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A trail mix is basically food that you can consume on the trail to give you that added boost and energy. It is usually a mix of dried fruits, cereals, sweets with a chocolate base, and mixed nuts. Here is one classic, easy to prepare trail mix.

Ingredients (roughly the same weight for each item. Let's say... 250g):
Dried fruits
Mixed nuts
Raisins
M&Ms or Reese's Pieces

Procedure:
Mix all the above ingredients in a bowl. Then store in an airtight container. Place your trail mix in an easily-accessible place in your bag.

If you are planning to go overnight on your trek (or tramp, as I have recently learned the equivalent term here in New Zealand), it is an absolute necessity that you are able to keep yourself warm at night. These are some of the items that we bring aside from the tent for shelter:

1. A sleeping bag - fabric technology has provided for lighter and warmer sleeping bags, but these can cost an arm and a leg for the average taxpayer. Usually rectangular-shaped, a zipper runs through the length of the sleeping bag so you can actually spread it out. When I am with company in my two-person tent, I usually do this to share the cushion. Not that it can soften the ground you sleep on, especially if it's quite rough. Speaking of which, you need to clear the ground of stones to make it at least tolerable. You also need...

2. An earthpad. This is padding made of rubber that you can use to insulate yourself from the cold ground. When not in use, we form this into a cylinder and line it into our bag so it can stand on its own. There are pre-cut earthpads, but you can also find vendors that will cut according to your specification. And if you are sharing your sleeping bag and pad, you need...

3. A blanket. We usually use the malongs we purchase in Cebu or Davao, but a lot of native clothing stores in Manila sell this as well. In addition, we have sweaters and long pants on for warmth. And finally...

4. Have a pillow. We have inflatable ones, but you can simply roll up your clothes to double as a pillow. This way, you maximize on bag space.

[photo credit: www.allsleepingbags.com]

At times when we are on a trek, we scavenge for a sturdy bit of branch which we can use to ward off wayward branches, support our ascent and subsequent descent, and also serve as stand for makeshift shelter. It was during our descent from Mt. Daguldol on a very wet and muddy day where my sandal's velcro strap gave out and I suffered a sprain did the idea of a having a good trekking pole come to mind.

Trekking poles today are getting the hi-tech treatment. Lightweight materials such as carbon fiber are being used, but these are usually for fixed sizes. Other poles offer adjustable lengths, but are a bit heavier due to the additional mechanism; aluminum alloy is also usually used. Still, others have shock-absorbent features and interchangeable ends to adapt to various terrain.

So when you are going on a trek and you are expecting to go through some rough times, it will be a good move to bring a trekking pole along.

photo credit: www.backpackinglight.com