Disappearing out into the wilderness is many peoples idea of heaven but without taking the necessary precautions you can soon fall foul of all that the elements can throw at you. If you are planning a trip out into the wilds of wooly think again, as there is a lot more to it than a sturdy pair of boots, although they are essential as you will see. Here is our guide to ensuring you take the best possible precautions regarding your health when going on a long trek.
you can live without food for quite a while, you can NOT live without water. Reservoir bladders are the best method of carrying water, and the lightest – Cotswold Outdoor has a selection. Choose a material rather than a plastic one so it doesn’t split or crack. Nobody should wander off without some kind of map or compass so plan your route to ensure you have sources of water along the way, especially if you are camping out and haven’t got a base you are trekking from, and back to, on a daily basis.
Invest is a satellite phone so you can summon help if you have an accident and suffer an injury that effects your mobility. If you fall in the middle of nowhere where there is no mobile signal then your chances of being rescued are remote to say the least. Even experienced hikers can come a cropper, so be sensible and make sure you have contact with the outside world should the worst case scenario occur.
This would seem like a no brainer but the fact that so many are struck down by hypothermia or heatstroke tells us differently. A hat is a necessity whatever weather you are trekking in as it protects you from the sun in summer and keeps the heat in in winter. If you are going out in the summer don’t be tempted to wear sandals as this can lead to a whole host of problems not to mention they don’t give your feet the support when walking long distances. Wear something over the back of your neck too to protect yourself from heatstroke. Those Foreign Legion guys wore those funny hats for a reason!
Unless you are an amateur Bear Grylls and can produce food out of nowhere then a food supply is a must. Nuts, bananas and carbs will all give you energy without making you feel sluggish. Check out what is readily available in the area you are trekking to ensure those tasty looking berries won’t fell you with stomach cramps or poisoning. Living off the land can be a lot of fun if you do your research and find out exactly what is safe to eat and what isn’t.
Insect repellent, spare socks, sunblock and matches are all essential items when going on a long trek. The matches will light the fire you may need to boil water before you drink it if it comes from a dodgy source the rest are common sense.