Pick an introductory route
By this we mean pick a reasonably easy trekking route. Your early treks should be about getting familiar with long-distance, multi-day hiking. Focus on building your strength, getting used to your pack and knowing what to pack. Consider which route can serve as an ‘introductory’ route.
Choose a route with minimal elevation gain, which is to say choose one that’s reasonably flat so you don’t freak out your body and mind by tackling something overwhelming
Don’t go for a route that takes you into extreme weather – not only will this require possible very expensive equipment that you don’t yet have, but it will also tax you physically and mentally in a way that you should perhaps build towards
Don’t go for extreme terrain, like a very rocky path or one with tons of scree.
Picking a manageable trek route increases the chances you’ll feel like smiling in photos!
Choose your season carefully
Trekking often takes you into extreme terrain, such as mountainous territory with snow and glaciers, or deserts with fierce winds and intense heat. You’ll need to do your research thoroughly before choosing when in the year to go. Often winter isn’t the best time, but it all depends on where in the world you are. In some places, spring means a miserable world of flies, midges and other critters. So yes, research is essential.
Firstly, you want to choose a safe season in terms of things like blizzards or possible landslides from water-clogged ground. Not only could such seasonal hazards make your trek unsafe, they could also lead to authorities closing certain paths or parks, which can derail your entire trip.
Trekking often takes you into remote places with little or no cellphone connectivity, few to no people, and few to no services. If you come across trouble of any sort, help isn’t nearby. So you need to be sensible – choose a safe season and head out only if the weather forecast is amenable.
Research any water crossings
Some treks involve a river crossing or two. If it’s a tidal river, then you might well need to cross at low tide, or things could get very wet, even rather hairy. So you may well need to set your starting time for the day in accordance with when you need to arrive at the river for the crossing.
Tell operators when and where you’re going
It’s important that someone outside of the trekking party knows exactly when and where you’re trekking. Often this is imposed on you whether you like it or not by park authorities, who make you sign the park register. At other times, the onus is on you to ensure you sign the mountain register. Never, ever forget to do this, as this is what’s used by authorities to assess if anyone is missing and send out a search party.
If you’re trekking in unmonitored wilderness, it’s even more vital that you let someone know exactly where you’re going. But we don’t recommend heading into such terrain as a novice. Better that you stick to a well-marked trail in a properly monitored park or reserve.
Linked to this is the necessity of sticking to the stated itinerary and trail.
