On my first trip we focused on the bivvy, so did a really short ride to the camp spot (recky beforehand) – this meant we could carry a few luxuries – like a niece bit of steak – to cook over an open fire (cut a grass wadge out first to protect environment and replace afterwards) and filled a platypus with a drop of red wine.

Funnily enough, it chucked it down on this trip too – downside of a bivvy’ing – waking up with a slug on your face!

Hope your next trip goes well.

As a good idea for what to take minimalist style, look at some of the mountain marathon websites (The OMM or the LAMM Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon). They may be for runners but they utilise the same lightweight gear. It’s a swine cycling with a heavy pack, in fact it really zaps your energy on the hills so get it as light as possible.

I’ve biked and used cafes for most food stops, but when camping/bivvying ALWAYS take a small stove, pan and cups. They’re great for warming cups of tea or cups of soup which can turn your spirits around.

With the weather we’ve just had you made the right choice in the area that you were. Don’t let it put you off, but my advice would be to start in warmer and drier weather and then gear choice mistakes are noticed and won’t be as potentially dangerous!

Enjoy planning your next attempt.
All the best,
Karl

Best
The India Is Team

Cheers,

Andrew