Without at least some pre-trip preparation or a solid level of fundamental fitness, trekking is difficult. Let’s be honest: it’s hard labor anyway. Sweat is the price of a fantastic journey. Calves and quadriceps that ache is badges of glory, as are blisters and missing toenails. However, you are rewarded with some of the world’s most unspoiled, beautiful, and breathtaking landscapes. And what do you know? The more you train, the simpler your epic trek will be.
These suggestions can help you remain warm on the coldest days and conquer the steepest ascents without difficulty. So, without further ado, here are trekking recommendations that every hiker should know.
- Start walking immediately
This may seem the most obvious step to do first, but you’d be astonished at how few people do it. For example, how might one best prepare for a long walk? Take some long walks. It would help if you began with very short distances and gradually built up to the distance you will hike on your vacation. Then, when you begin your exercise, give your body a day to recuperate between each walk.
As your body becomes fitter, though, you should attempt to complete back-to-back workouts each day; this will assist develop your endurance for the unrelenting nature of a ten-day walk, during which there will be no rest days. Before departure, you should ideally be able to walk easily for four to six hours.
- Carry a clothesline and other necessities
This never occurs to anybody, yet this easy trick has saved me several times. A clothesline allows garments to be dried anywhere. You may attach them to trees, trekking poles, and even your tent.
On a hike, you will undoubtedly get drenched. The majority is sweat. All that is required is to dry them out. Wind and air are the most efficient means of drying garments quickly. There is no need for a bright day. A few hours in the open air is sufficient for most drying.
Carrying a clothesline has helped me minimize the weight of my bag. A clothesline has also helped preserve the integrity of my split shoe and ripped bag. Ensure you also have a reliable source of light. There are numerous flashlights, but you need reputable dealers to help you in choosing a flashlight.
- Ensure you’re walking correctly
Since you were around one year old, you’ve been walking, but it’s crucial to evaluate your gait and ensure that you’re doing it correctly. Ensure that your heel strikes the ground first, followed by your toe, which pushes you into the following stride. Walk with your head held high, your eyes focused on the front, and your shoulders level.
- Utilize Micro-Steps When Climbing an Incline
Use micro-steps while climbing uphill. It is a purposeful action; thus, it requires practice to master. After achieving this, you will never weary when climbing uphill.
How do you manage? When placing one foot in front of the other, leave no more than a two-inch space between the heel of the front leg and the toe of the rear leg. When the rear leg must advance, repeat the step. Keep just 2 inches of space between the heel of the front leg and the toe of the rear leg. As you repeat this step, ensure that your respiration does not exceed “slightly over usual.” If you see your respiration increasing, slow your micro-steps even more.
With micro-steps, you can traverse a whole pass without stopping.
This seemingly lengthy micro-step is quick. Your fellow trekkers constantly take breaks, but you never do. Soon you will have far surpassed them. Micro-step is difficult. Your natural tendency will lead you to take steps that are longer. However, if you master micro-steps, you will be able to ascend any steep, lengthy slope with ease.
Rest periods are determined mainly by fitness and speed. A decent hiking pace can be maintained without pausing for at least one hour. If you stop to rest every thirty minutes, hike more slowly until you can continue for an hour.
To maximize productivity, integrate rest periods with any obligatory breaks you will already be taking to prevent taking two breaks in a row by mistake. Generally, it would be best to strive for 5 to 10-minute intervals, except for extending one necessary break into a noon siesta.
