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Going Trekking?

"How hard can walking alone a trail with
a pack strapped to your back be? Most first time trekkers start out with the
notion that they are in good health and something as simple shouldn't require
exceptional skill or conditioning. The truth is carrying that backpack and
walking up a hill or down it does require some amount of planning, the right
equipment and pain old common sense. There are no strenuous physical and mental
exercises that you need to undergo to get ready for that trek. There are
however, a few simple things you should know before you head out towards the
hills."

 

Can
you handle it?

if you can walk, you can hike,
but start with beginner-rated trails of a few kilometer or less and then work
your way up to longer, more difficult hikes. In Nepal, there aren't really signs at
the trailhead, or even a marked trailhead for that matter so make sure you
start out on trails that you have definite information such as the length of
the route about. Once you know the length of the trail, work it out in your
mind in terms of a familiar distance. for example, how much longer or short is
the trail than the distance from your home to your workplace? Once you have a
good idea, gauge your time and effort accordingly.

 

The difficulty of any trek or
walk depends on daily mileage (How much you can or want to walk every day),
hilliness of the terrain, and altitude. Must walking trips, tailored for
moderately active people, cover gentle terrain at low altitudes, and many have
optional shorter routes. If you need a break, you can always skip a day and
lounge around at the hotel or lodge talking to the locals and engaging perhaps
in some photography. but on a serious trek, you seldom have a choice other than
 to make it to the day's destination.
Altitudes about 14,000 feet or vertical gains of more than 2,000 feet per day
demand excellent physical fitness. The good news is that you can have your
fitness level assessed. If in doubt, be conservative, specially when it comes
to the dizziness and shortness of breath associated with high altitudes.

 

Essential
Skills

Skills needed for hiking apply to
any outdoor sport. A course in basic first aid wouldn?t hurt, but at least know
how to bandage a wound and to detect the signs of dehydration, heatstroke, and
hypothermia. Learn how to read clouds; knowing a nimbus from a cumulus can be
the different between a waterlogged hike and a merely cloudy one. Simple
knowledge of such things can be crucial.

 

Gear
UP!

 

Everyone needs a day pack; choose
one with multiple pockets, padded shoulders straps, and large zipper closure.
And make sure it's the right size: When properly adjusted, the base should sit
on your hips and the top should be at least one hand-width below the base of
your neck. The wrong size pack can give you a backache and even cause long term
problems so give this special attention. Footwear designed specifically for
hiking offers better support and traction. Choose a pair that's a half-size
larger than your street shoes to allow for some swelling as you walk and to
accommodate heavier hiking socks. Wear thick wool or synthetic blend socks
designed to wick moisture away from the feet, as wet feet is the primary cause
of blisters. Some things to keep in your day pack are: a first-aid kit, water
bottle, Swiss Army knife, topographic map, compass, light blanket, and sweater.

 

Trek
Talk

Hot Spot: That little tingle of
friction you feel on your foot before you get a blister. Don?t ignore the
feelings: Take off your boot and wrap your foot with protective medical tape before
that tingling evolves into a full-fledged blister.

 

Loop Trail:
A trail that starts at point A and circles back to the same point without
repeating any section of the trail.

 

Scree Slope:  A challenging slope of loose rock and shale
or a rock that is formed from layers of clay.

 

Saddle: A
trail stretched over the lowest point between two peaks, resembling a saddle.

 

Aiming off:
Intentionally erring about 5 degree off-courses when using a compass bearing
and heading toward your target destination. The benefit of aiming off is your
will know exactly which way to turn to get to your destination when you reach
the baseline.

 

"If you keep this information with you,
you should be alright on your trip. But most importantly, head out with a serious
intention to have fun and learn from the trip. Everything else should
follow."

Happy Trekking!