Exploring Himalayas is a dream for every adventurous heart. So experiencing any Himalayan trek needs a proper preparation and the right spirit. Then it would be a fun being in the mountains. So taking this constructive approach to the Himalayas brings you the joyful reward as a pleasant memoir. Taking bad attitude and wrong preparation would lead to an adverse experience. Any casualty can happen at any time while trekking in the Himalayas. Your responsibility is in your own hands. So here are some do’s and don’ts that you should have a glance before leaving for a trek.
Do’s
- Positive attitude
Attitude is a key thing while trekking. Having bad attitude that ‘nothing happens to me’ or ‘I know everything ‘could cause to a disastrous moment. So think positive and listen to your instructors or leaders.
- Following leaders
Following your leader or the instructor is always helpful and necessary. They are mostly from concerning place that they know everything and every situation about the place of trekking.
- Medical kit
Whenever leaving for a trek always keep a medical kit along with you. It should contain basic medicines to avoid high altitude sickness, headache etc.
- Water intake
Drink water as much as you can, because it will keep you hydrated even if you are not feeling thirsty.
- Being cooperative
Help each other whoever is in need. Being cooperative in the mountains will bring respect, carefulness and happiness in you.
- Eat healthy
Eat healthy food during the trek. This will keep you fit and away from any illness.
- Respect observe locals
In any Himalayan region or at any mountainous area local culture is a considerable part. People should be greeted well as they are very fragile when it comes to the cultures and customs. So gain knowledge and information about the culture and living styles of the inhabitants. Give respect to them then you will also be greeted well.
- Take your waste back
You can reduce the pollution in the mountains by taking back all your garbage to the cities, where it can be disposed well. Or cleaning and collecting the litter on the trails.
- Bring Reusable items
Avoid bringing disposable items because they cause huge harm to the nature and last for hundreds of years to decompose. Some people don’t like washing their utensils but this inconvenience should be forgotten for sake of Mother Nature. Bring reusable items like bottles, plates, cups etc.
- Water purifier
In the mountains water is normally clear and pure because chances of contamination are rare. So water is fetched directly from the streams flowing down from the glaciers. But water purifiers are helpful mostly when the streams are dirty or in the chance of contamination. It is good to carry a purifier rather than getting sick of drinking unclear water.
- Energy Bars
Energy bars are helpful to fill your hunger during long distances trek.
Don'ts
- Don’t pollute nature
Our environment is so pure and fragile that one should consider of keeping it clean. Don’t throw or litter anything you have consumed or taking with.
- Conserving water sources
Conserve water sources while on a trek. Defecate, pee or dispose organic waste away from the streams or water sources because it is consumed without filtering by thousands of people living below.
- Maintained water intake
Don’t take too much or too less water. Don’t drink while walking but when you stop wait for a moment and take a sip. Keep doing it like ways.
- Clothing
When you trek an uphill your body gets warmed up very fast, so avoid using excessive clothing. Avoid your body being overheated. Avoid using cotton cloths. Use polyester clothing they are light weighted and easy to dry.
- Walking manners
Don’t walk too fast or too slow, cause if you walk fast you will get tired sooner and if you walk slow you will get left behind with the pack. So walk in a constant speed make rhythm and concentrate on your breathing.
- Avoid using music player while trekking
Don’t use earphones, ipods or any music players while trekking. It is very dangerous as any animal can cause risk or rock fall from the mountain.
- Avoid jerky moves
Don’t jump or do silly things on the trek. It might twist your feet or end your trek in between.
- Don’t rush walk leisurely
Enjoy your trek by walking easily and leisurely. Don’t rush because it’s not any competition or you will get some prize.
- No photographs without permission
Don’t take any photos of locals without their permission. They don’t like to be photographed because of their personal, cultural or superstitious reasons.
- Don’t cover your ears, hands nose
If you want to acclimatize better and faster you should keep your ears, eyes, hands and nose open to the wind and temperature. Because these body parts are sensible and can observe the atmospheric change very quickly. It will help acclimatize better to face an altitude sickness or any other height related problems during a trek.
- Don’t make loud noise
We are used to live in hustle and bustle. But animals living in forests are not used to it. It can change their natural behavior that could cause some risk to the trekkers passing by. After all creating loud noise is also pollution. Creating a ruckus in the mountain is unacceptable.
- Don’t waste
Trekking is about enjoying nature and surviving with minimal resources. So don’t waste food or any other thing that can be used or consumed.