Every season we watch duffel bags arrive in Skardu stuffed with gear that never leaves the hotel. This list is the opposite: the ten things our own guides pack for every trek, whether it's a week under Nanga Parbat or the full traverse over the Gondogoro La.
The ten that earn their place
One — broken-in boots. Not new ones; the Baltoro is not the place to discover a pressure point. Two — a fleece plus a lightweight down jacket. Even in July, evenings above 3,500 m drop close to freezing. Three — a sun hat and glacier-rated sunglasses; the UV at altitude is fiercer than the temperature suggests. Four — a 2–3 litre water capacity, because the springs marked on maps are seasonal. Five — blister tape, applied at the first hot spot, not the first blister.
Six — a headlamp with spare batteries; camp chores happen in the dark. Seven — a power bank sized for your whole trek, as charging past Skardu is a rumour. Eight — small-denomination rupees for village shops and porter tips. Nine — a light rain shell, even in the 'dry' Karakoram. Ten — a personal medical pouch: your prescriptions, paracetamol, rehydration salts and anything for a sensitive stomach.
The five that never get used
Jeans (they never dry), a second pair of shoes 'for camp' (camp sandals weigh nothing and do the job), full-size toiletries, a laptop, and cotton towels. Leave them in Islamabad — your porters will thank you.
Every Elham Asia trek includes a detailed, route-specific kit list in the booking pack, and your guide checks critical items — boots, warmth, sun protection — the evening before you walk. If something is missing, the Skardu bazaar can usually fix it for a fraction of home prices.