Round The World Tips (Hiking)
RTW Tips (Hiking)
Some travelers would agree that their round the world trip would not be complete without some serious hiking. Catching public transport from town to town is a great experience but until you've hiked off the beaten track you may never really see a country's true beauty. However some forms of Hiking can be dangerous and certain precautions should be observed when embarking on such a voyage. The following information applies mainly to New Zealand as Hiking is a massive part of their culture, therefore a good basis for hiking hints and tips. However the general theme of hike preparation can be applied to any country.
Experience
If you lack Hiking experience it would be wise to start with easy, summer tracks that avoid the mountainous regions. This will give you a good indication as to what level of fitness you are currently at. Many aspects of Hiking can be learnt through experience, but it would help greatly to take along somebody who has been hiking in the conditions you will face in the past. It is recommended that hikers travel in groups of two or more. Remember if you are inexperienced, hiking can be a dangerous pursuit and if the facilities exist you should inform a warden or ranger of your intended route and time plan.
Conditions and Altitude Sickness
In New Zealand weather conditions can vary unpredictably so hikers should be well prepared for environmental shifts. The higher the altitudes you will reach on your hike will also effect the conditions. Tall mountains will get colder as you ascend and can be below freezing even in the summer season. Also the atmosphere thins out at high altitude and can cause altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness. (AMS) Almost everyone who climbs above 4000 metres or more will experience some form of mild symptoms, but descent is an immediate cure for these ailments.
AMS is caused by there being less oxygen in the air and a lower atmospheric pressure. The body can react to this in a series of strange ways: The brain can swell and lungs fill with fluid, and you can even experience uncontrollable passing of wind. Other symptoms include breathlessness, headaches and dizziness, nausea, appetite loss and difficulty sleeping. Rare extreme cases may involve disorientation, loss of balance and the coughing up of pink frothy phlegm.
A golden rule for adjusting to these conditions is not to climb too high, too fast. Above 3000m one should not climb more then 500m a day paying particular attention to 3500m and 4000m altitudes.
Diamox is a drug that can suppress AMS but it is not advisable to take this as it can block the early signs of AMS and lead to a fatal outcome. Staying stationary for a day is a better method, eat high carbohydrate foods and drink at least three litres of water a day. Take paracetemol or aspirin for headaches and descend if AMS symptoms worsen.
Equipment and tips
Some travelers would agree that their round the world trip would not be complete without some serious hiking. Catching public transport from town to town is a great experience but until you've hiked off the beaten track you may never really see a country's true beauty. However some forms of Hiking can be dangerous and certain precautions should be observed when embarking on such a voyage. The following information applies mainly to New Zealand as Hiking is a massive part of their culture, therefore a good basis for hiking hints and tips. However the general theme of hike preparation can be applied to any country.
Experience
If you lack Hiking experience it would be wise to start with easy, summer tracks that avoid the mountainous regions. This will give you a good indication as to what level of fitness you are currently at. Many aspects of Hiking can be learnt through experience, but it would help greatly to take along somebody who has been hiking in the conditions you will face in the past. It is recommended that hikers travel in groups of two or more. Remember if you are inexperienced, hiking can be a dangerous pursuit and if the facilities exist you should inform a warden or ranger of your intended route and time plan.
Conditions and Altitude Sickness
In New Zealand weather conditions can vary unpredictably so hikers should be well prepared for environmental shifts. The higher the altitudes you will reach on your hike will also effect the conditions. Tall mountains will get colder as you ascend and can be below freezing even in the summer season. Also the atmosphere thins out at high altitude and can cause altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness. (AMS) Almost everyone who climbs above 4000 metres or more will experience some form of mild symptoms, but descent is an immediate cure for these ailments.
AMS is caused by there being less oxygen in the air and a lower atmospheric pressure. The body can react to this in a series of strange ways: The brain can swell and lungs fill with fluid, and you can even experience uncontrollable passing of wind. Other symptoms include breathlessness, headaches and dizziness, nausea, appetite loss and difficulty sleeping. Rare extreme cases may involve disorientation, loss of balance and the coughing up of pink frothy phlegm.
A golden rule for adjusting to these conditions is not to climb too high, too fast. Above 3000m one should not climb more then 500m a day paying particular attention to 3500m and 4000m altitudes.
Diamox is a drug that can suppress AMS but it is not advisable to take this as it can block the early signs of AMS and lead to a fatal outcome. Staying stationary for a day is a better method, eat high carbohydrate foods and drink at least three litres of water a day. Take paracetemol or aspirin for headaches and descend if AMS symptoms worsen.
Equipment and tips
- Carry a large scale topographical map, a recent description of your track or route and a compass.
- Find out weather conditions that will effect your route before you set off, in NZ the DOC centre can provide this information.
- Watch the weather as you walk, ascertain if it will be safe to continue.
- Carry water with you if there is none available on your route. Take extra, high energy food : You may be out longer then you plan to be.
- Take layers of clothing to protect you from cold, wind and rain. If you stop walking, put on extra clothing. Synthetic clothing such as nylon, polyester, and polypropylene dries quicker than wool and cotton. Nylon shorts and polyester tee shirts are good for summer hiking, along with polypropylene or merino thermal wear, fleece mid layers, and windproof and rainproof outer layers.
- Take survival bags or a tent fly for emergency shelter. Survival bags are available from outdoors stores.
- In New Zealand you can fill out an intentions card at the nearest DOC Field Centre or a visitor centre; remember to sign out when you return.
posted by urbanlejendz at
05:21
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