Rency Thomas
Rency enjoys identifying as an outdoor leader, survival instructor, and adventurer. He has a deep appreciation for the Himalayas and is a passionate trekker who loves hiking mountains and engaging in exciting activities during his leisure time.
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“I cannot reword.”
Trekking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the world. In India, the number of people trekking to the Himalayas is increasing year after year. There are many new exciting routes getting opened every year, as the popular trails are getting more and more crowded. It is one such activity which can be mastered quickly and every time you go to those mountains you starve for more.
There are few mistakes which most of the people take lightly in their treks and learn them in a very hard way, most of the time even hurting or injuring themselves. Here in this guide, we will discuss those simple mistakes and how to avoid them easily to have a wonderful trekking experience every time you go to the mountains.
Explore: Popular Treks in India
1. Underestimating Altitude
Altitude and the associated issues are indeed a genuine concern. The main error we tend to make is underestimating this concealed danger. Additionally, there is often confusion regarding what constitutes high altitude. The consequence of this confusion and underestimation typically leads to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), which significantly diminishes the overall trekking experience and can even worsen life-threatening conditions such as High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) or High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE).
How to Avoid?
Many people show symptoms of AMS even at 1200m/3960ft, and many get acclimatised very fast even at 3500m/11550ft. Acclimatization is completely dependent on person to person and the physical wellness of an individual at a particular point in time. Few simple practices which can avoid AMS, in case you are directly flying into a high altitude place, like Leh in India, Lhasa in Tibet or even Bogota in Columbia, are taking complete rest for 24 to 48 hrs and drinking lots of fluids. An ideal height gain while trekking above 3000m/10000ft is 300m/1000ft of sleeping altitude in a day and a rest day every third day. As a rule of thumb climb high and sleep low for better acclimatization.
Altitude scale:
High altitude: 2438m/8000ft – 3658m/12000ft
Very high altitude: 3658m/12000ft – 5487m/18000ft
Extremely high altitude: 5500m+ m /18000ft+ ft
Must Read: What are the important steps to take to Acclimatize better?
2. Hypothermia & Frostbite
It doesn’t need to be a winter trek to worry about the cold weather and the risks associated with it. Depending on where you are trekking, it can be cold throughout the year, which can make you feel colder, uncomfortable and give you serious illness associated with it. To top it up the mountain weather can be very unpredictable and risky.
How to avoid?
Wearing appropriate clothing in the correct manner, along with consuming the right food and staying hydrated, is the key to preventing hypothermia and frostbite. When I mention proper clothing, I am referring to a three-part system of layering. This includes a base layer that effectively wicks away sweat from your skin, a middle layer that provides insulation against the cold, and an outer shell layer that shields you from rain and wind. By layering your clothing, you can maintain comfort during your trek by adding or removing layers to prevent overheating or becoming too cold. It is important for the layers to be loose and comfortable, avoiding tight-fitting garments. Cotton should be avoided and replaced with synthetic or wool materials. Cotton has the poorest ability to wick away moisture and takes the longest time to dry if it becomes wet.
Body parts such as the ears, nose, cheeks, fingers, and toes are more susceptible to frostbite when exposed to extremely cold temperatures and chilly winds. To protect your hands, it is recommended to wear fleece gloves as a base layer and waterproof/windproof gloves as an outer layer. For the neck, nose, and cheeks, neck gaiters can be used, while headbands or balaclavas can protect the ears. To keep your feet safe, wear high-quality shoes that have been broken in and pair them with synthetic or wool socks. It is also important to take care of your feet after hiking by cleaning, drying, and changing into dry socks.
During cold weather, your body requires additional energy to combat the cold. Therefore, it is equally crucial to provide your body with nutritious food and fluids. It is common to have a reduced appetite in cold conditions, so it is advisable to have some energy-rich snacks and water readily available. This way, you can continuously nibble and sip throughout the day.
Must Read: How to Prepare for a High Altitude Trek
3. Wearing Improper Dress
A lot of hikers often wear excessive amounts of cotton or denim. I have witnessed hikers facing difficulties while attempting a trek in tight jeans, completely soaked after crossing a river. Some individuals even brave the freezing temperatures by wearing thick leather jackets.
How to avoid?
Many people mistakenly believe that jeans provide warmth due to their thickness. However, it is important to recognize that denim is primarily composed of 100% cotton. When jeans become wet, they do not dry efficiently, which can result in hypothermia. Additionally, changing jeans is not a simple or fast process like it is with trekking pants. When it comes to outdoor activities, jeans should be avoided as they can be detrimental and limit movement compared to high-quality synthetic trekking pants.
A leather jacket is not a suitable replacement for a down jacket or an insulating layer. While it can be useful as a windcheater, it is advisable to avoid it due to its weight. Instead, it is recommended to have a breathable wind/rain cheater specifically designed for trekking. Layering is key, as relying on just one layer of the jacket will not provide sufficient protection against the freezing cold in mountainous areas.
4. Blisters or Shoe Bite
Blisters are one of the most common problems seen while trekking, a few hours down the trek and you’re already suffering to walk due to blisters and shoe bite.
How to avoid?
Major reasons behind blisters are wearing new shoes before the break-in, shoes of not the right fit or size, socks with low or no wicking properties. When you walk for long hours your feet start to swell and sweat, the sweat makes the socks wet and stick to the skin which in turn starts to rub against the inside of your shoes to create blisters.
As a rule of thumb, never wear a new pair of shoes for the first time on a trek. In case you need new boots for the upcoming trek, ensure to plan and buy it well in advance to break in properly before the actual trek. Always choose shoes of the correct size and fit, wear shoes and do trail inside the store itself to self check the comfortability before buying. Try to keep your feet as dry as possible and wear good quality socks with wicking properties like woollen or synthetic so that it wicks the sweat away from your skin.
5. Cramps & Fatigue
Experiencing cramps, fatigue, dizziness, and tiredness is a common occurrence during trekking. In fact, many individuals are forced to halt their trek or are unable to fully enjoy the entire experience due to these symptoms. Dehydration and excessive mineral loss are often the underlying causes for such discomfort.
How to avoid?
When the amount of fluid leaving the body exceeds the amount being consumed, an individual is considered to be dehydrated. While trekking, the extent of fluid loss depends on factors such as location and difficulty level, which can occur through breathing, urination, and sweating. In colder regions at higher altitudes, the dry air absorbs additional moisture from each breath and sweat. The greater the amount of sweating and urination, the more fluids and minerals are lost, ultimately resulting in dehydration.
A wide-mouth water container or a hydration bladder is essential for any trek. While a hydration system may not work as well in cold conditions, it is a good alternative to bottles. The key is to have a continuous supply of water. On a moderate trek, a healthy person will need about half a liter of water per hour. To replenish minerals and fluids, you can add a small amount of rehydration salts (electrolytes) to your water or snack on healthy snacks along with water. When your body is well-hydrated, you will be better equipped to handle tiredness, muscle fatigue, and acclimate faster. It’s important to monitor the color of your urine, as it should always be pale. If it’s not, it means you are not hydrating properly.
6. Packing Too Much – Heavy Backpack
In each group of hikers, there are always a few individuals who find it difficult to carry their own backpacks due to excessive weight. Some struggle because their backpacks are not packed properly or are not suitable for the specific hike. Interestingly, after enduring all these challenges, they often realize by the end of the hike that they have only used a small fraction, less than 10%, of what they packed.
How to avoid?
Bring only the absolute essentials when trekking for two weeks. This includes the clothes you are currently wearing, along with one spare t-shirt and a pair of pants. It is rare that you will need an extra set of clothes for layering. Invest in a trekking backpack that is specifically designed for this purpose, as regular backpacks will not suffice. A 50L trekking backpack should be sufficient to carry everything you need, including a sleeping bag. Opting for a lightweight backpack will enhance your trekking experience, allowing you to enjoy it more efficiently and comfortably.
7. Avoiding Trekking Poles
Some people view trekking poles as an extra weight and underestimate their usefulness. A few individuals believe that using trekking poles can impact their image, while others may consider them to be of lower quality.
How to avoid?
A trekking pole has many uses and can be a lifesaver by providing stability in challenging terrains. It acts as an extra leg, reducing strain on your knees. It can be a reliable companion when crossing rivers and navigating steep descents. Using a trekking pole greatly enhances your trekking experience, making it more enjoyable and less exhausting.
8. Packing Too Many Toiletries
Wet wipes that can last a lifetime, a complete makeup kit, deodorant, big shampoo bottles, hair conditioners, complete shaving kit, and a big tube of toothpaste; just to name a few contents in a rookie trekkers kit of toiletries. They mostly have very urban reasonings for packing all this, not realising the fact that they would rarely be using any of this during the trek.
How to avoid?
You do not require a large amount of toiletries for a trek. To survive, all you need is a small tube of soap, a similar amount of toothpaste, a small sunscreen lotion, a toothbrush, and a toilet roll. Any additional items would only add unnecessary weight to your backpack. Wet wipes should not be used on a trek as they are not biodegradable and are heavy. Most importantly, these non-essential items only add weight to your backpack and take up valuable space that should be reserved for essential items.
9.Starting Late And Speeding The Pace
In the trekking group, it is evident that the mornings always begin late. Some members are prepared with their backpacks, ready to start the trek, while others are still packing or having breakfast. Due to the delayed start, there is a rush to reach the destination punctually.
How to avoid?
In mountainous regions, the valleys experience earlier darkness compared to the plains due to the Sun disappearing behind the mountains well before sunset. If you start your journey late in the morning, you will have already missed a significant portion of daylight. Consequently, you will be forced to increase your pace in order to reach the campsite before it gets dark, even if you would rather not. Trekking in darkness is unpleasant and the temperature drops rapidly once the Sun is hidden by the mountains.
It is ideal to pack and leave the camp as early as possible so that you have enough time to trek in the daytime. This will help you to walk at your comfortable pace with enough rest and time to appreciate nature. For a good trekking experience, it is advised to walk at a comfortable steady pace by avoiding unwanted speeding up or running, which can get you tired and worn out very fast.
10. Not Using Sunscreen And Sunglasses
Many trekkers have a tendency to avoid using sunscreen and sunglasses, which is a common habit. This behavior stems from a mistaken belief that individuals with darker skin do not require sunscreen, leading to sunburns and skin irritations. In snowy and icy environments, not wearing sunglasses can cause temporary vision loss known as snow blindness.
How to avoid?
UV rays in the mountains are highly potent and, regrettably, they do not differentiate between light and dark skin. Direct exposure to UV rays can cause significant skin irritations and burns. It is recommended to generously apply sunscreen to any exposed skin areas. Additionally, for optimal protection, it is advisable to reapply sunscreen whenever it becomes visibly worn off from the skin.
Nobody wants to get blind in the middle of an interesting and challenging trek. Snow blindness can be very painful and burning with red eyes, in other words, it’s just sunburned eyes. Snow reflects more than 80% of the UV rays and in high altitudes, the sun’s UV rays are stronger than in lower places. It is very important and mandatory to wear good quality dark coloured sunglasses, covering the complete eyes, every time you are in the mountains during daylight.
11. Forgetting The Essential Medicine and Menstrual Products
I have witnessed hikers reaching the distant villages located at high altitudes in the mountains and discovering that they have unintentionally forgotten their medications at home.
During the trek, a woman approaches the guide and requests assistance in obtaining a sanitary pad for her friend, as they were unprepared for her menstrual cycle during the journey.
How to avoid
Most of your prescription medicines, including specific brands, may not be readily available outside of your own city. It is unlikely that remote mountain towns will have a pharmacist who stocks a wide range of medicines. Even if you do find one, it will be extremely difficult for them to obtain the medicine you need before you embark on your trek. It is essential that you bring all of your prescription medicines with you from home. It is wise to carry a little extra in case your trip is delayed due to unforeseen circumstances and you run out of your essential medications. Additionally, it is a good practice to always carry a small, basic personal first aid kit while on the trek.
Always anticipate menstruation during the trek and ensure you have menstrual products, including any necessary medications, with you. Even if you don’t experience your period during the trek, it’s beneficial to carry them in case someone else requires them.
Conclusion
Abraham Lincoln once stated that if he was given six hours to chop down a tree, he would dedicate the initial four hours to sharpening the axe before beginning the task.
There are many simple mistakes like the few topics mentioned above, which people make in treks mostly due to ignorance or because of lack of guidance. In the mountains even simple mistakes can be fatal, it is important that you read a lot, understand and discuss with experts, to prepare yourself well before venturing out or signing up for adventures. That will ensure a safe, enjoyable and memorable experience.
