Heart of the Tien Shan Trek
The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum.
The packed weight of your trek bag whilst trekking should be no more than 15 kgs. / 33lbs.
You must bring the following items:
Daypack: c. 30 to 40 litres / 2000 to 2500 cu in
4 season sleeping bag
Thermarest or similar sleeping mat
Sturdy and waterproof hiking boots
Trainers / sneakers or similar for travelling and camp
Footwear for river crossings*
Socks
Technical walking socks (2 or 3 pairs)
Spare laces
Trekking trousers/pants**
Waterproof & breathable shell pants
Underwear
Long johns (thermal underwear)
Shorts**
Thermal baselayer shirts (2 short sleeve, 2 long sleeve)***
T-shirts and/or casual shirts
Fleece jacket or warm jumper
Waterproof jacket
Warm jacket (down)
Sunhat
Warm hat
Eyewear – Sunglasses
Thermal gloves
Headtorch /headlamp with spare batteries
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Selection of dry bags (to keep trek bag contents dry)
Water bottles 1 Litre / Quart (x2)
Washbag and toiletries
Antibacterial handwash
Small towel
Basic First Aid Kit including: A broad spectrum antibiotic, antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), altitude (Diamox), painkillers, plasters (band-aids) and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).
The following items are optional:
Trekking poles (highly recommended)
Insect repellant
Travel clothes
Pocket-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)
Small padlock (to lock your KE trek bag)
Camera, film / memory cards, batteries
Sleeping bag liner
*There are numerous river crossings on this trip, especially on Days 3 and 4 of the itinerary. You will need to have footwear suitable for river crossings, such as Teva style sandals or trainers/sneakers. This footwear should be comfortable to walk in, as there will be sections of up to 15 minutes walking in between river crossings, in which you will not change back into your boots. Crocs, flip-flops and similar non-secured footwear are not suitable for river crossings.
** Shorts or trekking trousers with zip off legs are useful for the trekking days in which there are a number of river crossings eg Days 3 and 4 of the itinerary.
*** A long sleeve shirt is good for sun protection whilst trekking on the glacial terrain surrounding South Inilchek basecamp on Days 10 & 11.
