Special equipment for Tibet explorations

Mysterious Tibet attracts many kinds of visitors; sightseers, mountain climbers, bikers, drivers, and even those who want to see the amazing views of Tibet but crave the comfort of the city. But because of Tibet's climate and altitude, there are some special pieces of equipment that visitors should bring, depending on what they want to do.

10 Items to bring mountain climbing

Apart from maps and compasses, the following 10 items are also necessary for mountain climbing.

Petzl grigri: winning over conventional belay devices in that it has a self-braking system, that is, if the rope suddenly comes under tension (e.g. in a fall), the cam can pivot to pinch the rope automatically, thus helping stop the climber's fall.

Gloves: Ropes can injure and dirty your hands, so gloves are a must. Thin leather gloves or special cycling gloves are recommended.

Water: regular water intake is a good way to counter muscle spasm and tendon breaks.

Food: avoid food with cane sugar or that is difficult to digest.

Extra clothes: keep the body warm to counter spasms. Down coats are easy to put on and easy to take off.

Mobile phones: keep connected to partners and also may be used to ask for help in deciding the next climbing move. Make sure in advance the mountain climbing area has signals.

A big dog: for company when you are off the cliff.

Knee pads: attach a piece of rubber to the surface of ordinary knee pads in order to increase the friction.

First aid kit: apart from all the necessary first aid articles and medicines, the kit also needs to contain special medicines to deal with cuts, like massage creams and medicated oil. Nail clippers and files to get rid of calluses are also necessary.

Little sticks to help buckle a quick clasp: a rather useful tool when challenging a difficult route. Climbers can hang heavy bags on the quick clasp so as to ease the climbing.

Tips for cyclists

Cyclists should carry enough provisions and some necessary equipment, like tents, sleeping bags, drinking water for two to three days and various first aid medicines.

Breathable and durable clothes are recommended as well as a waterproof and wind resistant sweater, or a professional cycling outfit.

The last and the most important thing for cyclists: bicycle maintenance.

Carry a repair kit including a monkey wrench, a big screwdriver and a small one, a fix wrench to fix the brake nut, a sheet wrench to adjust the wheel, a steel ring to adjust the spokes, some tools to repair the inner tube, pinchers and an inflator.

Take at least two spare inner tubes, an extra block chain, several brake rubbers, slots, nuts, long and short brake wires, some engine oil, iron wires and several elastic ropes to bind the luggage.

Special long distance bicycles have shelves both at the back and in the front of the bicycle so as to lower the center of gravity to increase the stability of the bicycle and to spread weight to avoid too much weight falling on the back tire only. So cyclists having no special bicycles may add a shelf to the front of their bicycles themselves.

A bicycle check is necessary once each day mainly to make sure all nuts work well.

Tips for driving to Tibet

Drive no more than 500 km each day and have two drivers to rotate driving in each car so that drivers can take a break. . No speeding or night driving.

Don't take too many people. A group made up of two or three cars is the best to avoid schedule conflict.

Do car maintenance in Geermu, a city between Qinhai and Tibet. Geermu has shops specializing in maintenance for cars en route to Tibet.

Don't do anything strenuous on the first day after arriving in Tibet. Get some rest and let your body adjust to the altitude.

Small items for the trip

Handkerchief: Can be tied over hair to prevent it from being caught by branches, or worn on the wrist to be used as facial wipe.

Frisbee: Can be used as a salad plate, cutting board, writing desk or washing basin when not being played with by friends.

Private name cards: with just your phone number, e-mail address and the address of where you are staying. Leave them together with a note about where you want to go and wait for a phone call from interested strangers.

Big towel: to keep warm when it's cold and use as a blanket if the one provided by the hostel is not as clean as you expect.

- From chinadaily.com.cn