Gear for Hiking in Kyrgyzstan
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHOOSING GEAR AND CLOTHING FOR HIKING
When going on a hike, it is important to take everything necessary to make your rest as pleasant and comfortable as possible, but at the same time, not to overdo it. Otherwise, the price for this will be a heavy backpack, and besides personal items, there should also be space for food, and you need to carry all this in mountainous terrain.
For your convenience, we have compiled a brief list of items for hiking.
Backpack – for men 70-80 liters, for women – 50-60 liters, for children under 15 years – up to 30 liters. Backpacks with a volume of less than 40 liters for an adult are very impractical: they hold very little, and you have to attach a lot on the outside. This is quite inconvenient, as it shifts the center of gravity of the backpack, items get caught on bushes, and other inconveniences arise. All modern backpacks have an anatomical structure, and you can adjust the shoulder straps and belt according to your height and figure. Your instructor will always help you with this.
A rain cover for the backpack will be useful in case of rain. The cover sometimes comes with the backpack, but it can also be purchased separately in tourist shops. An alternative to the cover can be a rain poncho, which will protect both the backpack and its owner from the rain.
Tent – this is our home for the duration of the hike, and this home must be reliable. The tent must be double-layered: a flysheet and the tent itself. The poles in tents come in two types: fiberglass and aluminum. The second option is more preferable, as they have better wind resistance, reliability, and lower weight. The recommended weight for a 2-person tent is up to 3 kg.
Sleeping bag should have an appropriate temperature rating (marked as t comfort). For autumn and spring hikes in Crimea and summer hikes in the Caucasus, it is good to sleep in a sleeping bag with a comfort temperature from -7⁰C to +5⁰C. For summer hikes in Crimea, a sleeping bag rated for +10…+15⁰C will suffice. There are two main types of sleeping bags: cocoon and blanket. The cocoon has a more anatomical structure, thus it has less free space inside and the weight of the sleeping bag is less compared to a "blanket." A hood on the sleeping bag is essential for hikes in cold weather! For couples, zip-together or double sleeping bags are an excellent option.
Tourist mat. A mat helps soften the sleeping surface and insulates the body from the cold ground. The most practical option for hiking is a foam mat ("foam"), and if carried in a special protective cover, it will serve you for a long time. There are also self-inflating mats, which are more comfortable for sleeping. However, they are significantly heavier than the "foam" and very sensitive to various types of damage and punctures.
Raincoat should be spacious and easy to put on over several layers of clothing; there are options that can also be thrown over the backpack. A polyethylene raincoat is a lightweight and economical option, although not particularly durable. More reliable and durable raincoats are made from special water-repellent fabric, their price is significantly higher, and they are sold in any tourist shop.
Footwear must be comfortable and well-broken in, which will minimize the likelihood of blisters.
For summer hikes in Kyrgyzstan, lightweight, breathable sneakers with good traction or trekking sandals with a closed toe will suffice.
For autumn-spring hikes – trekking boots, which provide good ankle support, reducing the likelihood of sprains and bruises while walking. Many modern boots are made from water-repellent and breathable materials (Gortex, Tentex, etc.).
Using such footwear in combination with gaiters, which prevent moisture, snow, and dirt from entering the top of the boot, will keep your feet dry while moving through snowdrifts and in heavy rain.
Take off the gaiters, and your feet are clean and dry! Gaiters are especially relevant for hikes in Kyrgyzstan and other regions where there is a high likelihood of precipitation, as well as in winter hikes. They are not needed for summer hikes in Crimea.
Spare footwear: lightweight flip-flops or sandals. After long treks, it is very pleasant to free your feet and let them "breathe." Flip-flops are very convenient for walking around the camp, you can go for a swim in them and not worry about getting them wet – they dry quickly. Footwear like "crocs" is also convenient, as they can be worn with warm socks and won't get your feet wet from wet grass. "Crocs" are especially relevant for transitional season hikes in Kyrgyzstan.
We definitely do not recommend taking flip-flops or thongs with you. As practice shows, this type of footwear is less reliable and comfortable for hiking.
Trekking poles reduce the load on the knee joints. When climbing, they compensate for about 30% of the total load on the knees, and when descending – 15%. They really make it easier to walk, you just need to get used to them. Often, poles help maintain balance on difficult terrain. Trekking poles are not an essential item for hiking, but they make climbs more comfortable for the body.
Clothing:
- Jacket (storm jacket) with a hood made of membrane or other water-repellent materials;
- A compact down jacket will be useful for hikes in cold weather; a down jacket is not needed for summer hikes;
- Lightweight, non-restrictive pants made of quick-drying material for daily transitions. Waterproof pants are relevant during rainy periods. For hikes in cold weather and mountains above 2000 m, insulated or ski pants;
- Shorts or convertible pants, the main criterion is comfort;
- Socks made of natural materials (cotton, linen) or trekking socks that effectively wick moisture and retain warmth even when wet. For high-altitude hikes and in cold weather, wool or thermal socks will be useful;
- Fleece jacket or sweater (Polartec) – an excellent combination of minimal weight and good thermal insulation properties;
- T-shirts with short and long sleeves. A few t-shirts for a 9-day hike is quite enough. The material of the t-shirts should be cotton or polyester (thermal material), which quickly wicks moisture and retains warmth;
- Headwear. In warm weather, this can be a cap, bandana, or wide-brimmed hat, and in cold weather or high altitudes, a warm hat is also necessary;
- Sunglasses and sunscreen;
- Underwear, and if possible, thermal underwear for spring and autumn hikes, swimwear, swimsuit.
Personal hygiene items – only the essentials: a small towel, toothbrush and toothpaste, soap and shampoo in small quantities, lip balm, toilet paper, etc.
Plastic or metal dishes: mug, spoon, bowl.
Flashlight is necessary every day, and since the landscapes change daily, moving around the camp by touch will be unsafe.
Personal first aid kit with medications that you usually use at home, considering personal health features. A general first aid kit is always available with the group leader.
Sitting pad – an indispensable attribute in any hike. With it, you can always sit comfortably on cold stones, damp logs, or just the ground.
Water container with a volume of 1-1.5 liters for quenching thirst during breaks while hiking. A lightweight and accessible option is a bottle from mineral water.
Camera is obviously necessary. The main thing is to take care of spare batteries in advance, as there are no sockets in the mountains. For professional photographers, we recommend balancing the weight of photographic equipment with the volume of the backpack and your physical capabilities, to take only the essentials.
For tourists
