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Take a leisurely stroll through the damp, ancient forest, gazing up at the canopy of old trees, follow the gentle stream in search of a cascading waterfall, and climb to the highest mountain peak to feel small amidst the vast wilderness. In remote places with limited resources—from simple or nonexistent shelters to lack of toilets, and sometimes having to bring your own water and food—everything in the high mountains and deep forests is simply peaceful and serene.
Everything in the high mountains and deep forests is peaceful.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS
In Vietnam, there are many different hiking and mountain climbing routes, suitable for everyone, regardless of their needs, desires, or fitness levels. Choosing easier routes also ensures you don't miss out on beautiful scenery, wildlife, and opportunities to connect with nature. So, don't underestimate your abilities and jump straight into difficult challenges. Take some time to ask yourself the following questions:
- What is your level of experience with hiking or mountain climbing? Are you a regular hiker or is this your first time?
- How much equipment, food, and water can you carry in your backpack? And how long can you carry that backpack for?
- Are you fit enough to hike through the entire forest you want to explore? Have you tried hiking up and down steep hills? Do you find it more comfortable walking on paved roads?
- Have you ever taken a leisurely walk in the forest before? The environmental conditions—temperature and humidity—in the forest are very different from where you live, and your body needs time to adjust.
The children participated in a hiking trip in Ta Giang. Before the trip, they had been taken camping and had several short forest excursions during the day.
Therefore, you should choose a route that suits you so you can comfortably enjoy the scenery while walking, without having to worry about your feet and the ground. Some people also like to conquer challenges, but be careful not to push yourself beyond your physical limits. Prepare yourself mentally to face challenges so you can discover the beauty of nature, not compete to see who can go further and harder.
PLAN CAREFULLY FOR YOUR MOUNTAIN TRIP
Planning is a crucial step in preparing for an adventure. If you're going to a remote area and encounter unexpected dangers or emergencies, you need to know how to handle them. If you've never been in the forest before, ask experienced people like local tour guides, group leaders, or forest managers for information to prepare for your trip. Your safety is the responsibility of the forest manager, so don't worry, just ask thoroughly.
Gathering information and listening to the advice of experienced people is essential.
Choose a route that suits you and your group so that everyone can complete the journey safely and enjoy the trip as comfortably as possible. In particular, if you have any health issues, please inform your travel companions directly.
You should share your travel plans with your family and friends. Include a detailed itinerary, contact information for fellow travelers, and emergency contact information. This will be helpful in search and rescue efforts if anything goes wrong.
Hiking groups also prepare themselves with basic knowledge about weather forecasting, first aid, and what to do if they get separated from the group. All of this is to prevent members from panicking when problems arise.
If the route includes streams or rain, choose appropriate clothing and pack items in bags to prevent them from getting wet.
Check the weather before you go hiking in the mountains; if the weather isn't ideal, stop or prepare yourself mentally for it. Pack well for hot weather with water, cool clothes, and sun protection. For rainy weather, pack your belongings in plastic bags, bring a raincoat, and extra clothes. Ensure you're in good health, gradually acclimatize to the weather, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, and avoid overexertion.
WHAT ITEMS SHOULD I BRING?
Ten essential items for a jungle trek include: maps (electronic, compass, GPS), sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, hat), thermal wear (jacket, hat, gloves, raincoat, and thermal shirt), lighting (flashlight, headlamp, flashlight), first aid kit, personal medications, repair kit (knife, scissors, tape), and shelter (tents, tents, mats). Depending on the trip, prepare items or share supplies within the group. In addition, water and food require special attention.
Items needed for a hiking or mountain climbing trip.
If walking in hot weather or on steep trails, carry more water than usual and divide your water intake appropriately throughout the journey. Knowing about water sources along the way will help reduce the need to carry extra water, but you need to know how to handle them properly.
Depending on how long you'll be hiking in the mountains, pack enough food for yourself and your group. Choose nutritious, lightweight foods for main meals. Also, include snacks along the way to provide energy, such as biscuits, candy, and cereals.
Shoes are also an important choice to consider. Choose the right type for walking, depending on the route you're taking (stream crossing, mountain climbing, desert...). Running shoes, sandals, sneakers, etc., are not ideal choices. Shoes with grippy soles and high ankles are recommended to protect your ankles. Finally, you should wear shoes that are 0.5-1 size larger.
You need to bring all the necessary equipment, water, and food to make the trip as smooth as possible.
Backpacks designed for hiking and mountaineering need padded shoulder straps to prevent shoulder pain. They should also have a breathable back panel and hip support. Specialized backpacks offer greater comfort and stability on your back compared to standard backpacks.
Wear breathable, quick-drying clothing for hot weather. In cold weather, choose to wear multiple layers so you can remove layers when it gets hot or add more when it gets cold to avoid thermal shock. Bring insect repellent and thick socks to reduce blisters.
BE A SMART MOUNTAIN EXPLORER
Find out information about your destination and the weather to pack the best supplies. Avoid bringing too much or too many items for your trip.
In a group, let the slowest person lead to set the pace for the whole group, ensuring everyone stays together and doesn't stray too far apart. Although it might take longer to reach the destination, staying together reduces the chance of someone getting lost and ensures that someone can help if injured.
Even if the health of the group is uneven, and even if an incident occurs, the first thing to do is remain calm and find the best way to resolve the situation.
Monitor your time and distance to take appropriate rest stops or avoid overexertion. Uphill terrain takes almost twice as long as downhill. However, in some cases, especially for those with health issues like knee problems, downhill descents may be slower than uphill ascents. Therefore, understanding the terrain is crucial.
During a trek or mountain climb, frequent rests help prevent your body from being pushed to its limits. Don't try to keep up with someone fitter than you. Also, keep in touch while you're hiking; this will help you find a pace that suits you. Groups should eat and drink lightly along the way, as the journey consumes more energy than usual. Drink before you get thirsty and have light snacks like biscuits and cereals to maintain your energy levels.
Every effort will yield results commensurate with the effort you put in.
Watch your step carefully as you tread on slippery ground. Your hands may also accidentally grab onto thorns or sharp grass. When crossing a stream, check if it's too deep or slippery; use a rope or stick for support to maintain your balance and avoid falling.
This article only summarizes essential points; many things you must research and choose for your trip yourself. Most importantly, you should travel with someone experienced in mountainous and forested areas to ensure your safety. At the same time, maintain an optimistic attitude when facing unfamiliar experiences and challenges; all efforts will be rewarded.
