Top Tips For First Time Trekkers in 2022 To Make It Memorable
Trekking is a very adventurous activity that we love and that we practice whenever we have the opportunity. When you are trekking, you are in direct contact with nature. There are countless trails and hiking trails, and on most of these trails, you don’t have to be an expert mountaineer or climber.
Whatever the route you are going to take and the days that it will take you, it is always necessary to follow some minimum safety guidelines so that you do not get scared and the only thing you have to worry about is enjoying the breathtaking views and nature. Here are some top tips for first-time trekkers in 2022 like you to make it a memorable experience.
1. Train yourself
The first tip for a first time trekker is to improve your physical condition. Above everything, if you plan to do a multi-day trek. Make sure you are physically prepared. Make small day treks to get the body used to walking in nature. This will ensure that you can give it you are all on the longest routes.
2. Prepare the hiking route well
It is necessary that you tell yourself in advance about the route you want to cover. The difficulty, the kilometers of the route, the unevenness, whether it has areas of special care or danger. Although the Internet is a great tool for this purpose, it is always the best idea to ask local people in the area or at a nearby tourist office.
3. Be aware about the weather conditions of the route
This is one of the more important tips for first time trekkers. It is very important that you know what the weather will be like during your trekking tour, whether it be one or several days. Especially in the mountains, weather conditions can vary in a matter of hours. Knowing the weather forecast in advance we can save ourselves some more fright than another.
4. Have a good dinner and hydrate yourself
A good dinner the day before will start the next day with the batteries well charged is a top tip for first time trekkers. For the very same reason, it is always a good idea to start hydrating well the day before starting on your trekking route.
5. Warn what trails you are going to take
Always keep someone in the loop so that they have knowledge about your tour, be it friends, family, or anyone else. Thus, in the event of an accident or loss, someone can notify the competent authorities to proceed to the rescue.
6. Plan well if you will be camping more than one day
You should prepare well in advance for your trekking, especially if your hiking route could take two or more days. You must have enough food and water for the route. You wouldn’t want to stay starving in the middle of the mountain.
In addition, you must wear appropriate camping clothing and equipment. The temperature at night in the middle of nature, especially in mountains and deserts, can drop several degrees. This is another one of the helpful tips for first time trekkers like you.
Trekking equipment
This is one of the most important tips for first time trekkers. You have to be very careful about the following mentioned things for an adventorous trekking experience.
7. The water
Do not skimp on water, it is the only resource that is vital, even above food. During the trekking, a lot of water is lost due to sweating. Dehydration is one of the biggest risks, a lack of water can make you disoriented or even kill you.
Keep this in mind especially if you are going to trek in the desert or very hot areas, where dehydration will be greater and the chances of finding natural water are scarce.
8. Purify your own water on the go
It is not a bad idea to carry purifying pills or a purifying filter, especially if you are going to be several days on the road. You can replenish yourself with the water you find along the way in streams, rivers, or ponds. Although always make sure that the water you collect is as clean and transparent as possible. If you have a cooker, you can also boil it to kill possible microorganisms.
9. Wear appropriate trekking clothes and shoes
Out of all the tips for first time trekkers, this one holds a special place. It is of the utmost importance that you wear the right clothes and shoes. It must be comfortable clothing and if it is breathable, the better. Footwear that is also comfortable and waterproof, with a good sole so that you have a better grip on slippery terrain. In addition, if they are high-cut to protect the ankles from possible sprains, better than better.
10. Wear a poncho or raincoat
Although the weather forecast is not rainy, be prepared. Wear some type of poncho or a protective layer or a good raincoat to avoid having to walk wet and you may become hypothermic.
11. Camping equipment
Make sure that the camping equipment you are carrying is suitable for the place you are going to visit. The tent must withstand the amount of rain and wind of the place and the sleeping bags must be adequate for the nighttime outdoor temperature. Do not take a bag with a temperature limit of 10 ºC to a place where at night there is -5ºC, you will be very cold and you will put your physical integrity at risk.
12. Protect the trekking backpack from the rain
Always try to keep your backpack from getting wet. There are waterproof covers for them (many already have them incorporated). Also you can buy specially designed ponchos that fully cover and protect backpacks from getting wet.
13. Thermal blanket
It is an element that weighs nothing and hardly takes up space. In the event of an accident or that, for any reason, you are forced to spend the night on the road, it can protect you from cold and hypothermia.
14. Small campaign kit
Always carrying a small first-aid kit with the basics is next on the list of tips for first time trekkers. This kit should include:
- Gauze, bandaids, sticking plaster and wound disinfectants
- Bandage for sprains
- Sterilized gloves
- A few small scissors
- Paper stitches
- Anti-inflammatory and pain relievers
- Physiological serum to clean wounds
- Oral serums to replace minerals
15. Mobile charged and without the pin
Take the mobile with the battery fully charged and do not use unnecessary applications that consume energy. Take it without a “PIN” so that in an emergency anyone can use it. Disconnect the WiFi or 4G lines if there is no coverage, you will avoid consuming the battery.
16. Offline Maps
These tips for first time trekkers will be of no use if you don’t have an offline map. There are various applications available through which you can download offline maps in which you do not need an Internet connection to consult now and then to know your location. Some of these applications like MapsMe have the main hiking routes marked.
17. Map, compass or GPS
If you are going to do long treks, you must also bring a map of the area, a GPS or a compass so that you can orient yourself during the tour.
18. Protect yourself from the sun
Even if you think that the sun does not hit because it is cloudy or cold, it is better to protect yourself from it. He wears a cap for his head, as well as sun and lip protection. And of course, some good sunglasses to take care of your eyes. Above all, in high mountains, the reflection of the sun in the snow is very harmful.
