Going on a trek is a mesmerizing experience filled with breathtaking landscapes and tranquillity. Trekking detaches you from your urban life and reconnects you to nature, away from all the hustle and bustle, making it an adventure that everyone must embark on. I recently went on a trek with my friends to Kuari Pass, located in the state of Uttarakhand, India, wherein I learned a lot of things and created fond memories that shall remain with me forever. Roaming the wilderness broadens your horizons and expands your potential in many ways due to your separation from your comfort zone. My trekking experience gave me an opportunity to share with you some tips that would guide you towards an enjoyable as well as fulfilling trek.
Don’t be Overconfident:
One golden rule that every trekker must understand is that we should never consider ourselves superior to nature. Trekking is diverse and all trails have their own challenge and thus it's always essential to choose the trail wisely and assess its risks as well as your potential to do it. Trekking may seem easy but when you do it, it really pushes you to the limit even if you choose an easy trek because we should always expect the unexpected, whether it may be the change in weather pattern or your physical/mental endurance. Also, we should remember that not all treks guarantee you completion or summit because we stand nowhere against the forces of nature, if it's unfavorable then it's better to forfeit than to risk. Thus, Choosing a trek that can match your endurance, potential and your heart is really important for a safe and wonderful experience.
How to choose a trek:
When I was looking for a trek, I had a lot of different options to choose from. However, shortlisting and convenience helped me choose the perfect fit. When choosing what difficulty level trek you would like to undertake, one should know that moderate to difficult level trek always requires prior experience. Thus it's essential for beginners to choose an easy trek. Similarly, you should also look out for the time period that you intend to trek because depending on your timeframe, the weather would be changing and on some high-altitude treks, it's difficult to climb during winter and monsoon seasons. Also, each trek has a best-suited timeframe for trekkers to enhance their experience, and thus selecting that particular time period would uplift your trekking. It is also important to check reviews of other trekkers on a specific trail to ensure that whatever trail you are begging with must be a sophisticated journey. Lastly, you should be able to reach your base camp of the trek conveniently without an exhaustive journey because that can impact your trekking experience, thus choosing an appropriate mode of transportation is recommended.
Build up your Fitness :
Trekking demands physical fitness from each and everyone participating in it. It requires you to walk a lot of distance in a given day and gain altitude as you do so which can be exhausting. Whether it is the ascends or the descends, endurance should be put as the number one priority in order to enjoy the trek instead of getting tired and wanting to quit. In order to build up or maintain your fitness before the trek one shall try to do regular exercises or activities that can increase one’s endurance. For beginners, Running 5km under 38 mins or cycling 18km under 1 hour shall be sufficient to consider yourself fit for an easy level trek. Similarly, squats and leg workouts may also be beneficial for your trek and they may also reduce the risks of lower body injuries. It is also important to check whether you are comfortable carrying your rucksack or wearing your trek shoes and in order to do that, you should walk with those to check their feasibility. Lastly, Different trek difficulty levels would demand different amounts of fitness.
Pack Light :
For a comfortable trekking, it is always important to pack light, whether it's you whose carrying the luggage or a porter. Bifurcate between needs and wants, Carry belonging that are essential to your trip and avoid carrying things that add unnecessary weight and are of zero importance. If you are a person who wishes to carry their own backpack it's really important to keep it light because then it may hamper your journey due to excessive strain on your body. When I went trekking I found a lot of people who had heavy rucksacks which made them feel tired while they were trekking, ruining their experience. Moreover, Pick your gear and your clothing that suit the weather of the region and be prepared to wear your clothes on repeat to avoid carrying extra weight. Ensure to carry identification and your emergency contact while you trek, also remember to fill in the paperwork that are required by the forest departments. Lastly, Remember to carry medications, emergency supplies, and rations.
Consume Mindfully :
While trekking, it's always important to consume food that would help you stay active and comfortable during the trail. Foods such as dry fruits can revive your energy levels while on the trail. However, avoid eating protein or chocolate bars because they take a longer time to digest at high altitudes due to low oxygen levels. In order to prevent sore muscles, consume eggs which may also act as a good source of protein, however, non-vegetarian good is a big no for the trek since they take the most time to digest and can make you feel uneasy while you trek. Consumption of caffeine can lead to dehydration and so does Alcohol, which can also lead to Acute Mountain sickness(AMS) and Hypothermia in cold regions. Thus, eat a wholesome breakfast and carbohydrate-rich lunch and dinner which can provide you energy for the rest of your day. It is also a must to stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water which can prevent muscle cramps and can provide you with oxygen in high altitudes. In terms of medication, carry rehydration salts and other necessary meds that cater to your personal requirements.
Go Green :
Be grateful for what nature has given us, ranging from vast mountains to beautiful meadows. Going green while trekking is important for the safety of our environment so that people can continue going on trials. Littering is strictly prohibited. In remote areas where there is little to no access to bins, you should carry your own waste or dispose it if it’s biodegradable, but this depends on the area and the ecosystem. Similarly, you should also indulge in green trekking where you pick up waste while you trek. Furthermore, Listening to music over speakers is also not recommended since people have chosen to trek to hear the sounds of nature, also this action would disrupt the wildlife.
Live in the moment:
Trekking grants you one of the best experiences you could have in your lifetime, so why distract yourself from this adventure? Refrain bringing any kind of electronic device that can shift your state of mind. Trekking is all about embracing the world, so while you trek forget about your past and stop thinking about your future just live in the moment and adore the most ethereal sights you will ever see. Instead of capturing everything from your device, try to capture the scenery with your mind that shall remain with you forever.
In conclusion, Trekking is rewarding, it not only provides you with accomplishment but also creates ever-lasting memories. I hope you found these tips helpful and wish you all the best for your trek to the great wilderness.
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