How to vlog while Hiking? - 7 valuable Tips

Vlog while hiking may be difficult, and it isn't as easy as it appears, given exhaustion after trekking, cold and terrible weather, and so on. It is not as simple as pulling out your camera and hitting the record button. Despite the fact that this is the greatest way to begin. I'm not a vlogging specialist, but I've gone on seven weeklong Himalayan treks as of this writing, and these days I make it a point to vlog while hiking each day and share my experience on YouTube. So, in this blog article, I'll provide some vlog while hiking tips that are ideal if you're thinking about doing the same.

Vlog while hiking with an Engaging Story

An excellent outdoor video is more than just a collection of shots and events arranged in numerical order. Instead, your experiences must be reshaped into a compelling and intelligible narrative. Include what to expect along the way, as well as whether or not the trek or excursion was enjoyable. The roadblocks you encountered and how you overcame them.

A story's basic structure is straightforward: it has a beginning, a middle, and an end. You begin by introducing your audiences to your personalities (simply you or your buddies), the scene (the route you're hiking, what to expect, and how long it will take), and your goals (to reach destination campsite, to fix something about yourself).

You introduce the hurdles to your aim in the midst of your video. These barriers will build conflict and tension, keeping your viewers watching until the finish. Maintain the suspense by adding additional obstacles or obstacles on top of difficulties. Your vlog while hiking video watch time will rise as a result, and your website's bounce rate will drop.

Finally, discuss the success or failure of your journey, including whether or not you covered all of the locations, the expected vs. reality, whether or not all of them arrived safely, any difficulties with health or any of the hikers, obstacles, and resolutions, and so on.

Take the viewer along

According to Yoast's study and SEO (search engine optimization), it is critical to give viewers a sense of immediacy. Rather than informing your viewers about it later, try to display your vlog while hiking as it happens. If you pay attention to the verb tense you employ while you narrate your video — present, past, or future — you'll know you're "showing" rather than "telling". Present tense will be great as viewers will feel as though they are part of your vlog while hiking.

https://youtu.be/RLU0LDX7hcg

Sandakphu Trek - YouTube playlist.

Here's a tip to help you stay focused in the current moment. When things go wrong, get out your camera. Film the roadblocks to your ambitions as they occur. If you do this, your film will move in real-time rather than being a series of progress reports or end-of-day summaries. This also contributes to the suspense and tension.

Just go out and shoot videos

I understand why many people are afraid to film videos in public. This is more of a beginning issue, similar to trying to start your car on a cold morning. You'll be more like a Formula One racing car once you start vlogging and become acclimated to it. Others in public, on the other hand, are apathetic and do not even care about strangers.

If you are still anxious after all of this, you may walk to a corner or wait for others to go away before beginning to record. To be honest, people are used to seeing other people making different kinds of films, dance and vlogging in public places is not anything you need be concerned about. Vlog when hiking is considerably easier because there aren't many people around.

Talk about the Hiking Trail

The location is an essential component of every storytelling. You should convey a strong feeling of location through your video visuals and commentary. Identifying the trail you're on isn't enough. Instead, attempt to offer enough information so that a reader can pinpoint your exact position on Google Maps. As you can see in the Goa hiking blog postings, I have included Google maps. Geographical borders, important landmarks, bodies of water, mile markers, and so on should all be named and described. 

Sandakphu Trek, India

Also, mention the trial's condition. As you can see in this Kashmir Great Lakes day 2 blog article, I started traversing three woods, and in the Sandakphu hiking from Samanden to Molley, these movies contain clear pictures of where you are, turns, significant sites, and so on.

Vlog while hiking even if it's bad weather

Vlogging when trekking in severe weather might be quite difficult. Most hikers wind up burying their costly photographic equipment deep within their backpack. This is where I employ smaller waterproof cameras, like as the DJI Action, a GoPro, or a smartphone. I also use my monopod as a trekking pole, which has shown to be effective in practically all of my outdoor activities. Check out this video to know more on what's inside my camera bag. Give importance to Mic. You do not need an expensive camera to vlog, start with your basic android phone or an iPhone. Practice, make it consistent to upload videos, and then start upgrading.

https://youtu.be/u7oIqM5vOgc

Include people for better Storytelling

Building a personal brand is important, but while vlogging, having only you all the time may make your video dull to viewers, and viewers may simply drop out. To prevent this, add other trekkers, local guides, trek leaders, their hiking stories, interaction with locals in the mountains and distant villages, local food, your stay or visit to the local hamlet or hut, and the lives of local people in the mountains, include these in your vlog while hiking.

Instead of merely presenting the normal trekking trail, this will make your storytelling more intriguing. It took some time for me, and as I learned how to produce better clips, I kept adding additional features. Feel free to experiment with new ideas and check Google or YouTube analytics to measure your success. 

Do not fake it - Be Authentic

What people want to see is a real-life person dealing with real-life problems. That's why they're watching your hiking videos rather than something polished on OTT applications like Man Vs Wild. It's not only acceptable but also required of you to adopt the YouTube vlogging philosophy. You are not creating a documentary film, but rather a YouTube video.

Don't be embarrassed to identify as a vlogger. The finest YouTube vlogs, not the best Bollywood documentaries, should be your models. Tell your tale as much as possible through photographs and short films. Fill up the blanks with your narrative. Use soft music rather than EDM or heavy metal. While editing, add music based on the mood of the video.

Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter. Consider subscribing to my YouTube channel.

11 ideas to think like a Professional Photographer

During my early days of photography, I used to wonder how two individuals could take a shot of the same subject and have one seem mediocre while the other appears magnificent, despite the fact that both photographs were captured at the same time of day with the same lighting, etc. In this blog article, I'll provide some helpful ideas to think like a professional photographer.

Ideas to think like a Professional Photographer

What does shooting low mean in photography?

The great majority of photographs are taken at eye level. One technique for creating a dynamic image is to get down on your belly and photograph with your camera practically touching or put on the ground. The seashell was photographed by putting the camera only a centimeter above the ground, as shown in the image above. Be cautious since dust and sand particles might easily penetrate your camera or lens.

Shoot High - Shooting from above

Shooting low is simple since most individuals have little trouble going down to the ground. When shooting from an elevated position, you will need a ladder or a monopod to lift your camera over your head to obtain the top perspective. You may have noticed this in product or food photography. But nowadays, you can use a drone for outdoor photography, and you can get really creative with shooting high and making it appear like an image obtained by a true professional photographer. As you can see, this shot was taken late at night while standing on the brink of a building.

Capture Cityscape during Nightfall https://t.co/Mzl5kg5Lyo pic.twitter.com/Ihb23sa0Ra

— Ravindra Joisa (@ravindrajoisa) August 18, 2017

Leading Lines in Photography

The most compelling images have leading lines that run from foreground to background, driving the viewer’s attention into the picture. You’re actually teasing the viewer’s imagination. Consider yourself the viewer of a picture as you capture it. How you may examine the image and travel across it. It’s wonderful to have something at the end of these lines as a subject. Leading lines is one of the most efficient methods to create a striking composition is to use leading lines. Read more on leading lines to capture stunning photos where you will get ideas to think like a Professional Photographer and how well you can use the leading lines to capture stunning images.

What's Up? - Point the camera Upwards

Remember to search things up. When out shooting, photographers sometimes overlook the fact that aiming the lens straight up may provide some of the most fascinating images. Make it a practice to glance up to see what's above you. The tall vertical trees recorded in this sample were photographed at Muir Wood Forest in California. Other ideas to think like a Professional Photographer with the camera upwards would be to stand in between buildings and capture something high above like an airplane.

Muir Wood Forest, California, US. Photo Copyright: Ravindra Joisa

Why is framing important in photography?

Composing a picture is vital, and framing is one approach to capture the attention of viewers or produce a good image. If you capture a shot without framing, it will seem quite flat in comparison to an image taken with a frame when composing. A photograph without a frame is just another regular photograph. Read more here on Using Framing in Composition.

What is the purpose of a foreground?

The foreground, like the backdrop, plays a vital role in the composition. The foreground of an image acts as an introduction, helping to create the tone for the remainder of the image. It's the first thing that catches our eye and draws us into the picture.

River crossing in the Himalayan slopes. #travel #india #trekking https://t.co/1vHNRZCUEn pic.twitter.com/3r3zlR9TkK

— Ravindra Joisa (@ravindrajoisa) December 11, 2015

Dead Centre composition

If your subject is in the middle of the frame, it typically indicates that the composition is lifeless because that's where the subject is in most amateur photos. The rule of thirds states that your subject should be placed 1/3 of the way from one of the frame's corners, but I just prefer to make sure that my subject is not centered. However, it is sometimes preferable to have it dead center in order to appear professional. The surrounds, the wooden railings present in the building on both sides of the central stupa, and even the cloud, leading towards the center of the photo in the image below.

Isolate the Interesting subject

Just because something caught your eye and made you want to capture a frame doesn't imply the viewer would be pulled to the same spot. Why not isolate what catches your eye into a separate frame to more effectively show the audience what you want them to see? I made good use of the wide aperture here to make the backdrop blurry and only the subject in focus.

What time of the day is best for photography?

Professional photographers seek for the last hour before sunset and the first hour after daybreak. These hours, known as "the golden hour" or "magic hour," give the ideal light for taking spectacular photographs. Every photographer may benefit from learning how to use the golden hour. A lens with a greater aperture, such as f2.8, will enable more light to enter the sensor.

Long Exposure Photography

Long exposure is a method that involves leaving the shutter open for a longer period of time than normal. This enables us to record the motion of a moving element or more light from a night scene. When the shutter speed is slower than 1/60th of a second, it is termed long exposure in photography. The following photograph was taken at sunset, as the silky smooth sea waves were developing. The image below depicts a star trail caught using a particularly long exposure, in which the shutter is left open for a prolonged period of time. It is recommended to have a high-quality camera with a decent sensor and low-light capability.

Shoot at Dark

Making photographs at night is an unusual habit. While experts in this field have profound enthusiasm for it and a never-ending drive for technical and artistic improvement, individuals more accustomed to daytime photography are sometimes unaware that tried and true photographic standards must often be changed or even ignored at night. It is difficult to concentrate on a subject at night. Also, experiment with no flash and lengthy exposure. Continue experimenting with different settings and you will be astounded by the results. You can go super creatives if you are looking for ideas to think like a Professional Photographer under dark or low light.

To conclude, the subject might be average, but it all depends on the way you capture it. Just having an expensive camera will not make you a better photographer, but the way you look at things, the angle used in capturing the subject of interest matters. So, think like a Professional Photographer and keep experimenting with new ideas that you learn from other photographers.

Related: Power of Light

Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post on ideas to think like a Professional Photographer. Leave a comment below if you have more ideas. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter. Consider subscribing to my YouTube channel.

Cycling Expedition crossing highest pass with an incredible landscape in 5 days

This is a weeklong Himalayan high altitude mountain biking or cycling expedition organized by the Youth Hostel Association of India. There are many youth hostel India national programs every year and this is one among them. The experience that you gain is something incredible.

YHAI National Himalayan Mountain Biking Leh itinerary

(LEH-LAMAYURU - SKURBUCHAN - SAKAR-2 - HENISKOT - FOTULA PASS - LAMAYURU - LEH
Day-01: Reporting At Leh (11,500 Ft.) (Jimmy Guest House)
Day-02: Acclimatization & Orientation (Transfer To Main Base Camp Lamayuru)
Day-03: Equipment Distribution & Bike Trial Riding
Day-04: Ride to Skurbuchan (43 Km, 9750 Ft,)
Day-05: Ride to Sakar-2 (38 Km, Via Sanjak, 10.550 Ft)
Day-06: Ride To Heniskot(Chulungthan) (25 km.Via.Khangral ,11.400 Ft)
Day-07: Ride to Lamayuru ( 27 Km, crossing Fotula Pass 13,450 Ft. )
Day-08: Transfer to Leh Camp.
Day-09: Camp breaks after Breakfast (09-00 a.m.)

Leh to Lamayuru - Day 1

Day one of the mountain biking expedition in Leh was more of travel from the main base camp at Leh to Lamayuru camp (starts from day 3 in the above itinerary list). On reaching Lamayuru camp we practiced for a while and went for an acclimation ride at Lamayuru village, just before sunset. The national mountain biking expedition event organized by the youth hostels association of India, YHAI is exceptionally good. Read More on - Leh to Lamayuru mountain biking.

Moonland to Skurbuchan – Day 2

Day two of the mountain biking expedition is from Lamayuru to Skurbuchan via Domkhar. The first 5 kilometers are all downhill, covering Moonland and multiple hairpin curves. The rest of the route is all flat, on the banks of the Indus river. We stopped at Domkhar for lunch and visited the Rock Art sanctuary. Post lunch we continued our cycling all the way to our next campsite at Skurbuchan. More on - Lamayuru to Skurbuchan

Skurbuchan to Shakar via Sanjak– Day 3

Day three of our cycling, from Skurbuchan to Shakar was another exciting one. Cycling next to the Indus river, the amazing landscape, cycling through the apricot farmland, river crossing, cycling next to the stream, cycling downhill and extremely tiring uphill followed by camping next to the stream. More on - Skurbuchan to Shakar

4000 years old Domkhar Rock Art Sanctuary

Domkhar rock art sanctuary is located at Domkhar village in Leh, next to the banks of the Indus river. The place is known for artwork that was made by travelers in pre-historic times. People in this region grow apricot and apple, which is the main source of income. This place is for those who love the historic artwork by our great ancestors. There are numerous rock-carved figures, thought to date back between 2000 and 4000 years.

Sakar to Haniskot – Day 4

Our stay in a guest house next to the stream at Sakar was great fun. We explored the place and started cycling, crossing small villages, till we reached national highway 1. The landscape around is so beautiful and looks like a painting with high contrast. The landscape is so unique, the soil erosion forms unique structures, untouched by humans. The mountains in the background, the green patch in between, and the river in the foreground look very much like the one from our primary school painting class textbooks. On day 4 we covered a distance of 38 kilometers from Sakar 2 to Haniskot via Sanjak. More on Sakar to Haniskot

Kanji – An Extraordinary village with some amazing people

Kanji is a Himalayan village that is incredibly secluded. The settlement is roughly 12 kilometers from Haniskot, which is located on the NH1 Kargil-Leh route and is only accessible for four months of the year. Kanji is well-known for its harsh scenery and the perilous path between Haniskot and Kanji. More on this remote village Kanji.

Haniskot to Lamayuru via Fotu La - Day 5

The first half of the day is all uphill cycling all the way to Fotu La (pass) also called TV tower. The view from this place is breathtaking. It was drizzling and was super cold. From here it is all the way downhill to Lamayuru with a viewpoint in between. It was so cold that my fingers were numb, literally frozen, and couldn't even change gear while riding. Did not have to press hard on pedals as it was all downhill. By the way, Fotu La s the highest point in this high altitude mountain biking expedition organized by the YHAI - Youth Hostel India.

Mountain Biking video playlist

Here is the complete playlist of High altitude mountain biking or the Lamayuru cycling expedition. You will get a feel of how the place is and how enjoyable the place is, showing some of the extreme landscapes.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBtUUJUvar6rgtkL-WsWPY4t3ni4pgCIc

Mountain Bikes used

If you are with Youth Hostel then the gear cycles or MTBs will be provided and is part of the fee that you pay. Else, here are some of the mountain bikes that I would recommend - Firefox, Decathlon BTWIN, Polygon. I have been using Polygon and you may want to check how good it is in the blog post Cycling at Turahalli Forest.

Here is a playlist that I have created for each of those days and the 2 off-track places that we covered. One of the best cycling expeditions I have ever been to and made many new friends.

That’s was my experience of traveling to this place. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter.

Battling the highest pass of Fotu La - Cycling Expedition - Day 5

The first half of the day is all uphill cycling all the way to Fotu La (pass) also called TV tower. The view from this place is breathtaking. It was drizzling and was super cold. From here it is all the way downhill to Lamayuru with a viewpoint in between. It was so cold that my fingers were numb, literally frozen, and couldn't even change gear while riding.

Did not have to press hard on pedals as it was all downhill. By the way, Foto La s the highest point in this high altitude mountain biking expedition organized by the YHAI - Youth Hostel India. By the way, currently the program is known by the name Lamayuru Cycling Expedition.

Exploring Haniskot and Kanji

We had arrived in Haniskot the day before from Sakar and slept overnight in the Haniskot government guest house, which was still under construction at the time of my visit. We visited a secluded village called Kanji because we arrived early and had plenty of time to explore. It is a unique community filled with monasteries and kind people. If you're in Haniskot, you should definitely pay this establishment a visit.

Cycling uphill to Fotu La

The climb uphill to Fotu La had consumed all of our time on this particular day. The terrain is arid and seems desert-like, and the intense light may quickly tan your skin. Fortunately, the brilliant blue sky turned gloomy within an hour of leaving Haniskot. This made our uphill riding less strenuous. On the ride up to the Fotu La TV tower, there were a few little stores selling cool beverages and snacks.

Pass Crossing near Fotu La

By the time I got to the top, what had started as a drizzle had developed into severe rain. I was absolutely soaked, and the very cold weather made uphill riding and gear switching much more difficult. As you can see in the video, there is no protection of any type at the pass, so I had to seek cover behind a truck and begin my descent swiftly despite the rain.

Fotu La, also known as Fatu La, is a mountain pass on the Srinagar-Leh route in India's Zanskar Range in the Himalayas. It is the highest point on the roadway, at 4,108 metres, exceeding the famous Zoji La. Fotu La is one of two high mountain crossings that connect Leh and Kargil. The other is Namika La.

https://youtu.be/LybQElP1irk

Lamayuru Moonland of Ladakh

Cycling at Lamayuru

When you gaze at the distinctive terrain of Lamayuru, it is both enchanting and amazing. This is commonly referred to as the 'Moonland of Ladakh' or simply Lamayuru Moonland. It is located in Lamayuru, a community located around 100 kilometres from Leh on the Kargil-Leh route. The moon-like terrain is unusual and is thought to have been formed by the drying of a large lake. We were ecstatic because it looked stunning, and for a little minute, we thought we were in an other nation.

Moonland, Lamayuru, Ladakh, India

The landscapes on the journey from Leh to Lamayuru are breathtaking, and we wanted to stop at every moment. Lamayuru is also well-known for its ancient monastery. Some pieces are in fair shape, while others have been well kept. There are just a few homestays here, and one of them is directly outside the monastery gate. Needless to say, the view from the monastery and on the route up to the monastery is spectacular. Further down the road, is a ground where we camped. After completing the Lamayuru cycling expedition, we attempted the Zanskar river rafting, wich was even more adventurous where one of our rafts capsized.

Lamayuru Camp

That’s was my experience of traveling to this place. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter.

National Memorial Chorten - A magnificent peaceful structure

Memorial Chorten is one of Thimphu's most recognizable landmarks and is located in the city's center. Throughout the day, visitors will see old Bhutanese folks circumambulating the Chorten. Chorten literally means "Seat of Faith," and Buddhists typically refer to such structures as the "Mind of Buddha." With its beautiful murals and detailed sculptures, the Chorten is an outstanding example of Buddhist architecture and artwork.

National Memorial Chorten entrance

Who built Thimphu chorten?

The chorten's construction has been created to show it as "one of Thimphu's most conspicuous religious buildings." The Memorial Chorten, located in the center of the city, is a Tibetan-style chorten, also known as the Jangchup Chorten, modeled like a classical stupa, with a pyramidal pillar capped by a crescent moon and sun.  It was erected in 1974 in memory of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 3rd Druk Gyalpo.

The distinctive characteristic here is the outward flaring of the rounded section to provide the appearance of a vase (a pyramidal shape), as opposed to a dome shape. The chorten portrays a great number of larger-than-life representations of wrathful deities with their feminine consorts.

Memorial Chorten Architecture

The chorten is a big white tower crowned by a golden spire and a smaller golden spire over the front porch. It is accessed by a tiny garden and a gate with three slate carvings. The three guardian bodhisattvas – Avalokitesvara (the symbol of compassion), Majur (the symbol of wisdom), and Vajrapi (the sign of strength – are depicted on the gate's exterior. Slates depicting images of Ngawang Namgyal, Gautama Buddha, and Padmasambhava are carved on the inside.

To the left are large prayer wheels. On a daily basis, many elderly Bhutanese visit the chorten to circumambulate it, whirl the big red prayer wheels, and pray before the shrine. It has four gates, but only one is available to devotees who wish to visit the shrine. To the left are large prayer wheels. On a daily basis, many elderly Bhutanese visit the chorten to circumambulate it, whirl the big red prayer wheels, and pray before the shrine. It has four gates, but only one is available to devotees who wish to visit the shrine.

The Chorten is circumambulated solely in a clockwise orientation (reciting prayers and whirling the enormous red prayer wheels), as is the case with other religious sites in Bhutan. The Monlam Prayer Festival is celebrated here, and the Je Khenpo (Bhutan's religious leader) addresses and blesses all who gather for the event.

Where is the National Memorial Chorten?

The National Memorial Chorten is located at the Thimphu City Centre in Bhutan. You can drive all the way to this place. Other tourists attraction in Thimphu include the Dzong, the World’s largest mountaintop statue of Buddha Dordenma, Thangka painting gallery. In addition, there are other tourist attractions like the historic house full of artifacts, monasteries, traditional paper mill, etc. Also, read Top 10 Spectacular places to visit in Bhutan and if you are interested in knowing even more in detail then the best guide would be Lonely Planet Bhutan.

Here in this place, you will find a lot of elderly people near the gain prayer wheels. If you are into Portrait photography then these people can be an ideal subject. Just make sure to request them if it is ok to capture their photos.

We visited the Memorial Chorten early in the morning and went further to Dochula Pass and unique monastery by the name Chimi Lhakhang. That's was my experience of traveling to this place. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter.

Absolute mandatory Hiking Accessories to carry

Having the right hiking accessories is super important to have a pleasant hassle-free experience. I have been on multiple weeklong high-altitude Himalayan treks in the last few years. And in this blog post, I will be sharing all of these details based on my experience of trekking in the mountains.

At Satsar campsite with my 60 liters backpack, Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, Kashmir, India

Trekking Backpack - 60L

Having a good quality trekking backpack of min 60 liters is one of the most important hiking accessories. Do not blindly get some random backpack that is not designed for your back. This is an important point to consider when you are carrying your backpack and that too for a week-long trek. If you are suffering from back pain then you might want to consider offloading the backpack. I usually offload my bag as I carry another 8 kgs of a camera backpack.

Hiking Daypack - 10L

Hiking daypack is mainly used when you go around the campsite for a short hike and to carry some of the hiking accessories like water bottles, a small point-and-shoot camera, etc. If you planning to offload your main trekking backpack then the daypack will be one of the mandatory hiking accessories.

Trekking Shoes

Blisters are a common thing when you go on long hikes and this happens when your legs are not comfortable with the shoes that you are wearing. You can either rent shoes if you are not into regular hiking or if you are concerned about hygiene and love to hike more often then I would highly recommend buying Forclaz 500 shoes which are ideal for hiking. You can easily use these shoes for at least 8 to 10 Himalayan weeklong treks. The shoe may be used even in snow or rain as it is waterproof and provides good breathing.

Clothing

• For a week-long trek, I would recommend having 2 or max 3 full-sleeve shirts. Full sleeve to avoid skin tan. Covering your body is the best way to avoid tanning than any cream.

Pant made into shorts while crossing a stream during the 10 days hike in Goa, India.

• Also, have 2 quick-dry pants that are convertible to shorts. Converting it to shorts is super helpful when you want to spend time at the campsite or while crossing the stream etc. These 2-in-1 pants are a bit expensive but totally worth it.

Cold weather Clothing

• Duck feather full-arm down jacket is a must for sub-zero or temperatures of below 5 degrees.
• Cold weather woolen gloves. Also, on top of this have a waterproof gloves.
• Inner thermals one pair or max 2 for a weeklong trek. You wear thermals only at campsite and not while hiking. Even if it cold in the mornings, just have a wind proof jacket and not a down jacket or thermals.
• Do not cover your ears with cotton. You will get acclamatized sooner without them at higher altitudes. Instead have a woolen cap or a simple biker's mask will do.

Ravindra Joisa in front of Tarsar Lake, Kashmir, India

Swiss Knife

Swiss Knife or similar knife from other brands. Always must-have hiking accessories where ever you go. There are many cheaper models with almost similar features. Make sure it has a knife, scissors, screwdrivers, etc.

Wet weather hiking accessories

• Rain cover for your backpack or camera bag.
• Wind proof jacket for morning and evening cold weather while hiking. Also it can act as rain cover too.
• Or you can go for a Poncho, not that comfortable like having a wind proof jacket but you can quickly wear it in no time if there is a sudden rainfall. Poncho can cover your top portion of the body along with your daypack.

Biker's Mask or Head Band

The most underrated inexpensive hiking accessories. I use it all the time to prevent myself from burning the sun to avoid skin tan than using the expensive SPF sunscreen creams. These are super breathable, you just need to get used to it a bit. Decathlon has some super thin and quick dry Biker's mark for a low price. You can even use it from wind to cover your ears and also as a headscarf. Check out the video below.

https://youtu.be/TT-FnH6a8ME

Sunglasses

Have good quality sunglasses especially if you prefer winter treks under heavy snow. All this can also help you with skin tan or dark circles around your eyes usually seen after the trek. With the headband and sunglasses, your face will usually be covered fully, and on top, you have the suncap.

Suncap

When you consider a suncap, it is not just any other cap. The one that is made specifically for trekkers is an ideal thing to buy. It has an extended skirt on the backside covering your neck. Also, if it is cold at campsites you might want to cover your head with a woolen cap.

Sleeping Bag Liner

A sleeping bag liner is not one of the mandatory hiking accessories, but I would highly recommend carrying one if you are concerned about hygiene. These days even the liners are provided by hiking groups but they are not lightweight and take a lot of space. The one that is mentioned can be folded to the size of a mobile phone and is super light and keeps you warm.

On the way to Bagwabasa campsite, Roopkund trek, Uttarakhand, India

Headlamp

It is better to carry a headlamp than a torch. Not just any other headlamp but a good one where you can switch between regular light and night (red/blue) light, useful when you are in a group.

Hiking Pole

The hiking pole provides additional balance and support. Having 2 will be ideal and perfect. Research says, using of hiking pole will improve your performance while hiking in not just providing balance but along you can hike for longer distances.

Other Hiking Accessories

Other trekking accessories include:

• Plastic covers for used, unused, or wet cloths. Also, to keep you camera batteries and powerbanks full charged. Cold weather can drain your battery. You may want to check my cold weather photography essentials article.
• Carry a lunch box, a mug and a spoon. Stainless steel leakproof lunch box for packed lunch. You need not carry a plate and use the same for having breakfast and dinner too or for having coffee or tea. Avoid the plastic lunchbox as it is hard to clean the greasy food items. Also, the metal box will keep you warm when hot food is served.
• High Strength Elastic Tying Rope with Hooks. This can be used to tie just about anything or to dry your cloths or wet socks at your campsite etc.
• Socks - have one for each day. Wollen socks for cold weather. Make sure to keep the used socks outide the tent as a good hygiene practice or in a plastic cover
• Have your first aid kit handy with tablets like cetirizine, Dolo 650, Electral Powder etc
• Have a small piece of spong as big as the one used for dishwasher. This is for spong bath as it is hard to take bath while hiking under cold weather.
• Keep your toiletry kit as small as possible. Carry only the necessities: a toothbrush, toothpaste, tiny soap, toilet paper, a little moisturiser, lip balm, and a roll-on deodorant. Because you won't be able to take a bath on the walk, don't stock up on soaps and shampoos. Carry miniature-sized items.
• Hydration pack or water bottles, 1 or 2 liters should be fine. Usually mountain waters are clean and you usually do not need any filters.
• Sunscreen just doesn't work, I believe it is more of a marketing gimmick to sell cold cream as per my experience. Also, even if it does you need to apply 5 times a day at regular intervals which is hard. Have cold cream instead and a lip balm and apply the balm frequently.
• Mandatory documents, ID proof for forest entry.

Fresh snow, season's first snowfall at Tarsar campsite, Kashmir, India

In addition to this, if you are going solo, you might want to get many more things like cooking gas, food items, a tent, a sleeping bag, safety gear, etc. But, the one mentioned above is when you go on a hike with some hiking groups like Indiahikes or Trek the Himalayas, etc.

https://youtu.be/-ulRUS1n8o4

Carrying Camera Heavy Gear is a terrible IDEA while Trekking in groups

Note that this is not a sponsored post and most of the trekking accessories have been carefully selected after experimenting with these products in the last 7 Himalayan weeklong treks that I have completed and also weeklong treks in western ghats in southwest India. Something that I use for at least another 7 Himalayan treks. If you find this information useful then consider buying me a coffee to support my work and join my friendzone for more stories.

Kunzum Pass with incredible and stupendous views

This picturesque gateway that leads to the Lahaul and Spiti valleys is well-known among motorcycle enthusiasts. The Kunzum Pass, also known as Kunzum La, is one of India's highest motorable mountain passes, standing at 14,931 feet (Kunzum pass altitude) above sea level in Himachal Pradesh. A huge number of bikers come to this location to enjoy the most thrilling ride across Kunzum Pass's beautiful entryway. The Goddess Kunzum (Durga/Devi/Parvati) mandir, which is located on the top of Kunzum and guards the pass and wards off the bad force, is also well-known.

High altitude meadows at Kumzum pass

How to get to Kunzum Pass?

Kunzum pass is located halfway between the famous tourist destinations of Manali and Kaza, and it takes nearly half a day to get there. Take the new Atal tunnel from Manali. A left turn after exiting the Atal tunnel will lead you to Leh, which is a picturesque journey. When compared to the Rothang pass, the Atal tunnel will save you at least 3-4 hours of travel time, but you will miss out on the gorgeous route. The Rothang pass path, by the way, is now restricted.

Prayer flags at the entrance of Kunzum Devi temple

At the Atal tunnel's exit, turn right and follow the Chenab river till you reach 'Chacha Chachi' Chandra Dabha. A humorous signboard reads "WiFi Available" in bold letters, followed by a line printed in small letters that reads "27 kilometers ahead." Before visiting Chandra Tal Lake or Kunzum Pass, this is a great area to stop for lunch. Cross the bridge and continue on the gravel road to Kunzum pass, taking no detours unless you intend to see Chandratal Lake, which I feel you should. On the way, you get to visit the place by the name Chhatru which is the last day of the Hampta Pass trek, a beautiful crossover trek from Kullu valley to Chandra Valley.

Kunzum pass to Manali dirt road

The alternative route to the Kunzum pass is from Kaza. You may either take a shared cab for roughly ₹ 500 or board the popular Himachal public bus, which is always jammed. This uneven dirt road drive might be stressful. Only SUVs with high ground clearance and four-wheel drive are suggested for this terrain. Also, as of this writing, there is no fuel station on the road from Manali to Kaza or anywhere near Kunzum pass.

Horse grazing at Kunzum pass

Places around Kunzum Pass

Visitors frequently visit this temple to seek Goddess Durga's blessings and to visit Chandratal Lake, which is only 7 kilometers from Kunzum Pass. However, this brief trip on a dirt road is filled with hairpin twists and is quite risky. People stop here for photography and to see the stunning Bara-Sigri Glacier because the road is so picturesque.

Views of the spectacular Chandra Bhaga mountains, which are covered with snow-capped peaks and large glaciers, as well as the Spiti valley, which features desert-like scenery, can be enjoyed while driving. There are no tourist amenities here; however, travelers can seek lodging or dining options in the nearby community of 'Losar,' which is about 16 kilometers from Kunzum Pass. Also, you might find campsites on the way to Chandratal.

Chandratal Lake - The Alpine Lake

https://youtu.be/h1rUVWy_JKc

Chandrataal - Alpine Lake

The lake of Chandratal is a detour off the main route that connects Batal and Kunzum pass. It should be noted that camping is no longer permitted at Chandratal. The water and the landscape around are stunning. You may drive all the way to Chandratal's parking lot and then take a short trek from there. Hiking around Chandratal can take a long time, and because it is an alpine lake (14,000+ feet), there is a considerable risk of altitude sickness.

Kunzum Pass

Kunzum devi mandir at Kunzum La

The Kunzum Pass, which connects Spiti and Lahaul Valleys, is higher in elevation than Rohtang Pass. Tourists visiting Lahaul, Spiti, and Manali use it as one of the most popular and widely used passes. Prayer flags are easily seen in and around Kunzum Pass, indicating Buddhist influence. Apart from motorcycles, hikers and adventure seekers go to this location to complete the 12 km walk to Chandratal, another renowned destination in the Lahaul and Spiti Valley. Because the pass is at a high height, with strong sunlight/UV rays and severe cold winds, it is recommended that you get acclimatized to high altitude.

https://youtu.be/h25k_4sz2JQ

From Kumzum Pass, you can go further towards Kaza and visit the historic Key Monastry, beautiful Kibber village, go on a summit climb to Kanamo Peak, explore Kibber wildlife sanctuary to see the Himalayan snow leopards, visit the high altitude post office, Chicham suspension bridge and explore the Spiti valley.

I hope you found this blog article interesting. Now that you have gone through the post, will you be adding this to your travel bucket list? Comment below and I will let you know what other places you things you need to know. You might wish to share this post with your like-minded friends and add this destination to your bucket list of places to visit. If you enjoy my work, please consider joining my FriendZone, which is absolutely free, as well as subscribing to my YouTube channel. You may also help me out by buying me a cup of coffee to keep me going.