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Trekking for Beginners: 11 Ways to Prepare for a Trekking Adventure

Trekking is always a nice physical activity for people to get into because it has multiple benefits.

First of all, there’s the obvious physical fitness improvement. Second, it’s a great way to de-stress. By connecting with nature, you feel less bogged down by your problems.

These two aren’t the only benefits to trekking, however, although they’re strong reasons to get into this activity yourself.

If you’re interested in trekking, then you should prepare yourself first. This is to ensure your safety, as well as help you have a good time while trekking.

In this article, you’ll find a list of things that you have to do first before you start going on that trekking adventure. Before you set out for your trip, make sure that you do these first so that you have the safest and most fun time on your trek.

 

Choose an Easy Trek

Since you’re only starting out, you should know your limits. Thus, when setting out for a trek, you need to pace yourself and go on an easier trek.

No matter if you’re an athlete in other aspects, you should always treat trekking as a new activity that you have to get to know first.

On the other hand, if this is your first time to trek, and you’re not physically active, it can put a strain on you to go on more difficult treks. Not only will this tire you out, but it will make you dislike trekking altogether, which will be an unfortunate result.

Lookup for trails that are perfect for beginners so that you get a bit of exercise without exhausting yourself too much.

 

Start Your Trekking Training Early

If you aren’t physically active, then going trekking might be too challenging for you. Thus, you need to start training for it even before you go on the trip.

Even if you’re already physically active again, long walks might be a bit different depending on what types of physical activities you get yourself into.

Walking short distances is a great start, that will get you used to walk long distances eventually.

Treks require quite a bit of stamina. So if you don’t develop that endurance beforehand, then treks will take a lot out of you if you aren’t careful.

 

Use Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are about one of the few pieces of training equipment that you need with you when it comes to treks.

If you plan on going trekking for the long-term, they’re also a great investment for this physical activity. Much like how a boxer needs their gloves, a runner needs their running shoes, and a trekker needs their trekking pole.

With the help of walking poles, you can make the long walk easier on your body. It can help you unload by spreading the load over to the poles instead of on your knees or your things. This advantage will be vital during the steeper treks.

 

Check the Weather

The weather will have a drastic effect on your trek. Thus, before you go on your trip, you have to make sure that you check the weather reports beforehand. Otherwise, you might find yourself in the middle of a rainstorm trekking and soaked to the bones.

Given the fact that you’re still a beginner, going trekking during not-so-ideal weather situations will not be the best or safest for you. It’s best that you take that into account before going on the trip.

Have a back-up plan in case your trekking ends up canceled because of the weather conditions.

 

Choose the Appropriate Footwear for Your Trek

More than you hiking poles, your feet are going to bear a lot of your weight. Thus, you should make sure that you get the appropriate footwear that will help your feet during your trek.

Your old rubber shoes may be insufficient. Also, if you wear uncomfortable pairs of shoes with you, you’re going to have aching feet during the whole trek.

Even using newer trekking boots can be tough if you haven’t broken them in yet, so make sure you do that first before bringing them with you.

 

Practice Walking With Your Backpack

Even if you are preparing for your trek by walking longer distances increasingly, it might not suffice if you don’t add one extra thing.

When you’re trekking, you are also most likely lugging around a backpack with you. Thus, you need to get used to this load on your back so that you aren’t unexpectedly tired in the middle of your trek.

Once you’ve gotten used to short walks, try and incorporate your backpack into these short walks. That way, you’re used to bringing along a backpack while you’re walking. While you’re at it, wear your hiking boots to make them more comfortable the day of the hike.

 

Fuel Your Body and Stay Hydrated

When you’re trekking, it’s important to get your energy levels up. Hence, the need to bring some hydration and sustenance with you during the trek.

Having easy-to-consume meals like trail mix will definitely help.

Of course, having a healthy breakfast beforehand is also a big help in keeping yourself energized at the start. Make sure that you bring a water bottle with you so that you’re hydrated while trekking.

When you’re practicing walks before the trek, make sure that you also eat snacks as you go along.

 

Go at Your Own Pace

Nobody likes being a beginner at anything because people tend to compare themselves to others.

When you’re trekking for the first time, it’s normal that you aren’t used to long treks. In this case, you should listen to your body and tackle the trek at your own pace.

This isn’t a marathon where you have to cross the finish line first. Pace yourself by going at different speeds during your trek. During your slower pace, try and look at the sights around you and enjoy yourself.

 

Pack All the Essentials

There are certain items that are very important during a trek that you should keep in mind.

Food is an obvious one as you may not have access to food items in the trail. Of course, you should also bring copious amounts of water. Better to have too many than too few in this case.

Another thing you should bring with you is extra clothes that are relatively durable, just in case. Also, first aid kits can also help.

 

Keep Your Pack Light

A lot of people who are new to trekking might want to overpack because of fears that they don’t have everything that they need. However, this will be quite a hassle when you’re trekking because the pack will be unnecessarily heavy.

Thus, when you’re packing for the trip, make sure that you keep it light so as not to burden yourself further during your trek. You’ll be thankful to your past self for doing this as a trek, especially for beginners, can be quite tiring even with practice.

 

Leave No Trace

It’s important that you have respect for nature when you’re a trekker.

An unspoken rule is that you leave no trace of yourself when you go on a trek. Don’t throw away any of your items out in nature. Be responsible for the things that you bring with you.

When bringing any food items with you, try and remove them from their original packaging. Repackage them inside resealable storage. Also, keep your trash in your bag if you have any. Throw them away once you get to a trash bin. Do your part in keeping nature as clean and preserved as possible.

 

Final Thoughts

No matter what you’re doing, if you’re only a beginner at it, then you need to learn how to pace yourself. This tip is especially true for trekking.

There are all sorts of preparations that you should do before you can go on a full-on trekking trip. Make sure that you not only get your exercise but that you make the most out of it and enjoy yourself while you’re there.

By reading this list and following these prep tips, you should have no problems in your upcoming trek trip.

 

About the Author

Geraldine Mills is a self-confessed wanderlust from the land down under, Australia! She funds her adventures by working as a brand consultant and as a travel writer. She loves sharing the allure of backpacking and being one with nature.