If you want to heal your soul, improve your health and enrich your life in 2020, go trekking. There are a lot of beautiful places in the world that you will have a chance to see once you decide to pack a backpack.
At first, you might think that trekking is a difficult activity. However, after the training session, you will see that walking up the mountains can be enjoyable and refreshing. Before you decide to go on an adventure of your lifetime, make sure to proper properly. It will help you to prevent sore muscles and blisters. Here is what you need to know to prepare for a trek:
Start as soon as possible
Do you have one year until your trekking trip? It’s even better! It’s recommended to start working on a trek conditioning program as soon as possible so that your body can adapt to the physical demands. If you start early, you will have enough time to build strength and increase endurance.
You can use this time to improve your fitness program and help yourself avoid injury. So, don’t postpone your training sessions.
Pack your bag wisely
Most probably, you will not find a lot of shops, restaurants and hotels on your way. That’s why you need to create your own packing list and stick to it.
When it comes to clothing and footwear, you will need to take quick-drying pants, lightweight jacket, moisture-wicking underwear, gaiters.
You also need to pack trail snacks such as nuts, energy bars, and jerky. Also, it would be best if you did not rely on a plastic bottle.
According to experts in Paybis, you should take money in different currencies in case you travel abroad. Make sure to split your cash and keep it in different places. The chances of being robbed while trekking are pretty low. However, it’s better to be prepared for every situation. If you have a pair of waterproof boots, consider hiding at least twenty bucks in there as well.
Your packing list should also include maps, compass, first aid kit, insect repellent, toilet paper, knife, gear-repair kit, and a flashlight.
Find the right pair of shoes
Needless to say, a pair of trekking shoes is one of the most important gears you should have while trekking. All you need to know is that you will spend more time in your shoes than you’ll spend in the tent. To choose a perfect pair, you should know the duration of your journey and the load you will have to carry.
If you plan to spend just a day or two on the road, consider getting shoes with rubber soles. You will need to look for mid-rise, water-resistant trekking boots in case you plan to have an unforgettable two or three-week adventure.
Besides buying comfortable shoes, you should also get the right walking socks. Experienced trekkers buy socks made out of materials that have sweat-wicking properties and are waterproof as well.
Hit the gym
As you can understand, you will have to go to the gym more often. To build leg strength, include weighted squats and leg presses into your gym routine. If you want to improve your trekking stamina, start jogging. Also, you should go on weight training and work on your breathing technique.
To practice the breathing technique, you need to put your hand on your stomach and concentrate on pulling air into the lungs with your diaphragm. If your chest doesn’t move, while you are breathing, it means you do everything right.
Some people should also work on building mental toughness. So, try to push yourself as often as possible. For instance, aim to increase your workout intensity every time you hit the gym.
Other than that, you should also consider exercising while using your loaded backpack so that your body will get used to extra weight.
Hydrate yourself and eat well
Another important thing is to start drinking more water throughout the day. Your fluid needs will increase while trekking. So if you don’t want to reduce blood volume during your journey, hydrate yourself frequently.
To understand how much you need to drink, use the urine test. In case you have a dark straw, it means you need to drink more often.
Also, start eating small frequent meals to maintain energy levels. You may also want to experiment and try eating ‘on the way’.
The bottom line
Trekking can be a life-changing experience. Before you go on an adventure, make sure to improve your physical health. To do so, you need to hit the gym frequently, improve eating habits and hydrate yourself more often.
Other than that, make sure to choose the right pair of trekking shoes and pack your bag wisely. You should start preparing as soon as possible to ensure your trip is a success.
