Going on a trek this monsoon? Experts suggest these tips to make the most of the experience

It is that time of the year when people set out for treks because of the pleasant weather. The fact that many people haven't been able to go on them in the last two years is all the more reason that many of them will be planning to go this season. While going on treks in lush green surroundings, peaks and trails around is definitely fun, experts say one very important aspect that people forget is the planning phase before setting out. It is also the reason why there are many accidents that occur during this time.

"There are a lot more accidents during the monsoon because the amount of people trekking in Maharashtra during the season is far more than the rest of the year. It is also the riskiest and challenging times because of the calamities and higher footfall during this time," explains Shannon Fernandes, founder of Vagabond Experiences, a city-based travel and experiences company, which has been conducting them since 2014 in different parts of the country. While the chances of accidents happening cannot be completely avoided, they can certainly be reduced by simply following a general to-do list.

Mid-day Online spoke to Johann Daniels and Fernandes, the founders of two city-based trekking groups to understand the many challenges while trekking, especially during the monsoon. They also suggest a check-list for people who are planning to go on a trek so that they do their best to avoid any unfortunate incidents while simply wanting to have a good time during the season.

Avoid going on a solo trek
While solo trips have become a trend over the years, experts say it is not the best idea to go on a solo trek because in case there is an accident, there will be nobody for immediate help in the middle of the trail. "If you go on a solo adventure and something happens to you, who is going to take care of you?" asks Johann Daniels, founder of Jack & Hill Adventures, a city-based adventure tour company. The fact that the risk level is really high is why Daniels, who has been a part of the trekking industry for 14 years, suggests going with companions because anything can happen even on an easy route or a path that one is familiar with. "A safe number would be at least two people to go along with you. So, if there is an incident then one person can help you, while the other person goes to get help."

Fernandes agrees with Daniels. In fact, he believes that even if one is the most experienced trekker, they should never trek solo. It is also the reason why he says it is important to do every trek with a guide because what may seem easy to people may actually be difficult especially for people who don't trek that often. He says, "I've been trekking since 2012 and I still do not do a trek that I have not done before without a guide. There is no sense because it's really not fun to get lost, especially in the jungle that has wild animals." So, he advises going on the trek with a local guide. "It's ideal to have a local guide with you, especially because you're not going to lose your way. If a route is blocked by a tree or a landslide. they know other routes because they have experience and are usually from the base village," he explains.

Research and know your landscape
While people want to go on different kinds of treks and some of the most famous peaks, one aspect of trekking that is often neglected by amateurs is checking the landscape one is going to trekking through. Daniels shares, "People go into terrains or places when they don't even understand the landscape, they have probably just seen a video online where the person in the video is explaining it to them but that isn't enough." So, it is important to research and understand your landscape before setting out on a trek, even if it seems like the easiest route. "You should read multiple articles about it to understand where to get out of, if you have an incident and what patch on the route," he adds.

Plan and prepare
While researching about the terrain is an important part of planning and preparing for the trek, it is also important to remember to prepare how to treat an injury. "If you have an injury, you need to know where you need to head to because when the incident happens, it will be difficult for people to think. "The most common way to approach a trek would be to simply say, ‘We'll go and figure it out' but the ideal methodology would be to find out everything - check the weather updates," he adds.

Fernandes adds that in case of monsoon, it is important to check beforehand that there is no forecast of heavy downpour. "Even though the trekking experience itself is actually really nice, it's not about how difficult it gets but it's about what happens to the route during that time like a landslide or the rivers start flooding. During the monsoons in Maharashtra, you have to cross streams and that could be difficult to cross, especially if you have no guidance," he explains. Planning your trek also means knowing your physical capabilities of doing the trek and thus opting to do the hike accordingly.

Carry little but essentials
While most people go on a day hike during the monsoons, Daniels advises that one should travel light and not carry essential things so that your hike gets easier because your bag has less weight and you will not be as tired. He explains, "Two of your biggest essentials are food and water and that is what you should have sufficiently. Sometimes you can also add a little surplus for when you lose the trail for two hours and for that you may need more energy and hydration." While two litre is ideal, it is important to carry a minimum of a litre and then refill later along the way. Home-cooked food is better to avoid trash in the locality. At the same time, Fernandes adds that one should also ask general questions to be aware of where to get food and water in case you have underestimated your consumption; checking about the wildlife, safety and difficulty level of the trek is also necessary to be on the safe side.

Along with food and water, it is also ideal to carry a cap in case it turns out to be sunny on the day of the trek and a raincoat because of the season and the possibility of feeling cold. However, Daniels says not to carry umbrellas because it would be a safety risk on a trek, especially if it is windy.|

Also Read: Ditching jeans this monsoon? Experts share tips on styling different types of bottom wear

Make a First aid kit
While going on a trek, it is necessary to carry a medical kit because it is always possible to get an injury while hiking. "One of the most common injuries are ankle sprains so prepare for that. Carrying a crepe bandage along with a small medical kit help. Also, it is important for people to stay hydrated," Daniels explains.

Fernandes adds that having people on the trek who have medical knowledge is always helpful. Even if one doesn't, they can easily sign up a basic course available in the city because that will always come in handy as a life skill.

Carry ID and inform people about your location
Carrying personal identification is important so that people with you have all the details including name, emergency contact number, blood group and in case you have any medical conditions, that are necessary to know about in case of an unfortunate incident. Apart from having them on you, Daniels suggests informing people where you are going, with whom you are going and when should they be expecting you, so in case there is a delay, your loved ones know they have to get in touch with somebody who is with you. "Personally, I share my GPS location with my family for an extreme layer in case network is bad," he adds. While we may not always have network going into the new area, Fernandes suggests sharing the phone number of the guide because they will definitely have connectivity.

Wear proper footwear
Wearing a proper pair of shoes is the most important yet the most underrated aspect of trekking because a lot of people don't invest in good footwear for the trek. "People generally tend to get an old pair of shoes for their hike because they think it's going to get dirty. The problem with that is that these shoes are generally in bad condition and are already worn out and when you put them on a hike, you're really putting them through hell," explains Daniels. "At least three out of 10 times, I will have people in running shoes, whose soles are completely coming off and then we have to like figure out how they're going to do the rest of the hike," he adds.

So, the city-based hiker says it is important for people to check their shoes before leaving the house so that they don't open up while they are on the trek. He also recommends getting full-ankle shoes to avoid spraining one's ankle. Even if one isn't a frequent trekker and so doesn't want to invest in proper gear, Fernandes has a solution. There are plenty of other options. "There are many renting companies now for you to rent from. People also underestimate the power of borrowing. Till date, if I think it's something I will use once a year, I just don't buy it. I have another friend who has it and we all circulate it amongst us."

Wear clothes that dry fast
People should wear dry-fit clothes when going on a hike because that will help the clothes dry faster. However, it is not ideal to wear jeans because once they get wet, they get heavy, tight and uncomfortable making it difficult to move freely, especially while making bigger leaps. Cotton is also not advisable as it soaks water and may make it difficult to hike. "Be conscious about the clothes you wear so that it doesn't shock the community who live on the route of your trek because they aren't used to seeing people as much since they live remotely in the forest," he explains. At the same time, it is important to not play loud music or litter the place so that their home isn't a mess.

While Daniels is personally comfortable with wearing shorts because he doesn't mind the scratches and brushing with plants, Fernandes vows by long pants. "The long pants are not to keep your legs dry but actually to make sure that there aren't any external factors like insects or plants that make you uncomfortable that are a problem to you. So, they are essential especially when you don't know the flora and fauna of the area," he adds.

Invest in a trekking pole
Last but not the least is investing in a trekking pole. One of the other aspects of trekking, says Fernandes, that people often take for granted is the use of the poles and their subsequent benefit. "If one has expendable income, then it is a good idea to invest in trekking poles because it saves a lot of energy and makes a huge difference to the trekking experience," he adds, while say it is multi-purpose and should be one that people should invest in and it is important because all that matters is one's own trekking experience.