Tips to Keep in Mind Before Going on a Trek

The word trekking is as interesting as it sounds. Trekking is always at the top of the list of people who like adventures. Everyone loves to go on trekking, and why not? It gives you a great feeling to roam and experience different and exciting things. But it is also very important to keep a few things in mind before going on a trek. 

The first thing you should do is get your medical test done and see if you are medically fit or not, if you are out on a trek and your health deteriorates, it’s going to kill all the fun of trekking for you as well as your fellow trekkers. 

When you decide to embark upon a trekking expedition, prepare yourself physically as well as mentally and before you leave, make sure that you have all the trek essentials on you. Otherwise, a little carelessness can derail your adventure. 

Let us discuss some of the important points that you should keep in mind before going on a trek. Following these tips will make your trip a memorable and thrilling experience.

Start Running and Jogging

You must have heard many people complain about pain in their legs when they return from a trek, and therefore it is important that you start running and jogging at least 30 days before you go on a trek. By doing this you will develop stronger legs and a habit of walking long distances. This will help you to enjoy your trip even more and you won’t have any problems when you come back home from the trek.

Do Not Fill the Bag Too Much

If you do not want the fun of the trip to be gritty, then trekking alone or in a group, keep your luggage to a minimum and keep only the essentials in your bag such as medicines, torches, umbrellas, etc. 

The extra baggage you carry is obviously going to increase the weight of the bag which no one else but you will have to carry. So plan accordingly

Research About the Place Where you are Going

This is one of the most important things that you need to do before going on a trek. Researching the weather conditions of the place is a must. Trekking to certain locations can be prohibited during the winter seasons due to the heavy snowfall and unpredictable weather conditions, No matter how beautiful a place is, if trekking is forbidden in the area, do not go. Certain treks are considered to be easy and some are very difficult, like the Phulara Ridge Trek in Uttarakhand is considered to be a moderate difficulty trek.

It is generally not advised to trek alone, but even if you do, take all the route information from the guide and follow the exact path, looking for new routes can get you in trouble.

Choose the Right Shoes

During the trek, you might have to walk on an uneven trail, sometimes the trail might enter a climb or descent and at other times the trail might be rocky or even covered with snow. Make sure you have good quality trekking shoes which would provide you with a good grip on the way. Not have proper shoes on you might be dangerous as it increases your chances of slipping and hurting yourself.

In case you are going for a winter/snow trek like the Kedarkantha trek be sure to carry microspikes for your shoes.

Choose the Right Clothing

Just like shoes, it is important to choose the right clothes for the trek because the more comfortable you feel, the more you are going to enjoy the trek. Choose the clothing according to the trek you are going on, if you are going for a winter trek make sure to carry warm clothes that are not too heavy. 

While choosing what clothes to bring on your trek, keep the ones that keep you fully covered to avoid any insects biting you. Always carry a raincoat and a windcheater with you because the weather on the trek can change anytime.

First Aid Kit 

Keep a First Aid Kit in your bag during the trek because there is always a risk of injury while walking on bumpy roads. For this, keep the first aid kit, including gauze bandage, scissors, antibiotic ointment, painkillers and medicines to be used in case of an injury. 

Benefits of Trekking

Trekking is a great outing for both your soul and your body. 1 hour of trekking burns an average of 600 calories and helps the different body parts work together. Research has shown that trekking makes the heart stronger, improves blood circulation and respiratory system, besides the physical benefits, trekking reduces stress and can also help with depression. If you are trekking in a group, then it gives you a chance to socialize with like-minded people. 

And oh the most important thing? Trekking lets you spend time in your real home - Nature.