Nithyam Nachappa
When you’re walking in the wilderness for 7 to 12 days with everything you need on your back, what you carry and how you carry it makes or breaks the experience.
But packing light doesn’t mean compromising. It means thinking smart. It means systems. And it starts with understanding one simple term: Base Weight.
First, Let’s Understand the Lingo (Inspired by Lighten Up! by Don Ladigin)
1. Base Weight
This is the weight of your backpack without food, water, fuel, group gear or any consumables.
Base weight includes your shelter, sleeping system, cooking gear, clothes, first-aid, and other essentials that stay constant, no matter how many days you're out.
At Odyssey, we aim to keep Base Weight under 10 kg. Anything above that? You're entering the realm of traditional backpacking (Base weight > 10 kg), which can weigh you down, literally and mentally.
2. Consumables
This includes things that get used up over time:
- -Food (3-4kg)
- -Water
- -Stove fuel (butane, hexane, etc.)
These vary depending on the duration of your trek.
3. Total Pack Weight = Base Weight + Consumables
For example:
Base Weight: 9 kg
Food & Fuel (for 6 days): 4 kg
Water (2L): 2 kg
→ Pack Weight = 15 kg
Simple? Now here’s the thing: the lighter your base weight, the more freedom you have to move, adapt, and actually enjoy the trail instead of dragging yourself through it.
Our sweet spot: Ultralight. It allows for speed, safety, and comfort
Think in Systems (Not Just Gear Lists)
We organize gear into systems, so you pack intentionally:
1. Shelter System
-Tent / Tarp / Groundsheet (Shared when possible to cut weight)
2. Sleeping System
-Sleeping bag (season-rated)
-Sleeping pad
-Optional liner for hygiene or warmth
3. Food System
-Lightweight aluminum utensils
-Stove setup (MSR WhisperLite, butane/hexane)
-Shared cookware for team efficiency
-Fuel + water-efficient meals (pasta, dal-chawal, dehydrated food)
All gear fits together into a well-oiled setup that prioritizes function, durability, and ease of use.
Tips to Remember While Packing for a Himalayan Backpacking Trip
-Weight should be 20–25% of your body weight, ideally under 12 kg (excluding water).
-Pack in layers: Think in terms of base, mid, and outer layers. Weather changes fast in the Himalayas.
-Always test gear at home: Do a full dry-run. Know your setup.
-Don’t pack for “what ifs”, train for them: Learn survival skills instead of overloading gear.
-Practice packing before you come. Know where each item goes. The trail is no place to fumble.
-Dry bags, not polythene: Keep your gear dry, organized, and fast to access.
-Eat smart, not heavy: Every item in your food bag should be calorie-dense and simple to prepare.
Well, here's a packing checklist
