How to Prepare for a Trek
Are you hungry for adventure? Warm, sunny days are back, ushering in the hiking and trekking season. Where will you go? When? How? For how long? With whom? When planning a multi-day hike, there are so many questions to be addressed, so you’ll have a great—and safe—outing. Here, we’ll help you answer all your trip-prep questions!
Step 1: Figure out key details for your hiking trip
First, you need to ask yourself, “What do I feel like doing?” Your desires and motivations will define your hiking plans and shape how you prepare. Nothing’s impossible; you just need an organized approach! Each itinerary can be tackled in countless ways, making the experience entirely your own. How you plan your days out on the trail, the hiking gear you bring, and your approach to water and food will all depend on what you want from your journey. Like an artist, you’ve got to imagine your finished painting before you can start mixing colors!
When do you want to leave?
Winter hikes call for a different kind of planning than summer hikes. Based on the season in which you intend to travel, you’ll want to adapt your approach to gear and food prep, as well as energy management.
What will the environment be like?
Beyond weather and time of year, environmental conditions are a key factor to consider for trip logistics. Whether you’ll be out at sea, roaming the desert, or making your way up into the alpine, every landscape presents its own unique characteristics and weather patterns.
- In deserts, for instance, diurnal temperature variations (night vs. day) can be significant.
- Up in the mountains, sunny skies can morph into a storm in a heartbeat.
So it’s important to be familiar with the local climate as well as the weather forecast. Think about sun exposure, temperatures, humidity levels, winds, plus flora and fauna. A stunning lake might be magical during the day, but turn into Mosquito Capital at dusk!
How long do you want to be gone?
Just a weekend? A few days, or maybe weeks? The duration of your trip will be a determining factor as you get organized. Total trip length will depend on things like distance, steepness, and terrain, as well as your expected pace. Allowing yourself some wiggle room in the plan is also critical, as you might have to contend with bad weather and fatigue—or you may want to stay in one place for longer than intended.
What is your rout like?
Obviously, total distance and elevation gain are key parameters when planning your trip. So make sure to take a close look at the route. Once you are familiar with the elevation profile, you can be strategic about the way you organize your hiking days. It’s important to note specific features and challenges ahead of time, as some days you’ll cover more ground, while others will involve more climbing but less distance.You also want to consider terrain, as trails can be smooth and gradual or steep and rugged, sometimes with exposure, all of which will affect your pace. Lastly, identify water supply points and key stops before you leave: creeks or other water sources, huts and lodges, camping spots, etc.
What is your plan for overnights?
A critical factor in planning a multi-day hike is where you intend to sleep: will you camp, or stay in a hut or lodge? This will dictate which equipment you need, in terms of camping gear, food and kitchen supplies, and even personal hygiene items. Do you need a tent? A camping stove? What about breakfast, lunch and dinner? Do you need to pack all your meals, or just a snack for lunch? Needless to say, your pack can easily triple in volume depending on your choice of accommodation.
Who are you going with?
At the end of the day, your itinerary needs to factor in the people you’ll be hiking with. Make sure to work around your group’s abilities and wants, in terms of pacing and difficulty, and think about each person’s experience when it comes to camping, planning food and water, and distributing gear. For example, if you’re heading out with kids, plan to carry their gear, and figure out what they’ll need to eat and when you think they’ll get tired.
Step 2: Prepare your gear
Once you’ve set an itinerary and dates, you’ll begin to have a better sense of the gear, clothes, and food required. Don’t wait until the last minute to pack your bag! Starting early will give you more time to decide what you need to bring and what you want to bring. It’s about weighing how heavy something is against how useful it’ll be. Think about both the contents of your bag and the bag itself. Over the course of this adventure, your backpack will be your hiking buddy, your home, and your pantry, so choosing the right pack is key. Your hiking pack needs to meet your needs, it has to be practical and comfortable, and should be suited for the trip you have planned.
Essential gear
On all hiking trips, regardless of the length and location, some gear is essential for safety. The following items can go straight into your bag:
- Headlamp
- First aid kit
- Emergency blanket
- Whistle
- Lighter
- Knife
- Maps, compass, and apps
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses
- A bit of line (or a bit of shoelace, to make small repairs)
- A phone and backup battery
If you are traveling to a foreign country, look up emergency numbers before you leave. You can also carry around a piece of paper with the names of people to contact in the event of an accident, or with important medical information that emergency responders might need. Always carry identification and, if possible, a small amount of cash.
Hiking clothes. Hiking bagsHiking shoes
Clothing
It’s no surprise, the clothing you pack will depend on the length of your trip, the time of year, and the environment you’ll be moving through. No matter where you are headed, we highly recommend opting for comfortable, technical apparel, warm clothes, and waterproof layers that will protect you from the elements. Adopt alayer system, to adapt to all conditions.
- A base layer: light and breathable to wick away sweat
- A midlayer: warm clothes for cold protection (down jacket or fleece)
- An outer layer:a waterproof jacket to protect you from inclement weather (GORE-TEX or hardshell)
- A hiking pant (find out how to choose your hiking pant )
- Technical underwear and bras
- Socks
We recommend packing at least two base layers (bottoms and tops) for a five-day hiking trip. It’s important to always have a dry change of clothes; you might need it.
Accessories
To make sure you are as safe and comfortable as possible, here are a few more essential accessories for hikers:
- Hiking shoes
- Gloves
- Beanie, hat, or cap
- Sunglasses
- Hiking poles (Read our article about using your hiking poles )
Backcountry camping gear
If you plan to overnight in the backcountry, you’ll need to pack gear for sleeping and feeding yourself.
- Tent
- Sleeping pad
- Sleeping bag
- Camping shoes or sandals
- Sleeping bag liner
- Camping stove
- Kitchen supplies: bowl, cup, spork, knife, etc.
- Personal care items: soap, microfiber cloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, bug spray, etc.
Opt for light and compressible gear, to optimize space in your pack and travel light. As always, it’s about striking the right balance between weight and comfort. And if you’re travelling with others, coordinate your gear to avoid packing redundant items.
If you prefer to stay in a hut or lodge, find out what is provided in the shelter(s) you selected. Certain locations require only a sleeping bag liner, for example. Some huts operate on a reservation system and fill up quick, so make sure you reserve your spot ahead of time, so you don’t have to sleep on the kitchen floor or even outside! If your plans change, remember to cancel your booking to leave space for other travelers and allow hosts, if it’s a full-service lodge, to better manage their food supply, which is a tricky task in the mountains.
Food and water
Food and water are critical; packing the right amount for each day is important if you want to avoid running out. Don’t underestimate or overlook your needs when it comes to food and water.
Good hydration is also essential, so don’t compromise on water, and be strategic; identify locations in which you’ll be able to resupply and plan your trip accordingly, figuring out your water needs for each stage of the hike. How much you need will depend on factors such as the difficulty of the trail, elevation, weather and climate.
If you plan to be fully self-sufficient, you’ll need to prepare all your meals. Prioritize food with a high weight-to-energy ratio so you can meet your daily requirements without weighing yourself down too much. Freeze-dried meals are great for this! They come in bags that are easy to carry, a piece of cake to make (just add water) and designed to provide all the nutrients your body needs. They can also provide variety on a multi-day hiking trip. Commercially-available dehydrated meals do tend to be expensive, however, so you may opt to make your own at home.
Generally speaking, it’s best to go with starches (rice, pasta, grains, etc.)—a great fuel for endurance activities—as well as legumes (lentils, chickpeas, split peas, etc.), nuts (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, etc.) and dried fruits, which help boost energy and are deliciously sweet! Be careful not to overeat or load up on fatty foods because, paradoxically, digesting them will sap your energy. Tips from our team:
- Store snacks in easy-access pockets (backpack hip pockets)
- Bring tea (herbal and others)
- Remember to pack seasonings in little baggies (salt, pepper, cumin, cinnamon, etc.)
- Bring food you love—tasty treats are always a morale booster!
- Make sure to include some variety in your menu too, so you enjoy the food and don’t have to force it down!
- Consider packing supplements and powders (spirulina, protein mix, etc.)
If your hike involves stopovers in huts or lodges, find out what services they provide, and whether there will be food and water.
Step 3: Pack your bag
You’ve planned your route and gathered everything you need for the hike—now it’s time to fit it all in your bag! Choosing a backpack for a multi-day hike is no small decision; for the duration of your trip, your pack will essentially be your home. It has to contain everything you’ll need, while allowing you to move as freely as possible. Make sur the bag is well-adjusted to your body, with the weight evenly distributed throughout. For more information, take a look at our article, “How to Properly Pack Your Hiking Backpack.”
Last step: Set off with peace of mind
You’re ready to go! Goal #1: have fun while staying safe! Here are a few final tips to consider before you hit the trails:
- Check that you’ve packedeverything you need.
- Notify your loved ones; tell them when you are leaving and share your itinerary with them.
- Save or write down any important phone numbers and addresses.
- Think about any electronics you are bringing: are the batteries charged?
- Check the weather forecast.
- Get information from locals.
Now it’s time to go on an adventure and feel good! There are so many benefits to hiking, whether they are mental or physical. Days out on the trail are an opportunity to get away from your daily routine, instead reconnecting with nature and with your loved ones. Take a moment to look around, take in smells, feel the space around you. Move at your own pace, in harmony with your surroundings.