An Unplanned trek is not always the best

Traveling is an escapade. It is a healthy break from daily life. It helps to get involved and live a different life for a while. Therefore, we only strive for chances to go on that amazing jaunt. Having said that, our day-to-day chores keep us away from living that dream. Sometimes despite having planned trips months in advance, it gets scratched due to other commitments. Surprisingly, sometimes a last-minute plan turns out to be a memorable souvenir for life.

An unplanned journey is always the best, they say. Well, this is not applicable to a high-altitude trip. We always iterate, the Himalayas is a whole new world that has its own rules. We as trekkers are bound to obey them. Therefore, any last-minute trek plan may turn into a horrible experience, for these reasons,

1- Wrong information: A last-minute trek registration means booking a week or a few days before the trek starts. One does not get enough time to prepare for the trek. Be it physical or mental or things to carry preparation. There is just not enough time. Lack of preparation of the trek usually means carrying things not specific to the season or trek duration. Sometimes trekkers do not get a windcheater or down jacket for winter treks or carry all of these for a summer trek. Either things miss out or there are many of them, which are not required. Many trekkers are not even aware of the days of the trek, the itinerary, and the trekking hours per day. Lack of knowledge causes panicking during the trek or arguing for all the wrong reasons.

It is no rocket science that walking in the mountains is more strenuous than walking at sea level. A strong physical preparation is walking effortlessly at high altitude else it is a thousand times extra painful. A tired body leads to vulnerable mental strength. This will only make the whole trekking experience an awful memory.

2- Wrong-packed backpack: A backpack is not just to carry your stuff. A perfectly packed backpack acts as a weapon. Preparing backpack within a few days or hours means stuffing things anyhow in the bag leading to a wrong backpack. The results of this misoriented bag are seen while trekking which leads to body pain.

3- Wrong amount of money: The secret to cheap travel is to book your flight or train tickets well in advance. A last-minute plan involves purchasing the expensive transport putting a big shot in your pocket. Basically, you are paying more for an unpleasant journey!

Ideally, a trek must be registered at least 3 months in advance. This gives ample time for researching and buying precise good quality materials. More importantly, it gives more time for fitness training.

In short, act fast, act smart. Work in advance to save money and have fun on your next Himalayan trek!

4- Wrong gear: Lack of information means picking up anything at the last moment. The best example of this, wrong sized shoes! Many times we find trekkers crying in pain due to small-size boots or shoe bites. Before going for a hike, proper testing of the shoes is a must. And this demands time!

Another similar items would be a trekking pole. Many trekkers do not know how to adjust the length and they end up spoiling the pole on the field. Less time and less preparation force them to buy low-quality gear. This wrong then becomes a pain, a hard-learned lesson!