Tcherskiy Mountains Explorer
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 while trekking should be no more than 12 kgs./25 pounds. Items not required for the trek may be left at the group hotel. The total weight of your trek bag and daypack must not exceed 20kg on the internal flights.
During exploration above our base camp on the Bugchan River, group members will need to carry everything they need for these 2 or 3 days, plus a portion of the communal equipment and food. You should bring a backpack large enough to carry these items (minimum 55 litre capacity recommended).
You must bring the following items:
Waterproof hiking boots or wading boots (see notes)
Sandals or similar for the canoe trip
Trainers /sneakers or similar for camp use
Socks
Underwear
Trekking trousers / pants
Waterproof (preferably breathable) overtrousers / rainpants
Waterproof and breathable jacket with hood
Long johns (thermal underwear)
Shorts
Thermal baselayer shirts
T-shirts and/or casual shirts
Fleece jacket or warm jumper/sweater
Sunhat
Warm hat and balaclava or buff
Mosquito hood (see below)
Insect repellant – (DEET)
Eyewear - Sunglasses
Warm and waterproof over-gloves or mittens
Thermal gloves
Small padlock (to lock trek bag)
Selection of dry bags (to keep trek bag contents dry)
Backpack 55 litres
Headtorch / headlamp with spare batteries
Lightweight (plastic) bowl, cup, knife, fork and spoon
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Water bottles 1 Litre (1 quart) x2
Washbag and toiletries
Small Towel
Antibacterial handwash
4 season sleeping bag (rated to – 10°C minimum)
Thermarest or foam sleeping mat
Basic First Aid Kit including: A broad spectrum antibiotic, antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent (DEET), and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).
The following items are optional:
Spare laces
Sleeping bag liner
Swimwear
Trekking poles
Camera, media, spare batteries
Pocket-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
Repair kit – (eg needle, thread, duct tape)
Fishing tackle (see below)
Thermos flask
Travel clothes
Notes:
Wading Boots:There are many river crossings on this trip. It is not practicable to change footwear for each river crossing and we suggest you bring either: waterproof trekking boots fitted with sealed on ‘Yeti’ gaiters or a pair of wading boots which are comfortable for trekking. Note that wading boots are sold locally at the ‘Chinese Market’ in Yakutsk. A pair of waders which come up to mid-thigh will cost US$15 – 20. If you decide to buy a pair of these boots we strongly recommend you bring comfortable insoles with you. For either of the above combinations you must also have a pair of waterproof overtrousers that you can fit over the boots or waders (i.e. with full length leg zips)
Mosquito hood:We strongly advise that you purchase a mosquito-proof hood. The best quality hoods are available in good outdoor stores but they can also be purchased in Yakutsk. for US$5 – 10
Fishing equipment:During the trip we will supplement our food rations with what we can gather or hunt ourselves, and a large part of our diet will be the fish that abound in the rivers. You should purchase some fishing equipment in Yakutsk. If you are unfamiliar with fishing tackle, your trip leader will assist with purchases. You should allow approximately $10 - $15 for this.
