1. Be a Nature Lover. If you are true traveller at heart, you would probably not be in favour of adulterating the purity of remote, far-off places. While trekking, I have noticed travellers throwing plastics and subconsciously littering the trails.
Keep in mind to take an extra bag to keep all your dirty and environmental UNFRIENDLY stuffs to put in and dispose after you hike is over.
2. Be Cautious. There will an obvious urge to touch beautiful flowers and exotic flora. And after you pluck it, you need to smell it. But DO NOT. They can put your holiday in danger as well as your life.
Do not touch/smell/eat anything from the wild known/unknown to you.
3. Use a backpack positively. There will always be one person in the team who dislikes carrying a backpack or a rucksack for trekking because it is strenuous. WRONG. At high altitudes, your weight decreases, inconspicuous but measurable which tends to make you feed giddy. A moderately heavy backpack will help you keep your balance while you climb to the zenith.
Pack wisely.
4. Don't under estimate the weather. The weather at high altitudes are aberrant. It might seem nice and bright through the morning but mostly late mornings are rainy or at the least cloudy accompanied by chilly gusts of wind.
Carry your raincoat or umbrella and a cover for your backpack if not waterproof.
5. Beware of leeches! High altitude moist forests have a high population of leeches. Be sure to carry salt or tobacco to repel them. You could crush some tobacco leaves and put it in your shoes to keep the bloody nuisance away.
And not just leeches, beware of the habitat and plan better.
6. Use you nose, not your mouth. We have a natural tendency of breathing through mouth after being exhausted. Little do we know that breathing through your mouth exhausts you more. It is always better to breathe through your nose and talk less. Yes, talking less helps you preserve your energy as well the natural calmness of nature.
Take lesser and smaller breaks; Breathe through your nose. You'd reach your destination faster and feel less exhausted.
7. The Snow. One of your most likely obstacles will be patches of snow on your way. If you are not wearing proper shoes (spiked shoes), its better to deviate. Avoid that patch of snow if you don't want to slip, because you will and you don't want that at high altitudes. The alpine mosses are of great help in here. They are strong you can totally rely on them if you have to climb the walls to avoid snow.
Trust the little moss. They will pull you to the majestic view on top.
8. Stories of the Past, ah! One of the best things in the world of travelling is knowing the places from the insightful stories of its inhabitants. Give you gadgets a rest and indulge into some listening. You might discover amazing facts about your holiday spot.
Most of the places have religious backgrounds and folklore! Have nice time discussing them during campfire.
9. Medicines.. For me. Naahhh! For them.
The people in the mountains are mostly dependent on herbs and natural healers. They requires medicines more than money for chronic diseases. One in a while they might go to the nearest town which is miles away and then get medicines. It is one of the good things that you'd do and would definitely make you feel better. But don't you forget your own first-aid kit!!
Do not forget to pop in some medicines for common illness for the people miles away from the artificial luxuries.
10. Last but not the least! Stick Together. Wait for everyone and travel together. A lovely travel is also about making friends and long lasting memories.
----Happy Backpacking----
