Courtesy of social media platforms like Instagram, nature tourism has become a trend. The profiles are popping up with stellar images of pristine lakes, sky-high mountains, and verdant meadows. While there are many genres of traveling, one that has become insanely popular among the youth, is trekking.
The urge to go where few have ever gone before is what fuels the desire to trek the most difficult of trails. However, if not done correctly, trekking can be as tedious as it is rewarding, and it doesn’t take a lot to make the Trekker experience sour and ruin the adventure forever. Therefore, if you’ve just begun to explore the hidden mysteries of nature on foot, here are five things that might be of great help to you.
Pack minimal
One common mistake all first-timers make is that they pack too much. The more stuff you carry with yourself, the more you’ll have to haul over the unforgiving slopes. Think of the clothes you’ll be needing for the trek and then cut the number by half. Ensure you bring an all-in-one wash instead of carrying shampoo, face wash, and soap separately. Get rid of anything that isn’t absolutely necessary. You might think that it’s important for Trekker to have many clean clothes and toiletries, but take it from someone who has made that mistake – it isn’t worth it.
Always carry a trekking pole or two
A trekking pole is your best friend on the trek, and Trekker enough cannot be sung about its importance. Carrying a trekking pole redistributes your weight and makes uphill climbing easier by acting as your third leg. Taking two trekking poles can save up to 40% of your energy. It can make all the difference on a high-altitude trek.
Never trek with brand new shoes
Here is another common mistake among Trekker as beginners. They buy brand new trekking shoes for their first adventure and do the unboxing on the trek itself. New shoes, as good as they look, are awful for trekking. You can try it yourself, but be warned, you can end up with pretty bad shoe bites. Therefore, make it a point to break into new shoes before you carry them on your trekking adventure.
Slow and steady wins the race
One thing every experienced trekker would emphasize, and every beginner would take lightly, is pacing. We all want to prove that we are up for the challenge, but we shouldn’t let our determination turn into ego. Trying to compete with experienced trekkers or the slopes themselves would leave you burnt-out and dehydrated.
Instead, remember that you’re there to enjoy and to take in the beautiful sights and sounds of nature. Take micro-steps when you’re climbing uphill. Make sure that the heel of your front foot isn’t more than 2.5 inches apart from the toes of your back foot. This way you’ll save a lot of stamina and would need lesser number of breaks along the way.
Layering is the way to go
Instead of carrying one thick jacket, carry multiple thin sweatshirts. Firstly, they are more effective in maintaining your body temperature. Secondly, if, at some point, you feel overheated, you can take off a few layers to feel more comfortable. However, if you’re wearing one thick jacket, you’ll either have to sweat uncomfortably or freeze, if you decide to take it off.
When you keep these five tips in mind as Trekker before embarking on your next adventure, it will surely turn out to be a fruitful one.