The ABC Trek or Annapurna Base Camp Trek is truly a mind-blowing travel not to only the whole earth but the entire universe as well. Besides, it takes you through majestic peaks, quiet woods, and attractive villages. The ride is full of happiness and amazement, but the mountain can still be unpredictable. Therefore, you have to keep yourself safe by carrying the correct safety gear.

This guide, as fantastic as it may seem, will clarify the stages in a very simple and easy manner one after another, as if we were explaining to a little child that he is going to have a big adventure for the first time.

Why Safety Equipment Is Important

When you are walking in the city, you almost never think of safety because help is always very close. Nevertheless, in the mountains, the case is totally different. There are no hospitals or big shops close by and at times you may have to walk for several hours to get to a village. Moreover, the weather can change extremely fast - it can be sunny one moment and then cloudy or snowy.

That is the reason why having the right safety equipment with you is like having a little helper. These things defend you, keep you warm, and guarantee that you are able to handle those small issues that are almost becoming big ones.

Your safety equipment does not necessarily mean that it has to be heavy or complicated — it is about smart little things that make your trip safe and less worried.

Basic Things You Must Always Have

One of the most important first safety items is for sure a first aid kit. It is like having a small doctor working together with you. The kit should have bandages, antiseptic cream, and medicines for headaches, fever, colds, stomach problems, and also something for altitude sickness. Even if you are very cautious, you can still get a small cut or a blister, and these items will help you to heal quickly.

Next what is lacking is excellent trekking shoes. Your feet are your best friends on this trip because they are the ones that will take you everywhere. If your shoes are strong, waterproof, and comfortable, you will not be at risk of slipping or twisting your ankles. Bad shoes can make your trek uncomfortable and risky especially if the way is wet or rocky.

Another very important thing is a headlamp or torch. It may be the case that you get to your tea house when it is already dark or you might need to walk early in the morning to see the sunrise.

Keeping Your Body Warm and Safe

Weather in the Annapurna Base Camp region is very changeable, and it is frequent that it changes very rapidly. It might be warm and sunny at the beginning of the trip, but as you are going up it would be cold and windy. Therefore, warm clothes are a must in your safety equipment because they shelter you from the cold and help to stop you from catching a cold.

Typically people wear layers — a light shirt beneath, a warm jacket on the outside, and a waterproof coat over everything. This allows you to put on or take off clothes depending on the weather. A rain jacket or poncho is always useful to have with you because no one can tell when the mountain rain will come.

Also, gloves, a hat, and warm socks should be with you. The fingers, ears, and toes are the parts of the body that get cold fastest and thus keeping them warm helps to avoid frostbite or catching a cold.

Protection From the Sun

Mountain sun rays are more intense than normal because the air is thinner. Even if it is cold, the sun can still harm your skin. So, along with that, sunscreen lotion, sunglasses, and a cap are also safety equipment.

Sunscreen is the protector of the skin, sunglasses are the protector of the eyes from very bright light and the snow glare, and a cap is the cooler of the head. If you hadn't done any of these things you might have got burned by the sun or suffered from dizziness.

By doing these, which are works against each other, no one is harmed and thus the hiking process could be kept comfortably and without ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌pain.

Staying​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Hydrated and Healthy

Water is an absolute necessity for the human body at all times, especially when you are taking long walks. It is simply not the case that all water along the trail is pure and fit for consumption. Drinking polluted water may cause you to be very sick.

That is the reason a water container and water sanitizing tablets or a filter are considered the essential items. It is possible to fill your vessel from streams or faucets and then disinfect it with the tablets before drinking. There are also trekkers who have the option of carrying bottles with an inbuilt filter which makes it safe and convenient to drink anywhere.

The seemingly trivial practice of cleaning your water is what keeps your stomach in good condition and thus, prevents you from getting dehydrated or falling ill.

Safety for Trekking Paths

On occasions, the trekking route may be inclined, slippery, and rocky or covered with snow. In such cases, the use of trekking poles is of great help in balancing your body, particularly when descending steep paths. Moreover, they do not let the knees suffer the pain as they lighten the carrying of the body weight while walking.

In case of a winter situation or a snow-covered area, microspikes or crampons (small metal parts that fit onto your shoes) can be of great help. They prevent the feet from slipping on a surface covered with ice. Although it may sound like a big thing, in reality, they are small and light in weight and thus, you can carry them with you and be safe when your path becomes hard to navigate.

You should always proceed at a slow pace and be careful of where you place your feet, especially when near rivers, bridges, and steep turns.

Safety for Health and Altitude

After the altitude increase, the air becomes less dense and the body needs some time to get used to it. To a certain extent, people get the feeling of dizziness and may suffer from headaches — a condition that is known as altitude sickness.

Medications for altitude sickness (like Diamox, advised by a doctor prior to a trek) should be carried along. In addition, it is necessary to ensure the presence of warm consumables in the diet such as soup or tea and that the walking speed is slow. In case of feeling weak, the higher altitude should not be pursued — one should rest or move down a bit.

Sensitivity does not mean being brave all the time. Rather, it means listening to your body. In the event your body says "I'm exhausted," you should halt and take a rest. That is also being clever and safe.

Emergency and Communication Items

Even if the ABC trek is a well-frequented one, there may be moments when you find yourself alone on a silent path. For such instances, a small whistle and a fully charged mobile phone should be among your carry items. A whistle is an aid by which others can hear you when you are in need of help.

The mobile phone of yours must be equipped with a local SIM card and a network that is functional in the mountain regions. Ncell and Namaste (NTC) are the two major ones in Nepal. You may also take along a power bank as there may be times when the tea houses are without electricity, especially those in higher villages.

In the case where you have a guide, they would be holding a walkie-talkie or a satellite phone for the purpose of an emergency. However, it is good to be prepared as a trekker as well.

Keeping Yourself Dry and Protected

If your things become wet due to rain or snow, they can turn out to be heavy and cold. To protect against this, make sure to pack your necessary items such as clothing, documents, and electronics inside dry bags or plastic wraps that are placed within your backpack.

It is equally nice to have a rain cover for your backpack. It works just like a raincoat for your bag. When everything remains dry, your trek gets more comfortable, and you stay happy and healthy.

Personal Safety and Identity Items

You must always have copies of your passport, permits, and ID in a small waterproof pouch. One copy should be in your backpack and the other in your pocket. It is beneficial in the event that you misplace a set or have to show your identity quickly.

Besides that, it is also a good idea to have a small notebook containing emergency contact numbers and your travel insurance information. If an unexpected situation arises, it will be a great help for the rescuers or the locals to get in touch with the right people swiftly.

Small But Helpful Things

There are numerous tiny things that have a significant impact during a trek. For instance, lip balm prevents the lips from drying, hand sanitizer is used for cleaning hands before eating, and toilet paper is always handy as not every place will have it.

These things might seem insignificant; however, they make your trip more comfortable and protect you from the occurrence of small issues that can potentially ruin your trek.

Final Words

What are the safety things that you should pack with you on the Annapurna Base Camp trek? It is not necessary for you to carry heavy and luxurious tools — just smart and simple things that enable you to stay warm, healthy, and safe.

Imagine your safety equipment as a group of helpers: your first aid kit is the one that looks after your health, your shoes are the ones that protect your feet, your warm clothes are the ones that hug you when it's cold, and your torch is the one that lights up your way when it's dark.

That is not just packing a bag when you have these things with you — that is packing peace of mind. Together with the appropriate safety gear, you can go your way happily, be able to see every sunrise, and feel the mountain wind on your face without fear.

The reason why the Annapurna Base Camp trek is really beautiful is not merely because of the ascent — it is being able to feel safe, free, and alive with every step that you ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌take.