Fantastic – you’ve decided to go trekking! Now let us help you prepare for your trek with our comprehensive 5-step guide and trekking tips. This is the second phase of your Adventure Project.
Table of Contents
- Get Your Trek Ready Score
- Prepare Your Trekking Gear
- Get Trek Fit
- Mentally Prepare for Your Trek
- Go Trekking!
1. Get Your Trek Ready Score
We suggest you start by doing the Trek Ready Test, a 15-question quiz across the three categories which will give you a score and an action plan to help you prepare for your trek. This gives you a really quick idea of how ready you are now, and how much you need to do. If needed, you can also re-do the test later to see how you’re progressing.
Download the Trek Ready Cheat Sheet – a quick reference 1-page guide on how to prepare for your trek
or download the Yak Pack for the full step-by-step action plan which includes all our trekking tips.
If you’re new to trekking you might also like our post on trekking for beginners.
If you’ve got a really big project idea then check out How to Start an Adventure Project.
2. Prepare Your Trekking Gear
Know what gear you’ll need and get it ready – check out our online guide on Trekking Gear here where you can read all our tips to:
- get everything on your gear list
- wear in your hiking boots
- try out your gear and check that it’s in good condition
- do a test pack and check the weight
- fine-tune for comfort
- We also have some handy gear lists to download and calculators to work out exactly how much to take. These are based on years of trekking experience where we’ve fine-tuned what we need to take. The benefit of having a good gear list is that you save so much time and angst because it helps you quickly decide what and how much to take – not too much and not too little.
We’re primarily targeting multi-day guided or supported treks where you don’t need to provide your own food and accommodation. Most topics could also be applied to day hikes.
3. Get Trek Fit
Ensure you’re physically fit before you go – check out our online guide on Trek Fitness here where you can read all our tips to:
- work on your cardio fitness
- work on your strength and agility
- work on your balance on uneven terrain
- do some endurance training
- train with your backpack on
These tips are based on general fitness topics. We’re not fitness or medical professionals, so please seek their advice before embarking on a training plan.
We’re primarily targeting multi-day treks which require extra fitness however most topics also apply to day hikes.
4. Mentally Prepare for Your Trek
The biggest key to a successful trek is mental preparation – check out our online guide on Mental Toughness here where you can read all our tips to:
- visualise your adventure – what challenges might there be and how you’ll handle them
- work out how you’ll cope with different living conditions
- if going to high altitude, learn about altitude sickness – how to prevent, symptoms, how to treat
- work out your systems and routines
- build your resilience – what will motivate you when things get tough
We’re primarily targeting multi-day treks which require extra mental toughness however the topics could also apply to day hikes.
5. Go Trekking!
Go trekking! Go to the next phase and check out our tips to ensure you’ll enjoy your adventure.
Disclaimer
The contents and information presented in this guide are based on our own personal experiences and should be referenced as a general information source only. It is not intended to take the place of survivalist, safety, fitness or medical advice from a professional. Any action which is taken based on the contents of this pack, our website or any of its related sites, materials, products or information is to be used solely at your own discretion, risk and liability. You should always consult the appropriate professionals on any matter that is related to your safety, fitness, health and well-being before proceeding with any action. Please see our Website T​erms of Use​ for more detail.