How can a person living in the tropics be better prepared to travel to snowy areas?
I live in a hot and humid part of India, and plan to vacation for a week at one of the hill-stations close to the Himalayas, to experience snow for the first time. This might involve a bit of light hiking.
To not keep the topic too broad, my questions are about:
1. Handling the cold
2. Options for food and drink
3. Being prepared for snow
Handling the cold:
Not being accustomed to cold and not having much of a fat deposit beneath my skin, what would be the basic warm clothing required? I'm guessing thermal tops, long johns, wollen sweater, jacket, wollen socks and normal leather boots would be the basics (am basically looking to purchase boots that I can use in the snow and then use it back at my hometown, with formal wear so that it wouldn't be a waste of money). Would mittens, muffler and monkey cap be necessary too?
When shopping, should I give preference to wollen clothing or ones made with fleece?
If I get close to catching a fever or catch a cold, is it a sign that I should get out of the hilly areas ASAP?
Options for food and drink:
What kinds of food naturally keep the body warm (I heard peanuts do) and what to avoid? I'm considering carrying a bottle of curd too, as it gives energy for physically demanding times. This website mentions bread with peanut butter and dry fruits. As for drinks, I guess only water in a thermos flask would be ideal? What about soft drinks (sugar = carbohydrates)? Would carrying packets of soup powder or instant noodles be good if I can find a place to heat water and prepare soup?
Being prepared for snow:
I understand I shouldn't walk on snow with a jeans pant, since it'd get wet from the snow. Since I have a two piece raincoat (one piece as a pant and the other piece like a large jacket), would it be advisable to wear the raincoat pant over the jeans pant and tuck it into the boot?
Would there be any issues wearing a thin money pouch below all those layers of clothing?
Location Update:
A possible trek in Jan to Triund or Dhanaulti or Shimla or Manali.
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Warmth and sunlight can offer a real benefit to your health, from improved heart and lungs, to enhanced mental performance with less aches and pains that come with older age. Living in a warm climate may give you just the health boost you need, a better lifestyle, in a less stressful environment.How to travel the world with almost no money | Tomislav Perko | TEDxTUHH
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Images: Artem Beliaikin, Asad Photo Maldives, Pawan Yadav, Asad Photo Maldives