Travel

Going Trekking? Here Are 7 Ways You Can Prepare

people walking towards mountains
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The trekking season is here with the onset of September. If you’re considering going trekking, we can help. Trekking is a great way to experience the edge of the wilderness and soak up the beauty and serenity that nature has to offer.

We put together this post on how you can prepare for your trek to make it as enjoyable as possible, complete with information on what you need, how much it will cost, what to pack, and more!

– What You Need

Specialized equipment like shoes, tents, etc., orientation (knowledge of landmarks), good map reading skills (ability to estimate distances).

– How Much It Will Cost

The cost of trekking depends on where you are heading. Most trekking routes fall under conservation areas. They have special permit fees and more. And if you are visiting a foreign country for trekking, don’t forget to factor in Visa and flight costs.

– What To Pack

man resting besides tent in forest
Photo by Baihaki Hine from Pexels

Food, water, sleeping bag/sleeping mat, personal gear (clothing and toiletries), and camping equipment.

– Maps

make sure you have a topographical map and know how to use it (elevation ranges and landmarks).

– Safety

Learn the signs to look for when trekking in national parks. Also, keep your distance from wildlife to reduce the chances of getting attacked by animals like bears or leopards.

A word of caution: Trekking, in general, is not for those who are ill or prone to serious injuries as there’s always the risk of falling through rocks and getting bruised/bitten by wildlife.

Here are 7 things you can do to prepare for your trek:

1. Know the Signs

Before trekking in a majestic peak or peak, it’s important to educate yourself about its danger level and the signs to look out for so that you know what you’re up against. Learn the signs of a dangerous animal first before setting foot into areas where these animals can be found. One major sign of a dangerous animal is broken branches. This is a sign that an animal had been on it over some time, making it weaker and easier for them to break off and survive through life on their own.

2. Physical fitness

people walking on top of a hill
Photo by Eric Sanman from Pexels

Trekking is a strenuous activity. You have to be in relatively good shape before attempting any kind of trekking. It’s not the best idea to go trekking if you are physically preoccupied or got injured recently. You will need to be well-accustomed to walking long distances with full packs on your backs. Give yourself enough time before your trip so you can get used to the intense level of physical strain.

3. Orientation

Make sure that you know how to read a map and understand its elements first before setting out for your first trekking trip. The topographical maps that you will be using for your trek would not only give you a visual of the next areas to visit but will also help you read elevation lines that can indicate unstable grounds.

4. Resistant Footwear

two shoes in a landscape
Photo by Noel Ross from Pexels

A good pair of shoes for trekking is important. The first thing that you should check when buying new shoes for trekking is the grip. Find out if the shoe has rubber or leather soles with grip or treads. You wouldn’t want to buy new shoes only to find yourself struggling on slippery paths because they didn’t have any grips at all on their sole.

5. Warm and light clothing

Warm and light clothing will help you avoid the danger of hypothermia, especially in extremely cold places. Even if there is no danger of hypothermia, you still want to be warm and comfortable because you’ll need all your body’s energy to trek through rough terrain.

6. Water and food

green field and man walking on it towards mountain
Photo by Krivec Ales from Pexels

Most treks would last for several days before reaching a destination or base camp. You must be ready with supplies for this trekking trip that will last you several days; otherwise, you might suffer from dehydration and hunger brought about by exertion and lack of food and water.

7. Medication

Last but not least, make sure that you’re carrying extra medication. Trekking can be quite risky especially if you’re with a group of people. You never know when someone might get injured so always carry extra first-aid kits and medication with you to be prepared for any eventuality.

Also read: Top 10 Best Treks in the World

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