🏕️ The Camp We Carry: Trail-Tested Camping Gear by ShepherdTrail

ShepherdTrail | Gear We Use Series
Where Every Trail Tells a Story

When you spend your nights under Himalayan stars, your camp becomes more than just shelter — it becomes a part of your story. Whether it’s wind howling outside or the calm of a forest dawn, the right gear makes those moments possible.

In this post, we’re unpacking our go-to camping setup that has kept us dry, warm, and well-rested across Himachal’s wild trails.

⛺ Quechua MH100 2-Person Tent

Reliable Shelter for Wild Nights

This tent has been our portable home on treks to Churdhar, Kareri Lake, and remote meadows around Baga-Sarahan. It’s surprisingly sturdy for something that weighs under 3.5 kg and pitches in under 10 minutes.

Why We Love It:

• Wind and rain resistant — it’s handled Himachal’s unpredictable moods like a champ

• Simple two-pole structure — no overthinking even in fading light

• Vestibule space for shoes or a backpack

• Roomy enough for two people plus a bit of gear

🌲 Trail Story: On a rainy night camped in Kheerganga, the MH100 kept us bone-dry while thunder rolled in the valley below. Morning Tea never tasted better than it did at that doorway.

💤 Quechua 0 to 5°C Sleeping Bag

Warm Sleep = Strong Legs

This one’s a must-have for spring or early winter camping. The mummy-style design traps heat well, and the hood section wraps snugly on colder nights.

What Works on the Trail:

• Comfortable warmth for high-altitude camps at ~2500–3000m

• Packs into a small compression sack

• Inner lining feels soft and breathable

🔥 Trail Tip: Pair it with thermals and a foam mat, and you’ll be comfortable even when frost forms outside your tent flap.

🟫 M100 Camping & Trekking Foam Mattress

The Unsung Comfort Hero

Let’s be honest — sleeping directly on rocky Himalayan ground? Not fun. This lightweight foam mat makes a huge difference in insulation and comfort.

What Makes It Essential:

• Adds a crucial barrier between you and the cold ground

• Rolls up small and straps easily to your backpack

• Doubles as a great yoga/stretch mat on camp mornings

🪵 Story from the Forest: After a long climb to the Jalsu Pass base, we skipped the camp chair and rolled this out for our meal under pine trees. Simple things make the best memories.

🌌 Why This Camping Trio Works

This kit forms the foundation of our backcountry adventures. It’s cost-effective, rugged enough for Himachali terrain, and light enough for solo trekkers or minimalist duos.

Whether you’re sleeping in alpine meadows, forest clearings, or wild ridgelines, this trio provides the peace of mind that lets you focus on what matters most: the experience.

🏔️ Next in the Series…

In our upcoming posts, we’ll feature our favourite cooking gear, Hiking bag, and the quirky little items we can’t trek without. We’ll also share learnings from real Himalayan nights — what worked, what didn’t, and what we’d change next time.

If you have your own favorite gear or want us to test something specific — tell us. We’d love to bring more trail tales to our community.

📌 Follow, Pack Smart & Stay Wild

ShepherdTrail – Where Every Trail Tells a Story