Baikal. How to properly equip

Preparation of personal equipment and equipment for a day trip, multi-day tour or expedition is one of the most important preliminary stages. Often, the success of the trip depends on the correct equipment, its comfort, impressions, and sometimes the health of the traveler. Taking into account the peculiarities of the climatic conditions of Lake Baikal, we recommend that you carefully approach this issue.

My recommendations are developed by many years of experience in traveling around Baikal. Naturally, you can use them taking into account the duration of the trip, your personal experience and preferences. No dogma!

The rules of equipment do not differ from the generally accepted rules of traveler’s equipment in conditions of low temperatures, winds, high solar radiation.

Modern clothing for tourism (outdoor) is represented by a wide range, allowing you to determine the criterion of quality / price and choose the necessary. The materials used in such clothes make it light.

The main thing in clothes is to prevent overheating and hypothermia of the body. The layers are responsible for maintaining the optimal regime. The first inner layer is thermal underwear. The second middle layer is the fleece fuff. The third outer layer is insulated pants and jacket. For Baikal in winter, ski kits are ideal.

Thermal underwear, fleece hatches, warm socks, windproof jackets, hats, warm gloves are a necessary condition for comfortable travel along Baikal in autumn and spring. Not surprising, for example, is the snowfall in mid-September.

Particular attention should be paid to shoes. It should be light, comfortable, do not slide on stones, keep warm as much as possible, maintaining an optimal balance of leg temperature.

In conditions of increased solar radiation and the “hardness” of sunlight, including reflected from ice and snow, it is necessary to have sunglasses. To protect the face from the sun, you can use balaclava or sunscreen. The cream also performs the functions of protecting the skin of the face from low temperatures.

Summer (depending on the duration of the trip)

• Light summer thermal underwear.
• T-shirt with a short sleeve (a few pieces).
• Socks (multiple pairs).
• Tourist pants.
• Shorts, Bermuda.
• Warm sweater or fleece sweater.
• Warm light jacket (on syntepone), down or down sleeveless (for walks in the evening).
• A jacket for rainy weather (rain or membrane).
• Light headdress for protection from the sun
• Fleece or light cap (in case of cold weather and for shooting on a boat).
• Light scarf or universal bandana.
• Light fleece gloves (for shooting on a boat).
• Flippers, sandals for walking in the hot season, for use at the base.
• Summer shoes are tourist or trekking sneakers.
• Sunglasses (required!!!)
• A seated rug for sitting on the ground.
• Headlight tourist.
• Personal hygiene products.
• Lightweight and compact quick-drying towel made of microfiber.
• Personal first aid kit (personal medicines, hygiene lipstick, sunscreen, patch, etc.).

Spring/Autumn (depending on the duration of the trip)

• Light thermal underwear.
• Wool thermal underwear.
• Short-sleeved shirt (a couple of pieces).
• Light socks (two pairs).
• Warm socks (two pairs).
• A fleece sweater or a warm sweater.
• Tourist pants (in case of warm weather and for use at the base).
• Warm jacket and pants are windproof.
• Puff or down sleeve (for necessary insulation or use on the base).
• The hat is fleece or tied, preferably with protection of the ears from wind and low temperature.
• Scarf or universal bandana.
• Fleece gloves.
• Warm mittens worn over fleeces at low temperatures.
• Flippers for use at the base.
• The shoes are demi-season tourist shoes.
• Sunglasses (required!!!)
• A seated rug for sitting on the ground.
• Headlight tourist.
• Personal hygiene products.
• Lightweight and compact quick-drying towel made of microfiber.
• Personal first aid kit (personal medicines, hygiene lipstick, sunscreen, patch, etc.).

Winter (depends on the duration of the trip)

• Light thermal underwear.
• Wool thermal underwear.
• Short-sleeved shirt (a couple of pieces).
• Light socks (two pairs).
• Warm socks (two pairs).
• A fleece sweater or a warm sweater.
• Tourist pants (in case of warm weather and for use at the base).
• Warm jacket and pants are windproof.
• Puff or down sleeve (for necessary insulation or use on the base).
• The hat is winter fleece or tied, preferably with protection of the ears from wind and low temperature.
• Scarf or universal bandana.
• Fleece gloves.
• Warm mittens worn over fleeces at low temperatures.
• Flippers for use at the base.
• The shoes are winter tourists.
• Sunglasses (required!!!)
• A seated rug for sitting on the ground.
• Headlight tourist.
• Personal hygiene products.
• Lightweight and compact quick-drying towel made of microfiber.
• Personal first aid kit (personal medicines, hygiene lipstick, sunscreen, patch, etc.).

If you are taking specific honey. Medications, take care of this in advance!