Trekking is one of those leisure activities that almost everyone seems to enjoy. From wandering around on a trail with the mesmerizing view encapsulating your brain with its beauty and the serene surrounding leaving you breathless in its wake, trekking is the best way to energize your mind and body. Especially in Nepal, with the numerous famous trekking routes available for tourists and locals, trekking has seen a steady bloom over the years with no signs of stopping.
However, with the increasing number of tourists and locals going for a trek and hikes, many things need to be considered and administered before the trek. We will discuss some of the most crucial topics to monitor before your expedition.
Taking a guide for your trek is one of the most important things that any potential backpacker and trekker should think of. Guides are experienced and they generally know the trails like the back of their hand. They are well-versed in case things go awry. They are also an excellent companion and will help you throughout your expedition.
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Pack necessary med-kit and clothes
Most of the trekking trails will take you to an elevation of more than 3000m and that means it gets awfully cold in the region. To prevent yourself from hypothermia and frostbites you should be well-packed with warm clothes, rain-kits, lighters, torches, and good trekking gears in general. Also, in case you get any injuries, headaches, food poisoning, etc, you should always carry the necessary medicines. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to a strenuous journey.
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Get insurance before the trek
Trekking, as thrilling as it is, is also pretty dangerous. Although the Nepal Government and Nepal Tourism Board have prepared all necessary protocols to keep the tourists and trekkers safe, one can never predict when the thing will start to get rough. Rescuing travelers in such terrain is a very difficult task and one of the fastest ways of rescue available is via a helicopter. But it is very expensive, therefore, it is advised for the travelers to take insurance with a well-reputed company before the expedition.
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Be well aware of Acute Mountain Sickness or Altitude Sickness
One of the most well-known difficulties faced by trekkers is Acute Mountain Sickness. It is a common stumbling block on the journey yet the most dangerous one. Because the oxygen depletes gradually as you ascend higher, the body, if not acclimatized to the altitude starts to get lethargic. Soon after, headache and nausea follow. If not addressed on time it can be fatal. Therefore, it is crucial to be well aware of AMS.
In case your body starts showing the symptoms of AMS, you should halt the journey immediately. Acetazolamide is one of the well-known medications that can reduce the effect of altitude sickness. However, this does not mean you can carry on your journey. This will only bide you some time to descend and get acclimatize to the altitude. One other thing to consider is the consumption of alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates your body fast, making you prone to Altitude Sickness. The best way to prevent altitude sickness is by ascending slowly once you reach the altitude of 2500m.
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Avoid traveling solo as much as possible
Traveling solo is the best way to get to know yourself better and enjoy your own company that otherwise you won’t get to do daily. However, when it comes to trekking on an unknown trail, it is advised to avoid traveling solo. Usually, the trekking trails in Nepal are very remote with little to no civilization, in case something goes wrong, it will be very difficult for the authority to know about your situation. If, however, you want to travel solo, you should tell at least one person about your whereabouts, carry a satellite phone with you at all times, and not wander anywhere else apart from the trekking route.
Weather at high altitudes can change drastically and because of the already difficult trail, bad weather can create a very dangerous situation for the trekkers. So, before starting on the expedition, you should be well informed about the weather condition and only start the trek once you know what the weather is going to be like.
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Take care of personal hygiene
Taking care of personal hygiene is vital for completing your journey. Poor hygiene is one of the main reasons for getting sick while on a trek. Therefore, you should carry all your sanitary products with you before the trek. Products such as soap, sanitary pads, sanitizers, clean towels, etc should be prepared in advance as they will be difficult to obtain or will cost extra on the trail.
Trekking is one of those, high grinding high reward, adventure, it can be dangerous sometimes, and taking appropriate procedures and precautions are always advised.
You should always be prepared about your gears, information, insurance, first-aid kits, and physical health before any journey. If you take care of everything on the list there will not be any problem for you and you will surely be rewarded with one of the best highlights of your life.
