilitate your trekking while incorrect packing can make even an easy trail seem difficult. Worry not, we are here to help. The article linked below shares some useful guidelines you can follow to pack efficiently.
How to pack your rucksack
3)How to Pitch a Tent
Our trek leaders will be guiding you on how to pitch a tent during the trek. Nevertheless, we are linking the article below for anyone who might be interested in reading about it.
How to pitch a tent
4) Layering Basics
Layering appropriately to protect yourself from the cold is essential. The article linked below will give you a fair idea of the winter layers you will need and guide you on how to layer up at campsites and while hiking.
Hiking attire and layering
5) Understanding Equipment
The Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek has an easy gradient, but it is still challenging to scale the snow slopes to Chandrashila. This, along with heavy snowfall in winter require you to use some basic mountaineering equipment. The articles below will acquaint you with a few of these and help you understand how to use them as well as how they can facilitate your climb.
a How to use a trekking pole?
b How to use gaiters?
c How to use Microspikes?
We hope this article answers all the questions you may have about the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek. In case you need further assistance/information with something, please feel free to reach out to us. We are only a phone call away.
