Tips For Beginning Trekkers | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Tips For Beginning Trekkers

Are you actually ready to start trekking?

67
Tips For Beginning Trekkers
Nicole Rowe

Have you ever wanted to trek Mount Everest? Or maybe starting a little smaller and closer to home? I lived in Nepal for the past month with the expectation of hiking a bit of the Annapurna Circuit and woah, two weeks of preparation was not ENOUGH. I had no idea trekking was in my cards until I got here (go-with-the-flow missionary life). There is so much that goes into preparing to trek; the right diet, practice hiking, staying somewhat in shape but at the same time downing sugar just to have the energy to push through hiking shoes, and there is probably more that I am missing. Being gluten-free and dairy-free in Nepal meant white rice with veggies became my meal of choice for EVERY MEAL while practicing to trek and actually trekking. Fill up on those carbs girl! Your body will need them. Here are five things you should consider BEFORE signing up to do one of the hardest workouts of your life….

Diet

I wish I could give better advice on this, but I was living life on the edge with this one. Literally, I was downing rice, peanut butter, and almonds like it was nobody's business. This is not the correct time to start your life-changing diet. Be ready to eat some pretty bland foods and a lot of them. Don't be scared to eat 5 cups of rice and veggies, you'll put those calories to good use. Start at least a month in advance by eating healthy and truly fueling your body. Do not stalk up on cake and brownies the night before either. You want to feel your best! It is not about losing weight, but that would be nice too because that means fewer pounds to hike with.


media.giphy.com


Pre-Hiking & Shoes

This is a big one everyone! Buy proper shoes even if they are costly!!! I had knock-off Timberlands because I couldn't find anything better in the country. They did a pretty good job, but I had the biggest blisters of my life! You do not want to deal with this while trekking. We had some people on our team wear Chacos and sandal-type hiking shoes as well which I do not recommend. It was raining while we were trekking so that meant LAND LEECHES. You won't get these everywhere, but our feet were covered in them, even in boots! It was a bloody mess. After getting the proper shoes, please start fast walking/running each morning and night and maybe getting on a small hiking trail once to twice a week. This is advice from the person who led us in trekking and he was an hour ahead of the rest of us (my true goals).


media.giphy.com


Trail Information & Hostels

KNOW. WHERE. YOU. ARE. GOING. AND. STAYING. I am thankful we had a leader who has done this multiple times and knew exactly where we were going. I couldn't imagine carrying a 30-pound backpack, not knowing how or when I would get to the place I am staying for the night. Some trails do cost a good amount of money anywhere you go, so be prepared for entrance fees as well.


Photo from Trip Advisor


Packing Your Bag

This one is one of the most important to me because it took me a couple of tries to get it right. Bring your water, I don't care if it is heavy, bring ten water bottles. Bring snacks that contain sugar, salt, and things that are filling. I brought fruit snacks, granola, trail mix full of nuts with antioxidants, dark chocolate, and salty popcorn. Bring apples and bananas if you want something healthier. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a night light (when it's dark), gloves, trekking poles, extra socks (land leeches made a mess), a first aid kit always, and your phone for some pump-up music when you feel like you cannot go on.


Photo provided by @gabriela_gil


Community

Do not go alone!! First of all, that could be dangerous and everything is more fun with a friend. It distracts you from the torture your legs are enduring and there will be someone there to help you up after you slip (which is bound to happen).


Photo provided by @lexiiiiii_marshall


Trekking is fun, hard, and most of all, worth it. Happy hiking!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

132415
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

30685
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

28224
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments