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Frankly speaking, Garhwal is not a very easy destination where the amenities are very basic and advanced medical help is far from existent. However, this has not discouraged determined travelers from venturing into some of the toughest climatic conditions without having the material or the physique required. For example, a few years back I was travelling from Gangotri to Gomukh to Tapovan and back at an altitude above 10,000 feet. I met a German professor who was walking with a slight limp – we got talking and started walking together - he travelled with me, enduring a 5 day long trek. We became the kind of friends you’d expect people travelling together with similar interests to become.
One night I got up to have a glass of water and was horrified at what I saw. My German friend was asleep with one of his limbs lying next to him! I could not believe that he had actually taken on one of the most difficult treks with an artificial limb. This goes to show that despite their various weaknesses, their handicaps, their constraints, people come to Garhwal because of their immense faith and belief in the location.
However, people like him are few and far between and under no circumstance will it be advisable for you to take up a difficult trek if you are expecting a medical emergency, are physically handicapped or are not used to such conditions at all. ^Top
Boarding and Lodging:
Be prepared to rough it out in Garhwal. Facilities aren’t really top class; there is water shortage and some places lack even the basic amenities. The GMVN or the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam offers some reasonable accommodation but the quality of service can vary a great deal from place to place.
During peak season most tourist places are extremely crowded and a decent place to stay is hard to find. Your best bet would be to look for a place between two towns.
Medical Facilities:
Do not expect prompt medical help, especially in the interiors. Be sure to carry a first aid kit and a first aid book to take care of minor cuts and bruises.
In case you suffer from an ailment which requires emergency measures, we suggest you seriously reconsider your trip. Medical facilities in this area are very basic and far from sophisticated.
Transport:
Try and avoid public transport if you can afford to hire a car from Rishikesh or Mussoorie. ^Top
Food:
You will not find too many hotels or fancy eat out places, but wherever you eat make sure that the food is clean and hygienically cooked.
Water:
Avoid drinking water from rivers or streams for no matter how clean the water may appear, it might have got contaminated somewhere upstream. Spring water is fairly safe to drink especially if it sprouts from a rock. ^Top
Wildlife:
When trudging up mountains or walking along roads, avoid touching shrubs and bushes especially Kandali, a thorny shrub. Even a brush against this plant may cause severe irritation and rashes. If you do get stung by it, apply cold cream or clarified butter and count till 200!
If you are camping out in the open or stargazing at night, beware of wild animals especially bagh or Leopard.
Women travelers:
Be prepared to face some not-so-pleasant experiences; men in these areas are fairly lecherous but apart from staring at you, they don’t do too much.
A piece of advice – avoid direct eye contact with them. ^Top
Protecting from the Sun:
Apply lots of sun protection lotion when outside. Sun at high altitudes is very strong and one can get sun burnt quite easily.
Also remember to drink lots of fluids to avoid sunstroke or dehydration. ^Top
During Monsoons:
Add a couple of days to your itinerary if you’re travelling during the monsoon season. Roadblocks due to landslides are fairly common during these months and can delay you by a few days.
Money:
Carry cash - do not depend on credit cards, as most places here do not offer this facility.^Top
Hiring a Guide
If you feel the need to hire a guide, please go ahead and do so, but before you hire him, keep in mind the following things:
- Most importantly, make sure that he is experienced and has been on the route before.
- Make sure that he knows the area well and will be able to keep you away from dangers that you will encounter on the trek.
- Finally look around the place and talk to some other guides as well to make sure that you are not being overcharged.
- If you think that you will not be able to carry your own luggage, then hire a porter who will transport your luggage. ^Top
TRAVEL TIPS FOR HIKER’S
Acclimatizing to High Altitudes: Time tested advice that veterans give as far as acclimatization is concerned (beyond a height of 8000 feet) is to “work high and sleep low”. This means that one should work up to a height of say 9000 feet but should come down to a height of about say 8500 feet to sleep for the night as it helps the body to acclimatize better. However, beyond the height of 18000 feet the body functions start deteriorating and a prolonged stay affects your health. ^Top
Advice on high altitudes
- The chances of developing high altitude sickness are more for physically fit people as they tend to push their bodies beyond the physical limits – you might have the strength but this is an area where you should not take any chances.
- Your body needs to adapt to high altitudes, as the higher you go, the air becomes rarified and the oxygen available for you to breathe becomes lesser. Even though your body is capable of adapting to ‘thin air’, you need to give it time to do so. This is what is called acclimatization.
- Keep a steady pace because, if you go up too fast you are asking for trouble, no matter how physically fit you may be or feel.
- Altitude affects each person differently; do not expect that everyone in the party will be able to go at the same speed or even to the same altitude. You should not be embarrassed if you need more time to acclimatize.
- If you have allowed one extra day of rest for acclimatization, in no case try to make up for what you (wrongly) consider lost time.
- Always be alert for symptoms of altitude sickness: the early symptoms are persistent headache, nausea, loss of appetite and sleeplessness. ^Top
What to do
Do not go higher until such symptoms have disappeared. If they are gone after a night’s rest for instance, you may resume climbing, but at a reduced speed; if such symptoms persist, descend at once.
More Serious Symptoms
Breathlessness that continues even after resting, severe cough with watery or bubbly pink sputum and noisy bubbly breathing - all these symptoms indicate pulmonary oedema or water in the lungs. ^Top
Other Serious Symptoms
Extreme weariness, vomiting, severe headache, drowsiness, staggering walk, irritable behaviour and unconsciousness. These indicate cerebral oedema - water in the brain. If you have these symptoms, you must descend at once, even if it means being carried down or going down at night. ^Top
Important Note
Pulmonary Oedema may dissipate after descending 2,000 to 3,000 feet. You may then go up again but with extreme caution. Cerebral Oedema is not reduced quickly and the track must be abandoned.
Your First Aid Kit
our First Aid Kit
The basic first aid kit for hikers should contain the following items:
- 1 pair of scissors
- Tweezers
- Sterile needles
- Razor blade
- Silvazine cream (for burns)
- Cotton balls
- Soap
- Glucose
- Electrolyte salt packets (Gastrolyte or Repalyte)
- Safety pins
- Iodine tablets / weak iodine solution
- Bandages - Ace, Roller Gauze, Band-Aids
- Moleskin
- Bee sting kit
- Sling
- Strepsil lozenges (for sore throat)
- Ibuprofen (for inflammation etc.)
- Parcetamol (fever, headaches etc.)
- Imodium (for easing diarrhea)
- Acetazoleamide (Diamox - for prevention and treatment of acute mountain sickness) ^Top
Things to take on a trek
- Bagpack - good quality
- Pack liner (to guard against wet weather)
- Tent and rainfly – if you intend camping. Dome tents are the lightest and can accommodate upto four persons
- Water bottle
- Sleeping bag (down, Fiberfill or a good make)
- Plastic ground sheet
- Fleece or similar jacket
- Long pants
- T – shirts (two)
- 1 long sleeve shirt
- Long underwear (depending on the weather/time of the year)
- Four pairs of woolen socks – best for avoiding blisters
- Four pairs of cotton socks
- Sturdy, water repelling hiking boots
- Hat (wool, if cold) and sunglasses
- Gore - Tex (or breathable material) rainjacket
- Extra pair of shoes for camp
- Flashlight and spare batteries (Energizer or Duracell best)
- Bowl, cup, spoon
- Stove (if necessary), petrol preferable, MSR - type for high altitude with canister
- Plastic Zip - Loc bags (various sizes)
- Candles/lantern
- Matches
- Safety pins
- Extra fastening straps
- Tooth brush - tooth paste
- Moleskin (for blisters)
- Sunscreen (zinc ointments for high altitudes)
- Chapstick or lip balm
- Toilet paper/tissue
- Knife (Swiss Army)
- First aid kit consisting any necessary medications (i.e. bee sting kit)
- Small hand towel
- Camera and film
- Small notebook and pens
- Iodine or halazone (water purification) or pump
- Foam mattress
- Food
Things to Consider while Packing
1. Weight should be well distributed:
- Metal objects near the top
- Heavier objects near the centre and near the hiker’s back
- Lighter objects near the bottom (clothing)
- Sleeping bag - largest object - either on top or bottom (outside) depending on volume and weight of the equipment of the Bagpack ^Top
2. Articles needed along the way should be kept in outside compartments
- Water and purifier
- Tissue
- Snacks
- Small articles
- First aid kits
- Pocket knife ^Top
3. Keep things organised - know where they are - make a list
4. Keep pack weight down:
- Light but warm clothing (i.e. synthetic fleece)
- Be sure your pack is comfortable
- Reject unnecessary articles
Numerous changes of outer clothing/shoes
Large bulky utensils
Heavy or rich food (rice, vegetables etc.) ^Top
5. Personal experience will soon indicate personal preferences/needs. You will learn:
- How much you eat
- What keeps you warm/cool enough (layered, easily removable clothing works best)
- What footwear you feel most comfortable in
- How much you can carry comfortably
- Whatever personal luxuries you don’t mind carrying
6. Average pack weights:
- Women – 10 to 15 Kg.
- Men – 10 to 20 Kg.
- It’s advisable to weigh your pack before hiking ^Top
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