Safety Tips for Trekking in Nepal
Any activity that demands actual physical involvement always comes with a certain amount of risk and trekking is no exception to this. Naturally, when it comes to extremely rugged terrains such as the Nepal Himalaya chances of getting seriously ill or injured are even higher. Therefore, it is advisable for all those who wish to go trekking in Nepal to seriously consider the possible, yet easily avoidable, hazards and to take all safety measures before setting out on their adventure.
Here’s a list of some of the most useful safety tips for trekking in the Nepal Himalayas:
1.Always travel in a group with a company/guide.
Preferably one who knows the local language. One obvious advantage of trekking with an organized group is that the company, if it’s a good one, will arrange everything down to the very last detail and will make sure that a well trained, efficient guide is always keeping an eye on each of the group’s members. So, in case of an unfortunate incident, or even under normal circumstances, the group can rely on the company and its staff for their safety.
2.Get as much information as you can on altitude sickness and ways to avoid it.
Each trekking season in Nepal, a large number of visitors are forced to end their trips because of problems with acclimatization to the altitude. This situation can easily be avoided by listening to instructions given by your guide, if there is one, or by educating yourself on the topic of proper acclimatization ahead of the trip.
3.Follow the basic rules of trekking
a.Clothes and shoes
Wear clothes that are comfortable, lightweight and weather friendly. Shoes are probably the most important factor in deciding how a trip is going to turn out. That is to say, a pair of right sized, comfortable, well worn shoes can really make a difference in your overall experience.
b.Gear, Map
Although Nepal’s tourism infrastructure is far more developed than it was in the 50s, when the country had just been opened to outsiders, it is still highly recommended that you carry all the essential gear while getting around places inside the country.
c.Learn how to walk on particular sections of the trail
Trails in the Nepal Himalayas are predominantly steeper than any other hikes on the planet. In fact, most popular routes are among the highest and steepest on earth. But that also doesn’t mean they aren’t accessible to all. They are. Only, one must be very careful while using these routes.
d.Follow government rules
Almost every hiking trail in Nepal is well looked after by government regulated national parks and conservation area projects. So, it’s a good idea to follow the rules and instructions laid out by these government bodies as they provide invaluable information about that particular region.
e.Greet
Greet everyone you meet on the trail with a smile. It’s a backpacker’s way of collecting information.
f.Keep track of the time and plan your day ahead in case you’re not sufficiently prepared to spend the night outside.
4.Have the essential outdoors survival kit within your reach at all times.
This includes:
a.First aid
b.Food and water
c.Appropriate clothing
d.Utilities such as Penknife, Whistle, Compass, Map, Mobile phone (with important numbers already saved)