Nepal is the land of eight-thousanders meaning that the tiny Himalayan country has some of the loftiest peaks in the world. In fact, Nepal is the only country with several peaks that are more than eight thousand feet above sea level and still rising. The tiny Himalayan country in South Asia boasts of being home to the highest mountain peak on earth, Mount Everest.
So if trekking on the world’s loftiest mountains is a part of your bucket list, then a trip to Nepal is a must. This article gives some handy tips for beginners so that they can enjoy trekking in Nepal.
6 Tips That Will Go A Long Way In Making Your Trekking Experience A Memorable One
Pay Special Attention To Planning Your Route
There are several ways to plan an ascent to a mountain peak, and you must select a route that suits your physical and mental strength. Most experienced travelers will be aware of the physical strength that their bodies can withstand without breaking down.
However, you are still trying to determine your strengths and weaknesses as a beginner. So it is best to choose a path that is the least arduous.
Choose a path that has the least elevation gain. The greater the elevation gain, the steeper the slope. A flat slope means less perpendicular distance covered for a given lateral distance. However, the steeper the slope, the higher the ascent per unit distance.
Also, steep slopes are notorious for losing grip. So if you are not an experienced mountaineer, go for a path with a comparatively flat slope. You might have to have a long journey when you take a gentle path. But it is definitely better than injuring and maiming yourself.
Take Expert Advice On Dealing With The Himalayan Cold
Apart from the ascent, you need to pay attention to the weather. The Himalayan peaks are brutal for chilly winds and snow, but if you are scaling smaller peaks, it is possible to avoid extremes of weather. There are several reasons to avoid the extremes of weather.
Medical problems like frost bites and breathing trouble become common in extremes of cold. Also, you will need more equipment and need to wear more layers to withstand the cold.
This is where your Arc’teryx gear will come in handy.
Remember that all the equipment you will need on a trek will have to be borne on your back throughout the climb. So if you do not want to bear the burden of several kilograms, it is best to avoid routes that will need a whole lot of mountaineering gear.
Take Into Account The Water Crossing In Your Path
If you are trekking, you will likely need to cross more than one water body in your path. You might need to cross a full-fledged stream or a narrow rivulet. But it is best to figure out if a water body has a tidal pattern.
If a river does follow tidal patterns, you should plan your travel according to it. It is always better to cross a river while it is low tide than when it is in a high hide. Also, Himalayan streams are notorious for their speed, and you might need a raft or a rope to cross the stream without getting flown downstream. So it is always better to learn a little bit of rafting before you embark on a Himalayan journey.
Finally, if you are traveling in winter, be very careful about frozen water. Many rivers freeze on the surface but are still liquid underneath the topmost layer. If you are not careful, you might face a terrible accident if the thin upper layer of ice gives way.
Take A Sherpa Along
Sherpas are locals, and they are experts at scaling peaks. Most groups take a sherpa along simply because of his experience. Most locals are well acquainted with the path. Remember that you will not have a phone or a GPS to guide you on your trek.
So a sherpa is the best person to guide you through the routes. Again, Sherpas are pretty agile and fit, and if you do end up with an injury, you will most likely need a sherpa to rescue you.
Research About The National Parks, Sanctuaries, And Monasteries On Your Way
Nepal has several national parks like Sagarmatha, Chitwan, etc. And if you wish to visit them on your trek, you need to do a little bit of research about them. Entering a national park will require an entry fee.
Some parks may also require your documents, especially if you are a foreign national. Again, there are specific times when the national parks are closed for tourists. This is because most national parks that have animals do not wish to disturb the animals after the Sun sets.
Likewise, monasteries allow visitors at certain specific times of the day. And you must adhere to the time if you are to see life in a monastery.
Start A Trek Only If Your Are Prepared Physically
A trek in the Himalayas is a physically challenging task. You will have to walk for hours with a rucksack on your back. So it would help if you worked on your muscular strength to walk for hours without getting cramps.
Again, if you are a beginner, you should try carrying a day’s luggage instead of the entire rucksack. So you can carry just a day’s meal and baggage instead of all the gear, food, and baggage for the entire trek.
You should gradually increase the load of your rucksack so that your body gets used to the stress and strain of traveling long hours on foot. If you cannot carry your rucksack on your first trek, you can always take the service of a porter.
Conclusion
Trekking on the Himalayan slopes is a fun-filled activity, and most adventure lovers would not mind traveling to Nepal for the trek of their lifetime. However, a Himalayan trek is anything but easy, and as a beginner, you must be physically prepared and mentally strong enough to complete the journey.