8 tips for first-time trekkers

"Let's go on a trek to the Himalayas!", who knew these innocent words of my brother in law in April 2014 would land us in one of the most beautiful places on earth and give us some of the most memorable experiences of our lives a year later!

Last month (May 22, 2015), he and I embarked on our first high-altitude trek in the Himalayas to Rupin Pass - 15250ft above sea level, 60+ Kms over 8 days. It was a very well organized trek by India Hikes, one of the oldest trekking companies in India. While a detailed post on our experiences is due, I thought a list (to add to the many I see on my Facebook timeline) of things to remember / do as a first-time trekker might be useful. These are based on our experiences and learning, and is by no means a conclusive guide.

The Climb up to the Upper Waterfall

1. Physical Training before is an absolute must:

Treks are physically demanding on the body which means you need to keep yourself in reasonably good shape before you start. India Hikes stipulates that you should be able to run 4.5 Kms in half hour and has a fitness regime defined for the Rupin Pass trek. I cannot stress how much this will help when you are scaling the 70+ degree slopes with your backpack. Even with the training you will feel the aches and pains, but your body will cope faster if you have done some preparation beforehand. As I look back, I realize that the regular running 5 weeks prior helped me tremendously. 

2. Pack only what is recommended by the team:

What you find in a trekkers backpack will immediately tell you if he / she is a first-timer or not. As a first-time trekker you will be eager to carry extras that might seem useful for future use. We went through the same process, only to end up leaving some of our stuff behind at various camps. India Hikes published a list of things to carry on our trek. Carry all the essentials and reduce wherever possible. If you are travelling with a companion, you can consider sharing the load on some items (medicines, toiletries, etc.).

3. Buy / Borrow good gear:

I had a bit of an  episode with a torn strap of the backpack which I had borrowed from a colleague. You don't want a wet or torn shoe to shorten or ruin your trekking experience. In my case it was fixed by a sturdy knot tied by out trek guide and some stitches to the side but, it made me realize the importance of carrying sturdy equipment. Invest in some good gear if you can afford it - shoes, gloves, fleece, backpack, walking pole etc. These could mean the difference between having an OK experience to having an Awesome one!  

4. Prepare yourself mentally:

This is as important as the physical training and there will be times that you could be home-sick, demotivated or depressed. Remember that you are going to be away for at least 10 days (8 trek + 2 travel). There is NOT going to be any mobile network for almost all of these days. You will be in the company of strangers, living in a not-so-comfortable setting, battling the elements of nature and your own physical limits. If you are not used to any of this, you need to mentally prepare even more. This was not meant to scare you, but help you prepare for the realities of your trek. You can take comfort in the fact that you will not be alone and that when you complete this it would be something you will be talking about for the rest of your life! 

5. To Diamox or Not:

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is not uncommon on high altitude treks like the one we were on. Headaches, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, dizziness and difficulty in sleeping are some of the symptoms that one must be constantly aware of. Acetazolamide (Diamox) is a pill available to assist acclimatization and prevent high altitude sickness. India Hikes has a very good article about how it works. As a first-time trekker who did not want to risk ruining the trek experience, I went on a course as suggested a day before we reached base camp. It worked out well for me and I completed the trek with no signs of AMS and no side effects. I would hence recommend it, if you think you might be prone.

6. Focus, Rhythm and Determination are all that matter:

On the first day of the trek, there were times I felt that it was way too difficult and that I would struggle to complete it. But thanks to the constant motivation and invaluable advice of the trek lead, the walking became easier and more fun. "Focus on your breathing, maintain a rhythm in your steps, and keep moving" is what he said. Remember that you are on a trek and not a race, so maintain a pace that is most comfortable to you. Shorter strides over longer ones conserves your energy for when you need it. Focus on the trail and your next step, as any wrong footing could mean a fall in to the valley below. On our trek, we took sufficient breaks to catch our breath, acclimatize and more importantly to take in the beauty. The pristine landscapes should give you enough motivation to keep going!

7. Mingle with fellow trekkers:

One of the most interesting aspects of going on an organized trek is that you meet people who share a passion for trekking. Some of them may be first-timers like you while others with multiple treks under their belt. A shared experience of the aches, pains, homesickness on the one end, and the euphoria and feeling of accomplishment on the other, help in cementing strong bonds between the group. You may not know much about the people you are with at the start of the trek, but by the end of it you would have known everyone's strengths and weaknesses.

8. Eat Well, Sleep Well and Enjoy the journey:

The food prepared on our trek was simple, nutritious and tasty. An army marches on its stomach. This was evident on the second last day, when we started our ascent at 5.30 AM after eating breakfast and carrying just two packets of biscuits as lunch. After a difficult climb, we were famished by 1.30 PM. If it weren't for the 2 parathas, achaar and Tang sent to us from the camp ahead we would have struggled to reach. Eat well at the campsites, be careful not to overeat, so small portions at a time. Roti over rice as they are packed with energy. Sleeping at high altitudes is difficult, but try and make the best of the situation and catch enough winks through the night. Keeping yourself warm will help. 

Finally, enjoy every bit of the experience, you will soon realize that the trek is not about the destination but everything on the journey!