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Trekking preparation
Fore warned is fore armed
The first step in preparing for a trek is deciding which trek you are going to
do. This decision should be based on a number of considerations including; your
current level of experience and fitness, whether you will be trekking alone or
with a group, time of year, recent weather patterns, distance, difficulty of
terrains, how interesting it is and so on.
Before deciding on a
particular trek you should aim to find out as much as possible about your
intended adventure.
Eco-friendly Trekking is your
best source to start with as it will usually include details about the level of
experience required, along with such things as distance, estimated time to
complete, locations of campsites, special equipment requirements if any, which
topographical maps are required and what kind of terrain you are likely to
encounter.
Digital technology can be of
assistance. Eco-friendly Trekking has up loaded more and more trekking photos in
this site. We hope these photos can give you a first hand look at some of the
terrain you will be trekking through, they can also be deceiving. Photos, even
professionally taken ones rarely show it as it is in real life.
Weather conditions
Never take the weather for granted. It is easy to be lulled into thinking
that bright sunny conditions will last the whole trek. Positive thinking is a
good thing but where weather is concerned you must also be realistic. Conditions
may change and you must be prepared to deal with them.
Always check weather
forecasts before setting out. This is particularly important in mountainous
regions where severe changes in temperatures, visibility and
weather extremes, occur with monotonous
regularity. Generally speaking, temperatures drop by approximately 5-6 degrees
Celsius for every 1000 metres of altitude. This is a rough guide only and should
not be relied upon.
Not only is bad weather
likely to turn your trek into a miserable experience it can also create
dangerous conditions that can turn your adventure into a survival mission.
Rivers that are normally crossible can be transformed into raging torrents.
Descents can become slippery and dangerous and also the risk of rockfall can
increase. The time it takes to trek from point A to point B can be doubled or
even tripled in severe weather.
When considering weather
forecasts take into account such things as storm warnings, lightning predictions
and changes in temperature. Be prepared to postpone your trip if the weather
looks too risky. Keep an eye open for signs of changing weather. For example:
1
Fast moving clouds indicate high wind speed and this could indicate a
possible weather change ahead.
2
Changes in the colour of the sky along with a heavy accumulation of cloud
will usually indicate that rain is on the way.
3
Snow covered peaks will demonstrate high wind activity by displaying a
plume of snow flowing from the summit.
(More: Weather comdition)
Minimising your pack weight
Minimising your pack weight starts at the gear shop and the choices that are
made there. Serious trekkers take the weight of their equipment very seriously
and for good reason - It can add up quickly. How much you are prepared to carry
and for how long are a personal choice, but in the end we are all striving for
the same goal and that are to take all the necessary gear with the least amount
of weight.
(More: Trekking Gear Lists)
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