Sarthak Madan

Three months of being stuck in Delhi nursing a recently repaired shoulder had ensured by the time we reached Guwahati from the capital, I was itching to get my legs moving. Our plan was to cycle to Ta

The Satopanth Lake trek starts from Mana, the closest village to the Indo - Tibetan border in Chamoli, a few kilometers ahead of the popular pilgrimage site of Badrinath. The area around Mana and the

“Screw this, I’m never coming back here again. Kalindi Khal is much better than this shit show”, Depender, our guide, calls out as he enters the kitchen tent. Kamal grunts in agreeme

I’d been in Leh almost a month now and having returned from Kang Yatse more than a week ago, I had an acute case of nothing-to-do. Lala’s (a former monk’s home turned into an ar

WHY The sun giveth and the sun taketh away. While the sun is the primary source of energy for all life, it’s kind of a two faced frenemy. Solar emissions consist of visible light and heat - ve

The FIRST AID modules provide information on caring for injuries and sickness in a backcountry environment when you are hours or even days away from definitive medical care, with focus on wh

The FIRST AID modules provide information on caring for injuries and sickness in a backcountry environment when you are hours or even days away from definitive medical care, with focus on wh

How to use Gaiters 101   Bikat's HOW TO USE series provides information about how to choose and use trekking or climbing equipment like backpacks, boots, gaiters, microspikes and a lot mor

TRAILCRAFT is a series of articles and video demonstrations that provide instruction on the fundamental aspects of traveling on trails in wilderness areas, like techniques for ascending and desce

Last week, we told you about protecting yourself from sunburn and worse in our Sun Protection 101 blog. Surprise, surprise - your eyes need protection from harsh UV rays as well. India receives almos

Knowing how to correctly pack your backpack can mean the difference between enjoying and enduring a trek. The video below details the process and principles to keep in mind while packing your backpack

A tent is an important backpacking essential when it comes to camping in the Himalayas. In this article, we have put together a detailed step by step guide on how to pitch a tent. It also contains han

The FIRST AID modules provide information on caring for injuries and sickness in a backcountry environment when you are hours or even days away from definitive medical care, with focus on wh

Bikat's HYDRATION AND NUTRITION series provide information about techniques for backcountry hydration and cooking. This is the first article in the series. Hydration is one of the most impo

Now that you know how to pitch a tent, we’re sure you would love to know how to make your camping experience comfortable. Here are some tips for living in a tent and organising your gear. While

Bikat's HOW TO USE series provides information about how to choose and use trekking or climbing equipment like backpacks, boots, gaiters, microspikes and a lot more. Microspikes are flexible met

The FIRST AID modules provide information on caring for injuries and sickness in a backcountry environment when you are hours or even days away from definitive medical care, with focus on wh

Ascending and Descending on Trails   It is critical to understand the concepts of ascending and descending on varied terrain. This lowers the risks of falls, stumbles, strain, and sprains along

Bikat's HOW TO CHOOSE series provides information about how to choose and use trekking or climbing equipment like backpacks, boots, gaiters, microspikes and a lot more.

Glaciers are water bodies made of dense ice that is continuously moving - rivers of ice - and are formed in regions where accumulation of snow in winter exceeds the rate of ablation (melting). Since t

Bikat's CAMPCRAFT series provides instruction on the fundamental aspects of camping in the Himalayan wilderness. The outdoors are a major source of recreation and livelihood for all of us at

Kang La V/S Auden's Col   If you’ve been hiking for a few years, you’ve probably heard of Auden’s Col. The holy grail of trekking in the Western Himalayas - this impossibly hi

Precautions and Planning on Pin Parvati Pass Trek The Pin Parvati Pass trek is a brilliant crossover trail from the lush Kullu valley to Spiti’s arid expanse. As opposed to most Indian Himalaya

Tso Moriri is a large high altitude lake in Ladakh, on the eastern extension of the Changthang plateau. 26 km long, it is the largest of the big Ladakh lakes entirely in India, surrounded by the gigan

FIVE REASONS TO DO THE KANG LA TREK I started writing this article calling it 5 hundred reasons to do Kang La, because honestly, if I tried hard enough I believe I could list as many. In the interest

10 TIPS FOR STAYING WARM IN HIMALAYAN WINTERS One thing I’ve learned after our recent snowshoeing trek in the depth of Kashmir winters is that you’re always going to be some degree of col

Your choice of trekking shoes can make your trek a blissful or blister-full experience based on how well it fits you. A good pair of trekking shoes is the most essential piece of equipment you will us