A1. Trekking is about walking in the
hills and camping. Carrying all your requirements like food, clothes and shelter
with you as you move along a trail.
Q2. What are the advantages of
trekking ?
A2. It is one of the ways to visit
places which offer great panoramic views and pleasant environs. The places
which one can visit only by walking, since there are no roads up to these
places. It brings one closer to the nature and brings the best out of an
individual. For a complete answer one has to go on a trek or camp to find out
the joys and advantages of going to the wild.
Q3. Is trekking difficult?
A3. Depends upon the type of
region you have decided to trek in, the climate, the altitude you will trek at
and whether the trail is one frequented by other trekkers or seldom used.
Q4. Can one do trekking all by
himself?
A4. Yes, one can certainly do
trekking all alone. But for this you must have sufficient knowledge of all
aspects of trekking and survival. However, it is advisable to do trekking in
group to take care of all the eventualities one may encounter during the outing
in the wild.
Q5. How fit a person can come on
trekking?
A5. Any reasonably fit person from 10
to 60 years may undertake trekking. Persons having heart problems should not undertake tough treks. Persons with knee problems must remember that trekking
involves walking up and down rough and steep slopes and bad knees may not take
the rigorous of the activity. A person who can run 05 Kms without any problems
and who does not suffer from any ailments may have no difficult in trekking.
Q6 I have no previous knowledge of
trekking, how can I start?
A6 The best way is to start with the
someone in your area who is involved in the activity. If you are not aware of
anyone, start with the adventure clubs who organize adventure camps. All the
expertise required for organizing the trekking and the equipment required are
made available to the participants by these clubs.
Q7. How safe is trekking?
A7. Easy trails frequented by many
trekkers are quite safe as help in any eventuality is likely to be available.
Less frequented trails are full of more adventures and so more risky. Generally
the risk involved is injury due to which one is not in a position to move and so
beyond the reach of medical help. The other may be due to bad weather, which
again prevents movement and thus leads to shortages of ration. A well organized
trek/ camp is quite safe as care is taken to meet all the problems one may
encounter.
Q8 What about the harm from wild
animals?
A8 Consider yourself lucky if you see one during your trekking/ camping. Dawn and dusk are the times when one may
encounter a wild animal on the trail and generally during these times the
trekkers are in and around their camps.
Q9. How much one has to walk in a
day?
Q9. You may decide depending upon the
time you have on your hand and what all you want to do. The camps organized by
clubs are planned taking into consideration the fitness level of participants
and not to miss the fun of trekking and camping.
Q10. What is the right food for a
trek?
A10. The activity of trekking
involves a lot of hard work. In the high mountains the level of oxygen also goes
down and with this digestion of food becomes difficult. The body is constantly
losing fluids due to dry environment. Thus one must have lots of water to which
sugar and little amount of salt has been added. The solid food should be such
that cam be digested easily and may be high carbohydrate diet.
Q11. What are the items one should
carry on the trekking trips?
A11. The individual items involve
your clothing required during walking and while at camp/ sleeping, good walking
shoes, walking stick, sun screen cream, toiletry items, camera etc. You must remember that you may be carrying all these personal items on your back and so
you must decide what all to carry or not to carry. Suggested List of items.
Q12. Should I carry any medicines?
A12. An individual must carry
medicines which have been prescribed to him by doctor. This is an individual
requirement. However for the complete team a first aid box is a must. Depending
upon the region no medical help may be available and one must be ready for any
medical emergency. Suggested list of medicines.
Q13. What precautions one should take before a
trekking/camping trip?
A13. Chances of a fit trekker
suffering from sickness are quite low. People should avoid competition in high
mountains and should not push themselves beyond their limits. Before a trip
physical conditioning, medical check-up may be of immense help.
